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Haliburton Community Organic Farm

The vision of a working organic farm and community education centre is taking shape on land once identified for residential development in Saanich. This is a success story of local residents, farmers, and politicians working together to protect valuable farmland. Land with the potential for producing food is being threatened. Vancouver Island is losing its agricultural land to suburban sprawl faster than anywhere else in the province. Even though the island boasts some of the best soil and climate in Canada only 10% of the food we consume is actually grown here.

Haliburton was a farm (formerly Four Winds Farm) within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), owned by the Capital Regional District (CRD) as part of a water reservoir. In 2001, the CRD deemed that some of the reservoir land (approximately 7.2 acres) was surplus, and they made plans for a 26-home subdivision. This prompted a group of concerned citizens to form the Land for Food Coalition (LFFC). After a half year of work, the LFFC, with the Cordova Bay Community Association (CBA), and the support of Saanich council and the mayor, convinced the CRD to reconsider its plans and eventually transfer the surplus land to Saanich.

The Haliburton Community Organic Farm Society (HCOFS) was established to provide ongoing stewardship of the farm. The farm is becoming a welcoming, active place that grows organic food and demonstrates organic agricultural practices. Through tours, classes and outreach programs it will also be an important education centre and a cherished gathering place for the local community. There is much work still to be done to make the vision a reality and we invite all residents of the Capital Region to pitch-in and help with this exciting ‘farm raising’!

One of our primary objectives is to address local food security issues through education and active community involvement in organic farming. We work closely with local residents, organizations, and government bodies. In particular, we are working with established organic farmers and farming organizations to guide our work.

The Haliburton Community Organic Farm will be a functional organic farm that will grow organic food, demonstrate organic agricultural practices, and provide educational opportunities for the entire community. The Farm plans to serve as an example of economically viable, sustainable, small scale farming. Two organic farmers will each work a section of the land for their livelihoods, and the Society will mentor new growers in a third, instructional area. The Farm will be a model of environmental stewardship, as forest and seasonally wet areas will be protected and enhanced, the orchard will be restored, and water will be used responsibly. Volunteers host tours and work parties at the farm on the second Saturday of every month.

For more information:
Email: info@haliburtonfarm.org
Web: www.haliburtonfarm.org
Tel: 658-0758

Story by Kevin Weir

May 1, 2005