The Maple Ridge Agricultural Association was created in 1901 to encourage the development of agriculture and to promote "mechanical & household arts".

Olive Esther Leaf (nee Mccormick) was born in Saskatchewan on October 28, 1901, later relocating to British Columbia. She married Thomas Leaf in Fort Langley in 1924. The couple had settled in Whonnock, where Olive became a life-long community activist. She was deeply involved with the Women's Institute and Whonnock Hall, also participating in the Whonnock and Maple Ridge fairs. Olive and Thomas were well-known congregants at the United Church in Whonnock and became a central member of the community.

Olive died in Maple Ridge on November 2, 1995.