The vegetable production component of this farm was started in 1996. Organic certification from NOOA (North Okanagan Organic Association) was applied for and, gradually, 18 acres were brought into production servicing markets and wholesale customers in Vancouver, Kamloops, Kelowna, Coquitlam and locally here in Sorrento and area. This land has supported a variety of crops from arugula to zucchini and is well suited for carrot, onion, beet and root crops.
In 2008 we opened our seasonal plant nursery. With one of our high tunnels devoted to customer sales and one to production, the nursery became an important factor in season extension. It provided early income as well as all the transplants necessary for our vegetable production.
This farm supported our family and 5 full time seasonal workers as well as being hosts to many WWOOF participants and overseas students.
As part of our full farm operation we also raised a small herd of beef cattle, milk goats, pigs and chickens with much of their feed being grown on farm by a contract farmer. That farmer is still with me, managing the hay and forage fields. There is also a local bee keeper with hives on the west fence line providing pollination support for the fields. As I no longer have livestock, a 20 acre section of pasture/woodlot is being grazed by my neighbours cattle. The land has several soil types and features for production including the black loam flats between the road and the tracks, the benches (across Notch Hill Rd) of upland south facing stony, silt loam that has been used for alfalfa mix hay and pasture. Orchards would be am excellent option for the upper benches.
The farm was first settled and the barn and house built in the early 1900s, with a dairy being established and operating as a dairy farm through the early decades.
Water for the fields is supplied from the creek and the line runs to 3 hydrants. We use a small reel as well as a drip system. The farm holds first water rights on Broderick Creek.