Haliburton Community Organic Farm

Haliburton Community Organic Farm
The vision of a successful organic farm and community education centre is taking shape on land once identified for residential development. Truly an exemplary illustration of a Conservation Partner – this farm is protecting biodiversity, supporting agricultural diversity and engaging with the community about this ‘agroecosystem’. One of the primary tenets of the Farm is that small scale, organic farming is compatible with maintaining and restoring ecosystem health.



Haliburton farmers
Address:
741 Haliburton Road
Victoria, BC
V8Y 1G7


Phone:
(250) 658-0758

Email:
info@haliburtonfarm.org

Website:
www.haliburtonfarm.org


Produce grown: When it’s Available: Where to buy our product:
Salad greens, garlic, winter squash, fava beans, kale, carrots, eggplant, potatoes, radishes, cucumbers, free-range duck eggs, fennel, parsley, green onions, cabbage, leeks, peas, spinach, rosemary, bay leaves, dried spices, dried beans, kale, peppers, chard, flower bouquets, lavender, vegetable and flower seeds and seedlings and more! Seasonally Farm store 11-5 Wed & Sat
CSA or Community Supported Agriculture program
Local restaurants
Moss street Market
Island Chef Collaborative Market
(Every Wed from 1-3 there is a Farm Tour)

More Information:
Tucked right into the neighbourhood of Cordova Bay you can stumble across the buzz of activity at Haliburton Farm. This farm is comprised of 9.3 acres of ALR land and was protected by the Municipality of Saanich and concerned residents in 2002. The Haliburton Community Organic Farm Society was then established to provide ongoing support and stewardship of the farm. The Society went about rezoning the site to a new zone called the ‘Rural Demonstration Farm Zone’. The farm contains an underground water reservoir, a second growth forested area on the southern border, a fruit orchard on the northern end, cultivated areas in the centre and a wetland in the north eastern corner.

Haliburton is doing an Urban Biodiversity Project which was initiated in 2007 by volunteers from the School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria. Since then the project has grown to include volunteers from the Victoria Natural History Society, biological consultants, landscape professionals and members of the public. In 2007-2008 grant funds were used to buy materials for bird boxes, a bat box, salamander boards, snake cairns and funds went towards the purchase of a green house. The bird boxes were installed as there is a paucity of cavity nesting sites in the area. A total of 13 bird boxes were built and all were occupied, exhibiting the need for nesting spots. The Society plans to increase biodiversity values over the next five years using various enhancement techniques.

There are two farming enterprises on the land now – ElMarie Roberts who is there for her second year with her partner Marty Snow whose speciality is flowers. The other two farmers are Ray and Heather Robinson. The third parcel of farmland will be worked by a Farm Manager as both a teaching and demonstration area.
The farm currently provides public education tours and work parties and has the infrastructure and capacity to hold public education events. Haliburton Community Organic Farm will be a demonstration site, not only for organic and sustainable farming practices, but also for natural systems restoration in the area surrounding the farm.

Volunteers are welcome Wednesday afternoons 1-4pm and the second Saturday of each month from 10-2pm. See you on the Farm!