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Galey Farms, Saanich
A major supplier of fruits and vegetables on Vancouver Island, Galey Farms believe in conservation and sustainable agriculture to keep families healthy. Agri-tourism and education are important too, so visit their corn maze or take a farm tour to see the stream restoration project.
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Photo Credit: Aqua-Tex Scientific Consulting |
Contact: Address: Phone: (250)883-2979
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Produce Grown: Warba Potatoes, Onions Carrots, Corn Squash Berries Eggs
Wide variety of other Market vegetables |
When it’s available: Galey Farm Market mid-May to Oct 31 Open 10 – 6 pm daily |
Where to buy our product: Country Grocer Fairways Peppers Market on Yates Food Forum |
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More Information: In 1932, Don Galey began clearing land in Cordova Bay and planted his first crops. In 1983, Don’s sons Ray and Gordon moved their egg and vegetable farm to the Blenkinsop Valley. Ray’s son Robert soon joined him and they began expanding the land base of their vegetable operation and to include berries. Despite expansion, Ray has protected large groves of Garry Oaks.
The Galey Family puts pride, skill and care into all it grows. When asked about their philosophy toward the co-existence of natural habitat and agriculture, they state that by restoring and enhancing the natural habitat in the Blenkinsop Valley, the sustainability of both agriculture and the land is enhanced. The Galeys, together with the District of Saanich and the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, worked to restore approximately 700 meters of upper Blenkinsop Creek on their Farm. Aqua-Tex Scientific Consulting Ltd was hired to design and implement a restoration plan in 2001-2003, involving several financial partners and volunteers. The project won the 2002 FCM-CH2M Hill Environmental Award – the top ecological award in Canada.
Two fields which frequently flooded were previously divided by a ditch. The project relocated and restructured a channel along the west edge of the farm, and replanted it with native riparian vegetation, allowing the Creek to access its natural floodplain. Now, nearly 2 hectares of the 25-hectare farm is riparian-wetland habitat restoration. The channel realignment has allowed Galey Farms to utilize a single irrigation system (instead of two separate systems) and to use one access road. Three bridges, formerly required fto access the western field, have been removed. This has increased the land under cultivation by approximately 7%. The completed project assisted the urban community by enhancing flood water storage for the homes and businesses located between the Blenkinsop Valley and Swan Lake. As well, by moving the creek alongside the Lochside Trail, new public viewpoints were added to take advantage of the spectacular views of the both the natural areas and the farming operation. The green heron nests along the trail and feeds in the creek. The replanting program has significantly enhanced native plant species. River otter, muskrat, turtles, waterfowl, dragonflies and an array of birds have been observed post-construction. The Galeys have observed that the maturation of the riparian vegetation has contributed to their long-term Integrated Pest Management Program, resulting in reduced pesticide applications as bird populations increase. |
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