Makaria Farm in 2007
Brock and Heather bought 10 acres of land in June 2007, moving to Duncan in the Cowichan Valley from Victoria, BC. The land had been used as pasture for many years: the only building was a ramshackle shed at the front of the property.
We brought in hydro, installed a well pump and septic system, and built our future market (and temporary home) that summer, then spent the winter building a deer fence around the property.
Makaria Farm in 2008
We started farming strawberries and vegetables on half an acre in 2008.
With a limited amount of produce, we often sold out at the local farmer’s market in Duncan. We also sold through our farm stand, and ran a small CSA program that fed seven families.
Makaria Farm in 2009
In May we hosted our 1st Annual Organic Tomato Plant Sale, which sold out in two hours.
In 2009 we expanded to farming three acres by selling at two additional farmer’s markets (in Nanaimo and Sidney), increasing our CSA program to 28 families and creating our own mini farmer’s market at our farm gate on Tuesday evenings. Saison Market Vineyard, Hilary’s Cheese, Teafarm, and Terra Nossa Family Farm joined us to make the market a popular one-stop-shop.
That year we also created the Island Grains project, in which we facilitated workshops on small-scale grain growing and invited participants to get some hands-on experience by growing a small plot of grains of their choice on our property.
Makaria Farm in 2010
In 2010 we expanded once again, farming six acres of the property. We finished planting our perennial crops of blueberries, rhubarb, and asparagus, as well as our orchard. These crops will be added to Makaria Farm’s offering in future years.
We made our first major equipment purchases: a mechanical transplanter and a BCS rototiller.
The Island Grains project evolved in 2010, offering the first grain CSA program on Vancouver Island: 17 shareholders participated.
Makaria Farm welcomed its first apprentices: Joan, Cindy, Jeff and Caitlin.
We held our 2nd Annual Organic Tomato Plant Sale.
Our CSA program expanded to feeding 66 families, and we continued to sell at farmer’s markets in Duncan, Sidney and Nanaimo.
We began supplying the Community Farm Store with our broccoli, sugar snap peas, carrots, cabbages, butternut squash, kale, zucchini, and chard.
Makaria Farm in 2011
Our 2011 apprentices with Farmer Brock.
With 6.5 acres of land in cultivation, we continued to refine our growing practices to become more efficient. Our apprentices for the 2011 season were Jill, Tim and Mike. (Together, we had six bachelor’s degrees and one master’s degree!)
We (finally!) purchased a tractor and began investing in implements.
Makaria Farm Market opened in spring 2011, to provide a convenient source of quality local, organic food to our community 7 days a week.
We hosted our 3rd Annual Organic Tomato Plant Sale. Our popular CSA program fed 74 families. We continued to sell at the Duncan Farmer’s Market and the Bowen Road Farmers’ Market, and to supply the fabulous Community Farm Store.
For the first year, we grew enough to being supplying Niagara Grocery and Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub in Victoria, BC.
Makaria Farm in 2012?
With 7 acres of land ready for spring planting, we’re at the limits of using the arable parts of our 10 acres, and considering leasing land to allow us to continue expanding. We look forward to building on our relationships with the grocery stores and restaurants we supply, and to making Makaria Farm Market even better.
We’re currently accepting applications through the SOIL Apprenticeship program for our 2012 apprenticeship season.
See you in 2012!
