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Friday, May 4, 2012 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD
www.comoxvalleyrecord.com
Grassi Point Farm diversified now Ryan Parton
complement its agricultural operations and the eight-site campground that’s already in operation. His main concern, however, is that his son David eventually takes over the family farm. “I’d like to see the farm stay as a farm, because it’s good soil and it’s good producing land,” he says. “We hope David will take it over. He’s the sixth generation worker on the farm, and it would be nice to keep it in the family. That’s my dream anyway.” The Grassi Point Farm Market is located just south of Royston at 4066 Island Highway South. For more information, call 250338-7546.
Special to the Record
The Comox Valley Farmers’ Institute is proud to profile Comox Valley farmers and showcase the value of local agriculture. This is the third in a series of such profiles. Grassi Point Farm may be one of the Comox Valley’s oldest farms, but it’s anything but old news. The farm, which was founded back in 1889, is on the leading edge of some of the hottest trends in agriculture, including agri-tourism, organic farming and the local food movement. Though beef has traditionally been Grassi Point Farm’s main product, current owners Tom and Roberta Feely have diversified over the years, adding vegetable crops and constructing the Grassi Point Farm Market. Originally built as a venue for the Feelys to sell their own produce, the market has since developed into a veritable cornucopia of local fare. “We try to produce enough product of our own to sell at the market, but we do get some produce brought in from other local farmers,” says Tom, who at 75 years old still lives in the original farmhouse that his greatgrandfather built on the property more than 100 years ago. “When we do bring stuff in, we make sure it’s B.C.grown. This 100-mile radius thing, it makes sense; it’s good.” In addition to fresh vegetables from Grassi Point Farm, the market also features Natural Pastures cheeses, fruit
FARMER TOM FEELY and his wife Roberta operate Grassi Point Farm in the Comox Valley.
When we do ❝ bring stuff in, we make sure it’s B.C.grown. This 100mile radius thing, it makes sense; it’s good.
❞ Tom Feely
and berries from the Okanagan, an espresso bar brewing locally roasted coffee and all sorts of healthful drinks and snacks. The Feelys also keep the market stocked with fresh beef from their herd of six Charolais cattle, a breed known for its leanness. “We try to do everything natural and healthy,” says Tom. “The beef is natural grass-fed beef. We don’t use any hormones, medicated feeds, chemical fertilizers or pesticides. It’s just natural, healthy food. “At the market, we try to stay away from
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junk stuff,” he adds. “Except Island Farms ice cream. It has to be healthy!” Grassi Point Farm dates back to the days of coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, who traded the land to Tom’s great-grandfather in exchange for a farm on Hornby Island. In 1995, Grassi Point was awarded Century Farm status in recognition of 100 years of continuous farming by the same family. The farm’s future, says Tom, may involve some creative agritourism or even aquaculture innovations to
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CALENDAR Editor’s note: There’s a new method to spread the word about your community events. Try our new, improved online calendar. Scroll down the mainpage of the Comox Valley Record website (www. comoxvalleyrecord.com) until you see a calendar off to the right. Click on Add Your Event and follow the prompts. This calendar is for special events put on by non-profit groups. We run as many as space permits, but only guarantee a calendar item appears once. Calendar items can be e-mailed to copy@comoxvalleyrecord. com, faxed to 250-338-5568 or delivered to 765 McPhee Ave. Deadlines: Friday at 5 p.m. for Wednesday’s paper and Tuesday at noon for Friday’s paper. Include date, location, time and a contact phone number that can be published.
Friday, May 4 C.V. NEWCOMERS Women’s Walking Group (for those living in Comox Valley less than 2 years) meets for Wildwood walk; meet at Home Depot recycling area, 8:50 a.m. Carpool. FMI: Doris 250-871-3407, Louise 250-871-1443, Rebecca 250-334-0936, www.cvnewcomers.net.
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MULTI-FAMILY garage sale, 1920 Urquhart Ave., off 17th by traffic circle in Courtenay, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (No early-birds.) Sporting equipment, lumber, tools, quality toys, furniture & more. FMI: 250-334-9793. C.V. FARMERS’ Market features entertainment by Sue Medley, Exhibition Grounds, Headquarters Rd., 9 a.m.noon. FMI: Mkt. Mgr. Vickey 250-218-0321, www.comoxvalleyfarmersmarket.com. BLUE HERON Books hosts reading & book-signing by author Marlet Ashley & illustrator Kate Brown from their new children’s book The Interlopers, featuring Courtenay Estuary, 12–2 p.m. MYSTIC Valley Voices perform for World Labyrinth Day, The Gardens on Anderton, 2012 Anderton Rd., Comox, 12:30 p.m. Admission by donation. FMI: 250-339-6573.
