I have arrived in the Alberni Valley and am a few days into my SOIL organic farm apprenticeship at Arrowvale Campground and Collins Farm. A.C and B.C are my hosts for this experience. They have been farming for 30 years and built this farm from nothing but raw land. Their children are grown up, and although they say that most parents are happy when their kids move away, they are not as happy. They miss the help the kids were on the farm and for this reason, they have SOIL apprentices like myself come to help out (while learning to farm). The property is 67 acres of land, on the Somass River, a river that has salmon running through it at many points throughout the year. They have greenhouses and organic gardens and they tap their big leaf maple trees for maple syrup.
They have 7 horses, (Canadians they are called) many cows (Gallaways) egg laying and meat chickens, 4 dogs, 2 barn cats, a family of 3 donkeys, (mother, father and their baby) 7 goats and many ducks. Sometimes they have pigs, but there are none here now.
They also have a campground and two gorgeous cabins, where people can stay (the cabins are one of the reasons I am here--story to come later). The store sells all the farm's goods, including maple syrup, meat, vegetables, herbs, tea, freshly baked bread, muffins and coffee and tea of course.
Morning View of the Farm
They also have a campground and two gorgeous cabins, where people can stay (the cabins are one of the reasons I am here--story to come later). The store sells all the farm's goods, including maple syrup, meat, vegetables, herbs, tea, freshly baked bread, muffins and coffee and tea of course.
Where is the Alberni Valley?
The Alberni Valley is located on Vancouver Island, between Nanaimo and Tofino. Its temperate climate along with its fertile land (as a result of glaciation) make it a perfect place to farm.
Location of the Alberni Valley
What is a SOIL Apprenticeship
The Soil apprenticeship program is a Canadian Organic Farm program for people to learn how to farm. There are many farms that do this program on Vancouver Island, because the growing season is so long.
http://www.soilapprenticeships.org/
My personal goals through this experience are to:
1) Learn how to farm, not so that I can farm commercially, but so that in the future I can buy 5 acres of my own and grow as much of my own food on it as possible. A.C says that this is the reason that most of the SOIL apprentices she has has do this program.
2) Improve my horseback riding, and learn as much as I can about riding and training horses from A.C.
3) Be more mindful and rooted in the present moment, my body and the land.
http://www.soilapprenticeships.org/
My personal goals through this experience are to:
1) Learn how to farm, not so that I can farm commercially, but so that in the future I can buy 5 acres of my own and grow as much of my own food on it as possible. A.C says that this is the reason that most of the SOIL apprentices she has has do this program.
2) Improve my horseback riding, and learn as much as I can about riding and training horses from A.C.
3) Be more mindful and rooted in the present moment, my body and the land.
Getting Here
After traveling by airporter, plane, ferry, car (Thanks Alita!) and car again, I have arrived here. Thanks to all the tea, coffee, and visits from friends along the way!
Small car loaded up in C's driveway
Thanks for reading my blog, and keep checking back here, as I will introduce you to the animals and the daily adventures!
Getting Here
After traveling by airporter, plane, ferry, car (Thanks Alita!) and car again, I have arrived here. Thanks to all the tea, coffee, and visits from friends along the way!
Thanks for reading my blog, and keep checking back here, as I will introduce you to the animals and the daily adventures!
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