Island Farm & Garden Agritour: Vancouver Island
2
T ourists from all over the world will enjoy Vancouver Island, which is located on the West Coast of Canada. A 1.5 hour ferry ride from Vancouver; it is 460km long and 80km wide, roughly the same size as Taiwan. 800,000 people live on the island, with half of the population in the southernmost city and provincial capital, Victoria. Other major urban centres include Duncan (pop. 43,000) Nanaimo (pop. 80,000) and Courtenay (pop. 55,000). Wildlife includes deer, whales, bears, eagles, swans and rac- coons — to name just a few. e island straddles the 49th parallel and has a relatively warm, wet climate. Win- ter temperatures average +5 to -1˚C and summer is a balmy 20–25˚C. It is oſten described as the most temperate place in Canada, with little or no snowfall and spring flowers and green grass as early as February. is makes for excellent growing conditions, and there are many farms, orchards and vineyards scattered across the main island and the adjoining gulf islands. ere are over 30 wineries that offer tours and tast- ings, as well as cider houses and microbrewer- ies. ere is a very active farm market culture, with dozens of seasonal markets and several year round markets. Island chefs favour local- ly grown produce in their cuisine, and tourists will enjoy seasonally inspired dishes created with super fresh ingredients bought at the market or direct from the farm. Pasture raised and hormone free beef, pork, lamb and chicken are produced on the Island, as well as artisan cheeses and naturally smoked sausages. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables are available, from blueberries to figs and garlic to hazelnuts. ere are wild mushrooms to be found in the old growth forests, and one can even take a guided picking tour (seasonal). Seafood lovers can enjoy fresh mussels, clams, oysters, scallops, prawns and wild salmon. There are four main agricultural areas on Vancouver Island: e Saanich Peninsula covers the southern end of the Is- land and is home to several award winning wineries. Guests will enjoy the world famous Butchart Gardens and gently sloping fields with views of the Gulf Islands and coastal waters. Historic Victoria is just a few minutes’ drive south, or bike the famous Galloping Goose trail into town. e Cowichan Region is north of Victoria, and south of Nanaimo. is area boasts dozens of wineries, and guests can cycle or even travel by horseback to visit the vineyards and gardens. ere are beautiful Bed & Breakfasts lining the wine routes, and some guest facilities invite you to bring 日本してください訪問し、ファームでの滞在 Besuchen sie, und übernachten bauernhof Si prega di visitare e agritur Veuillez visiter et séjour à la ferme Por favor visita y estancia an granjas Farm Stays and Agriculture Tours onVancouver Island… You’re invited! AGRITOUR: VANCOUVER ISLAND ISLAND FARM & GARDEN ~ MAY / JUNE 2014 11 Ride our Choo Choo Train and be with the Buffalo up real close. www.Morning Star Bison.com 1-877-945-8282 250-245-8282 Ranch Tours Tasty Lunches Farm Store Meat sales On Southern Vancouver Island 10445 CHEMAINUS RD. CHEMAINUS 250.324.3777 A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BISTRO and ARTISAN MARKET celebrating ISLAND CREATIVITY your pet or your horse (called a Bed and Bale). Many farms open their homes to guests, and offer amenities like free-range eggs for breakfast, a chance to interact with farm animals or to pick your own berries for the morning meal. e Alberni Valley connects the east coast of the Island to the west coast, where massive waves invite surfers and storm-watchers for a wild, dramatic travelling experience. e Al- berni Valley has a robust agricultural commu- nity, and a unique opportunity to ride a steam 7 acres of fun! 4613 Yellow Point Road 250.245.0666 McNabs Corn Maze.com We look forward to seeing you for some family fun in the country AGRITOUR: VANCOUVER ISLAND
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Farm Stays and Agriculture Tours on Vancouver Island You’re invited! Deutsch: Besuchen sie, und übernachten bauernhof Italia: Si prega di visitare e agritur Francais: Veuillez visiter et séjour à la ferme Espangol: Por favor visita y estancia an granjas 日本してください訪問し、ファームでの滞在
Transcript of Island Farm & Garden Agritour: Vancouver Island
Tourists from all over the world will enjoy Vancouver Island, which is located on the
West Coast of Canada. A 1.5 hour ferry ride from Vancouver; it is 460km long and 80km wide, roughly the same size as Taiwan. 800,000 people live on the island, with half of the population in the southernmost city and provincial capital, Victoria. Other major urban centres include Duncan (pop. 43,000) Nanaimo (pop. 80,000) and Courtenay (pop. 55,000). Wildlife includes deer, whales, bears, eagles, swans and rac-coons — to name just a few.
The island straddles the 49th parallel and has a relatively warm, wet climate. Win-ter temperatures average +5 to -1̊ C and summer is a balmy 20–25˚C. It is often described as the most temperate place in Canada, with little or no snowfall and spring flowers and green grass as early as February. This makes for excellent growing conditions, and there are many farms, orchards and vineyards scattered across the main island and the adjoining gulf islands.
There are over 30 wineries that offer tours and tast-ings, as well as cider houses and microbrewer-ies. There is a very active farm market culture, with dozens of seasonal markets and several year round markets. Island chefs favour local-ly grown produce in their cuisine, and tourists will enjoy seasonally inspired dishes created with super fresh ingredients bought at the market or direct from the farm. Pasture raised and hormone free beef, pork, lamb and chicken are produced on the Island, as well as artisan cheeses and naturally smoked sausages. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables are available, from blueberries to figs and garlic to hazelnuts. There are wild mushrooms to be found in the old
growth forests, and one can even take a guided picking tour (seasonal). Seafood lovers can enjoy fresh mussels, clams, oysters, scallops, prawns and wild salmon.
There are four main agricultural areas on Vancouver Island:The Saanich Peninsula covers the southern end of the Is-land and is home to several award winning wineries. Guests will enjoy the world famous Butchart Gardens and gently sloping fields with views of the Gulf Islands and coastal waters. Historic Victoria is just a few minutes’ drive south, or bike the famous Galloping Goose trail into town.
The Cowichan Region is north of Victoria, and south of Nanaimo. This area boasts dozens of wineries, and guests can cycle or even travel by horseback to visit the vineyards and gardens. There are beautiful Bed & Breakfasts lining the wine routes, and some guest facilities invite you to bring
日本してください訪問し、ファームでの滞在
Besuchen sie, und übernachten bauernhof
Si prega di visitare e agritur
Veuillez visiter et séjour à la ferme
Por favor visita y estancia an granjas
Farm Stays andAgriculture Tours
on Vancouver Island… You’re invited!
AGRITOUR: VANCOUVER ISLAND
Island Farm & Garden ~ may / June 2014 11
Ride our Choo Choo Train and be with the
Bu� alo up real close. www.Morning Star Bison.com1-877-945-8282
250-245-8282
Ranch Tours Tasty LunchesFarm Store Meat sales
On Southern Vancouver Island
10445 CHEMAINUS RD. CHEMAINUS 250.324.3777
A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BISTRO and ARTISAN MARKET celebrating ISLAND CREATIVITY
your pet or your horse (called a Bed and Bale). Many farms open their homes to guests, and offer amenities like free-range eggs for breakfast, a chance to interact with farm animals or to pick your
own berries for the morning meal.
The Alberni Valley connects the east coast of the Island to the west coast, where massive waves invite surfers and storm-watchers for a wild, dramatic travelling experience. The Al-berni Valley has a robust agricultural commu-nity, and a unique opportunity to ride a steam
7 acres of fun! 4613 Yellow Point Road 250.245.0666McNabs Corn Maze.com
We look forward to seeing you for some family fun in the country
AGRITOUR: VANCOUVER ISLAND
Island Farm & Garden ~ may / June 201412
ISLAND BISON.com
eat for the health of it!
BISON Enjoy the great taste and health benefi ts of our free
range, 100% grass fed, hormone and antibiotic
free Bison!
Farm Gate Store3100 Hamm Road
250.650.9305 Black Creek
train to visit a winery, museum and enjoy the view. Some of the best trophy fishing is offered here.
The Comox Valley has a vibrant farmer to chef relationship, and diners will be delighted with the freshness of the cuisine. Many restaurants offer menus that describe the farm where the dish originated, often within only a kilometer or two. Delicious fruit and blackberry wines are created in this area. Excellent golf courses and a ski hill are additional attractions.
