Before
on the farm
with SOL FARM
Drying Garlic
A
s many of you may know, SOL Farm was recently the victim of a greenhouse fire. Shocking and frightening as that was, the loss was somewhat mitigated by the quick response from our good friends and this community.
After
With our seedling greenhouse burned to the ground, along with 2000 plants ready to be set out in the lower field, countless tools, farming records, and seemingly endless personal effects, our immediate reaction was resignation that we had lost our season, that it was too late to start over with this year’s planting schedule and really, with all the challenges presented to farmers, this was the last straw.
The feeling of awful loss was replaced by a sense that we were not alone, that the people in our community wanted us overcome this obstacle and were willing to do what they could to help. This was, after all, just a loss, not a tragedy. We are touched and grateful to be part of this community, and especially want to thank the Cowichan Green Community and the Glenora Farm Community for their generous donation of seedlings.
As word got out about our loss, we received offers of help from friends who took ferries, buses and time away from their own work to assist us with the cleanup of the debris left behind from the fire, shopping for the essential basic tools allowing us to get back to work, and the all-important sweat equity to plant hundreds of seedlings donated by the Cowichan community.
We were offered plants from several farmers from as far away as the Comox Valley Farmers Market, after their market manager learned of our plight and sent out a bulletin to their members, asking for donations. This experience has been an important reminder that the farm community does not operate under the business model of everyone for themselves, but extols the old-fashioned values of lending a hand to
help others succeed. We are not alone, and by working in partnership we create a sustainable community where all benefit. We look forward to seeing you at the market this summer, and thanks to friends and the generosity of this community, we expect to have a wonderful selection of fabulous, organically grown produce!
Honeymoon Bay Every Saturday Outdoor Market Every Saturday 10am - 2pm May - Thanksgiving
For market info call Bob at 250-749-7233 or 250-510-1113
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Ramona Froehle-Schacht and Stephen Schacht, of SOL Farm – SMALL, ORGANIC, LOCAL-, raise vegetables, berries and chickens with their son Jeremy and his girlfriend Jessi. www.solfarm.ca
Look for in-season local produce, plants, flowers, sewing, baking, preserves, handmade soaps, bodycare, arts & crafts and more! Follow the signs to the Coffee Mill Cafe in Honeymoon Bay.
Valley Voice Magazine -Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley