Wildwood Farm located just outside of Pouce Coupe has been Tim and Linda’s home for nearly 50 years! Draft horses are used in farm work where ever possible from garden and field tillage to milling their own grain. Beef cattle, milk cows, hogs, and laying hens are all raised here and make this farm so special. They are planning the next steps for the farm with developing a non-family farm transition and succession plan.
Welcoming 18 attendees to join 6 hosts on Saturday September 4, we were so fortunate to tour the farm, develop new connections and network, learn about Young Agrarians and the BC Land Matching Program, meet new friends, and enjoy some incredible home-made eats!
Our afternoon started off with an introduction to Young Agrarians and the BC Land Matching Program from Central North BC Land Matcher, Morgan. We then had the pleasure of hearing from Tim, Linda and Kolby, learning the history of Wildwood Farm, what they’re doing today, and their plans for the future. An intro circle followed where we are introduced to each of our attendees, hearing a bit about them and their interest in farming!
Following our intro circle, the farm tour began! There are so many elements at Wildwood Farm that make it one of the most unique farms I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. We toured many different elements that make Wildwood Farm what it is!
Before there was electricity on the farm, milk from their milk cows would be let down with a winch into the well to cool. This method is fantastic for getting milk cooled after milking.
The wash and shower station on the farm has hot water through the use of the sun’s warmth to heat a black hose. There’s nothing like a nice shower at the end of a hard day tending to gardens, crops and livestock!
One of the biggest highlights on the tour was seeing the horse powered (literally!) grain milling equipment that is done on site with grains grown and combined at the farm. Oats, wheat, barley, rye, and peas are the main grain crops grown for both human and livestock consumption.
Beautiful barns like this are incredible, I always think – if only these walls could talk! This barn was originally a cabin that Tim and Linda lived in before the main farmhouse was built. It was then converted into a barn that today is used for the draft horses and their gear, with the milling equipment at the opposite end.
Rotational grazing with the cattle is implemented in Wildwood Farm’s practices. There are many benefits of rotational grazing including the prevention of over grazing, higher stocking density to increase organic matter (manure) in one paddock and less forage selection by the cattle while grazing, better livestock management, and improved vegetation regrowth. (Interested in learning more on rotational grazing? Click HERE)
We concluded our farm tour to find an amazing spread of home-made eats! A huge thank you to Mercy, a great friend and neighbour, for all your hard work cooking and baking for the group!
A huge thank you to Wildwood Farm for welcoming us to their home!
Land socials and farm tours like this are amazing for our farming community. To be able to to share ideas, see what people are doing, network and meet new people – this support of farmers is so important.
We can’t wait to see you at upcoming Central-North events:
SEPTEMBER 12, 2021: TERRACE, B.C. – SKEENA-BULKLEY FARMERS MEET & GREET AT THIMBLEBERRY FARM
We’ve got more events coming up around the province – check those out on our events page, and sign up for our e-newsletter to stay in the loop.
GOT LAND? WANT LAND?
Through the B.C. Land Matching Program, Young Agrarians offers support to farmers looking for land for their farm business, and landholders looking for farmers to farm their land. We’ve made more than 146 matches on over 6,000 acres to date! Reach out to Land Matcher Morgan if you’re in Central & Northern BC and looking for land, or have land you’d like to share with a farmer, or check out the program page to find your regional Land Matcher.
The B.C. Land Matching Program is funded in Central & Northern B.C. by the Province of British Columbia, with support from Patagonia.