A few of the Island’s high points include:• The Island Bison Ranch offers educational farm tours and
tasty bison products from the on-store farm. Located in the Comox Valley.
• Silverside Farm & Winery in the Cowichan Valley has unique berry wines, jams, jellies and frozen yoghurts, picnic tables and a tasting room.
AGRITOUR: VANCOUVER ISLAND
• Pine Ridge RV Park and Farm Market boasts an orchard, gardens and rustic farm market near the Horne Lake Caves and Qualicum Beach.
• Hazelwood Herb Farm in Ladysmith is home to hundreds of herbs set in a display garden; enjoy self-guided tours and a visit to the gift shop.
• The McNab’s invite you to come get lost at McNabs Corn Maze and have some family fun in the country.
• Morning Star Bison Ranch invites you to ride the new choo choo train with Buffalo Bob and see the Buffalo up real close. Located in Nanaimo.
• Arrowvale Campground & Cottage has baby animals in the petting farm and u-pick raspberries in the summer months. Find them In Port Alberni.
• The Dayliner Cafe serves Cowichan Valley wines and craft beers on the deck overlooking the garden. Features local gar-den stand. Situated in Saltair, North of Chemainus.
• Twincreeks offers getaways and workshops at their Bed, Bale & Breakfast in Duncan, near the Kinsol Trestle Bridge.
• Enjoy a good old country fair at the 146th Cowichan Exhibi-tion, September 5–7, 2014 in Duncan, BC.
Farm stays or agritours are generally arranged in one of two ways; either a Bed and Breakfast located on or near a farm, or a Work Away program.
A Bed and Breakfast typically includes a private room and pri-vate bath, perhaps even a separate cottage, and guests are offered a Canadian-style breakfast. (Super fresh food, and lots of it!).
Island Farm & Garden ~ may / June 2014 13
13576 Adshead Rd Ladysmith(250) 245-8007
Herbs for Health, Beauty, Skin Care and Cooking
www.hazelwoodherbfarm.com open daily 11-5
3810 Cobble Hill Rd. Cobble Hill(250) 743-9149 toll free 1-877-743-9149
May: Sat 11 - 4 or by apt. June - August: daily 11 - 6.
www.silversidefarm.com
www.pineridgefarm.ca250-619-8047
FULL HOOK-UP! 30 or 50 AMP SERVICE
AVAILABLE
RV SITES
FULL HOOFFULL HOO
AAAA
SR S S
Farm Market open May10th, 2014
ARROWVALEriverside campground & cottages5955 Hector Rd. Port Alberni250.723.7948
COME STAY WITH US!
May 10: Sheep to Shawl DemoJune/July: Fresh U-pick Raspberries
.CA
TwincreeksBed, Breakfast, & Bale (or cycle)
on the Trans Canada TrailRetreats, Workshops, Horsemanship ClinicsFeaturing “Cowgirl Getaways”Unique, a� ordable, fun!
C’mon over toour place!Deborah & Launie
www.twincreeks.ca4820 Marshall Road, Duncan, BC V9L 6T3
Phone: 250-746-8769 email: [email protected]
AGRITOUR: VANCOUVER ISLAND
Book in advance, stays are usu-ally 2 nights to a week. Longer stays of a month or more can be accommodated, especially off season (October to March). The hosts will help arrange tours of local farms, cheese and wine tastings, horseback riding, or hay rides. Workshops may be offered, including spinning, weaving, cheese-making, can-ning, bread-making or painting. Some farms offer accommoda-tions for people travelling with
horses, and there are excellent riding trails in all areas, as well as access to riding rings and arenas.
A Work Away program generally involves a traveller who is will-ing to work as a farm hand for several hours per day in exchange for room and board. This arrangement generally focuses around a project like painting a barn or planting a crop, or even language tutoring. Hosts provide a private room, and meals are generally shared with the family. The traveller is expected to spend 2 to 4 hours per day assisting with the running of the farm. Work Away is NOT set up to provide cheap labour. It is an exchange in which both parties should benefit. This program is related to WWOOF (world wide organic opportunities on farms), but is more open in terms of the types of projects that may be accomplished.
For more information on these programs, visit www.islandfarmandgarden.ca.
