Beaver Meadow Farms

Beaver Meadow Farms, Comox
This third generation farm has been operated by the Smith family for over 80 years. They use a natural system of farming which has earned the farm the Certified Heritage Dairy designation.
Contact:
Edgar, Doug & Philip Smith

Address:
Beaver Meadow Farms
1821-E Anderton Road
Courtenay, BC
V9M 4B1

Phone:
(250) 339-2913
Fax:
(250) 339-4057

Email:
cheese@naturalpastures.com
falkor@mars.ark.com (Wasabi)

Website:
www.naturalpastures.com

Produce grown: When it’s Available: Where to buy our product:
Natural Pastures Cheeses
Nature Spring Wasabi Cranberries
Pastured Beef		 Year Round Year round at retailers in BC.

Farmers Markets on Vancouver Island

Contact the farm about Wasabi, Cranberries (fall only), or to order Beef.

More Information:
This holistically managed farm tackles conservation in many areas. The Smiths’ goal is to create and support a diverse landscape of forest, riparian areas, and grassland which maintain the native integrity of the Upper Little River Basin. The forest is harvested selectively and provides commodities besides timber such as wasabi. Harvesting at a sustainable level ensures the future of this ecosystem. The restored stream habitat supports over 400,000 coho fry – one of the most productive fish habitats on the east coast of Vancouver Island. The Smiths cooperate with the local salmon enhancement society which built and maintains the fish hatchery on the farm at the head of the stream.

The grasslands are the heart of the cattle operation: pastures sustain the cows year-round. Herds are rotated on a sophisticated system of monitoring plant growth and recovery. The cows are noticeably clean and disease-free. Many of the Smiths’ practices contribute to this, including the raised sawdust “highways” that connect all pastures to the milking facilities. No chemical pesticides or herbicides, antibiotics, or growth hormones are used. Fresh milk supplies the production of their fine hand-made, award-winning, Natural Pastures cheeses.

The Smiths use a far more diverse, yet in-depth, level of knowledge than that needed for conventional farming. The results are evident in healthier, sustainable practices and exemplary products.