Sunday, May 6 ROYAL Canadian Navy Comox Valley Branch commemorates 67th anniversary of Battle of the Atlantic with memorial service at its cairn in Comox Marina Park, 1 p.m. All vets & public welcome. FMI: Don Knight 250-339-5498. CORONATION Street fan gathering, Best Western Westerly Hotel, registration 2:15–2:45 p.m., gathering 2:45–3:45 p.m. Great display of hats & fascinators. $3 at door. FMI: Louise 250-338-7274, cvcorriefanclub@shaw.ca.
Monday, May 7 COMOX Seniors Association presents dance coaching by Eric Lam, d’Esterre House, 1801 Beaufort Ave., 3–6:20 p.m. FMI/bookings: Arabella 250-941-8885, arabella888@ gmail.com.
Tuesday, May 8 COURTENAY Library hosts reading by author/illustrator Martin Springett on his children’s book Kate & Pippin, 300 - 6th St., 11 a.m. Also Breakfast on a Dragon’s Tale. Free event. FMI: Mary Donlan 250-334-3369. C.V. SOCIAL Planning Committee 2012 AGM, Tsolum Building, Lewis Park, Courtenay, noon. All welcome. Bring your lunch; beverages provided. Guest speaker Rupert Downing of Victoria’s Community Planning Committee. FMI: 250-335-2003, bunny5779@aol.com. C.V. FAMILY History Research Group meeting, LDS Church, 1901 20th St., Courtenay, 7 p.m. Marikka Nicklin presents A Homechild Discovery.
FMI: Bev Gunter 250-3343896. C.V. UKRAINIAN Cultural Society meeting, Lower Florence Filberg Centre, 7 p.m. All welcome. FMI &/or Ukrainian food: Nellie 250334-2653.
Wednesday, May 9 C.V. CURLING Club extraordinary general meeting, CVCC, 6:30 p.m. View agenda at: www.comoxvalleycurling. com. FMI: 250-338-3127.
Friday, May 11 C.V. NEWCOMERS Women’s Walking Group (for those living in Comox Valley less than 2 years) meets for Brooklyn Creek-4 Park walk; meet at east side of Comox Mall parking lot, off Comox Ave., 8:50 a.m. FMI: Sharon 250-941-1819, Kate 250941-3831, Susan 250-871-4422, www.cvnewcomers.net. SHIFA Ministries Indian fundraising dinner, St. George’s Church Hall, 6 p.m. Tickets: Uptown Yarns or call 250339-3421. AARON House Christian Fellowship hosts Church Cafe Ole Time Gospel Nght, 2946 Kilpatrick Ave., Courtenay, 7 p.m. Sing-along; concession. All welcome. FMI: Judy 250334-4874.
Saturday, May 12 C.V. GROWERS & Seed Savers Society Plant Sale. FMI: www.cvgss.ca. ROYAL LePage in the Comox Valley hosts National Garage Sale for Shelter, 750 Comox Rd., Courtenay, 8 a.m. 1-day charitable garage sale in support of Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, Canada’s largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to supporting women’s shelters & ending family violence. Community may donate gently used items at RLP office by May 11. Also barbecue, coffee/ bake sale. C.V. FARMERS’ Market features entertainment by Dave Kilbank & Paul Bezooyen, Exhibition Grounds, Headquarters Rd., 9 a.m.–noon. FMI: Mkt. Mgr. Vickey 250218-0321, www.comoxvalleyfarmersmarket.com. BAYNES Sound Garden Club’s annual plant sale, Fanny Bay Hall, 9 a.m.–noon. FMI: Juanita Purin 250-335-3454. COMOX Seniors Association hosts pancake breakfast with bake sale & craft fair, d’Esterre House, 1801 Beaufort Ave., Comox, 9 a.m.noon. Breakfast $5/person. FMI: 250-339-5133.
Sunday, May 13 UNION BAY Community Hall presents Mother’s Day Special Breakfast, Union Bay Community Hall, 8–11 a.m. “20 men prepare your treats – let us serve you.” FMI: Dave 250335-2317. FANNY BAY Community Association Fundraising Committee presents Mother’s Day Fashion Show & Afternoon Tea, Fanny Bay Hall, tea 1 p.m., fashion show 2 p.m. MC Linda Hargreaves presents fashions from 1890–1970, featuring circa 1930 evening gowns. Tix: $12/advance, $14/ door. FMI/tix: 250-335-3282. COMOX Seniors Association presents Country 2-Step dance coaching & more by Keith & Holly Foraie, d’Esterre House, 1801 Beaufort Ave., 2–5:15 p.m. FMI/ reservations: Arabella 250941-8885, arabella888@ gmail.com.
Monday, May 14 C.V. NEWCOMERS general meeting (for women living in Comox Valley less than 2 years), Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Ave., Courtenay, doors 6:30 p.m. Speaker Andy Everson on The influence of the Native Culture on K’omoks Valley. Partners & new members welcome. FMI: 250-8980277, cvnewcomers.bc@ gmail.com, www.cvnewcomers.net.