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, tomatoes, 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, peppers, chard, flower bouquets, lavender, vegetable and flower seeds and seedlings and more! Seasonally (May to October)

On the farm (Check website for days and hours)

CSA vegetable box program
Local restaurants
Moss Street Market
Island Chef Collaborative Market

More Information:
Tucked right into the urban neighbourhood of Cordova Bay you can stumble across the buzz of activity known as 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. Saanich re-zoned this land to unique designation known as “Rural Demonstration Farm Zone”.  The Haliburton Community Organic Farm Society was established to lease the land from Saanich and provide ongoing support and stewardship of the farm.

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 restored wetland and Garry Oak meadow in the north eastern corner.

In 2007, an Urban Biodiversity Project was initiated at Haliburton 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 community members. So far this Project has built and installed bird boxes, bat boxes, mason bee boxes, salamander boards and snake cairns. They are also working to restore the wetland and adjoining Garry Oak meadow on the Farm.

The Society rents land to three farm businesses. Sunbird Farms (Elmarie Roberts and Marty Snow) grow vegetables, herbs, berries and lovely flowers for bouquets. H&R Veggies (Ray and Heather Robinson) focus on vegetables, herbs and free-range duck eggs. Terralicous Gardening and Cooking School (Dayle Cosway) offers a series of fun, educational and health-oriented classes for both children and adults as well as contributing to the produce sold by the Farm.

The remaining land is used by the Society as a teaching garden. Community members are welcome to volunteer at the Farm and learn about organic food production. The land also serves as a training ground for an annual apprentice to learn and practice market gardening from ‘seed to sale’.

If you want to enjoy some fresh, organic produce, learn more about organic food production, on-farm biodiversity, get your hands dirty or just enjoy watching the plants grow, come visit our Farm or attend our work parties held from March to October, Wednesdays 1 – 4pm and the second Saturday of each month from 10 – 2pm (potluck lunch). Farm tours are available upon request. See our web site for more information.