JULY 27, 2025: MEADOW CREEK, BC – Farm Tour and Potluck at Earth Temple Gardens

You’re invited to a Farm Tour and Potluck at Earth Temple Gardens in Meadow Creek, BC! Come out to connect with other farmers and food lovers, share a potluck meal and learn how to operate a farm in a remote location.

Earth Temple Gardens is an organic farm situated in the rural community of Meadow Creek, nestled between the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges at the north end of Kootenay Lake. Owner and operator Michael Silver first established the farm over 10 years ago, on leased land. When the land was sold in 2023, Michael worked with the B.C. Land Matching Program to develop a land agreement with the new landholders. Since then, Earth Temple Gardens has continued to supply the community with organic vegetables and medicinal herbs. Michael’s mission is to grow healthy produce in the most sustainable way possible – he believes that nourishing local communities and enriching the biodiversity of the land are far from mutually exclusive.

During the farm tour, we will learn about Michael’s approach to sustainable agriculture and his experience selling through multiple sales channels, including: farmers’ markets, farm stand, and wholesale. Nyree, the Columbia Basin Land Matcher, will also be there to discuss how she can help you find a farmer for your land or farmland where you can build your dream farm business. The afternoon will wrap up with a potluck meal, with plenty of time to ask questions and socialize.

Come out to learn about land matching and check out what your local farmers are up to!

REGISTER: So that we can plan for the tour and potluck, please register on Eventbrite.

Event Details:

DATE: July 27, 2025 • 11am – 2pm

LOCATION: Ktunaxa, Sinixt, and Syilx Territory. 13270 BC-31, Meadow Creek, BC

DIRECTIONS/PARKING: The farm is located right off of Highway 31 (Balfour-Kaslo-Galena Bay Highway), close to where it intersects with Meadow Creek Rd. There is parking space available on the farm. Carpooling is encouraged – if you are looking for or can offer a ride to or from the event, you can organize carpooling through the Facebook event (coming soon). Please do not bring pets to the event. Kids are welcome! More information below.

BRING: You are invited to bring a food item to contribute to the potluck. If you can, please include a little card with ingredients, for folks with food sensitivities. Please bring fully prepared dishes only. There will be fridge/cooler space available, if needed. To enjoy the meal, please bring your own plate, cutlery and cup and plan on packing your items back home (there will be a wash station available to rinse off dishes).

Bring along a chair or blanket to sit on, a water bottle, and any sunscreen and insect repellant you might need. Make sure to wear weather and farm-suitable clothing and footwear, as the event will proceed rain or shine (though there will be tents available for the potluck in case of rain). There are full restroom facilities available at the Lardeau Valley Community Centre, which is a 1-minute drive away from the farm, and there is also a pit toilet available on the farm – it is a squat toilet with an open view of the mountains.

ACCESSIBILITY: If you have any accessibility needs, please get in touch with us at bclmp@youngagrarians.org

SHARE: Planning on joining us? Invite your friends and share the Facebook event (coming soon).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• This event is free and open to everyone!
• Children are welcome but please leave furry friends at home
• Please stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms
• Please do not bring alcohol to this event
• Please wash your shoes before visiting the farm, especially if you work on or have visited a farm recently

STAY IN TOUCH:

• Join our Young Agrarians Columbia Basin (Kootenay) Facebook Group to stay up to date with all events in the region
• Sign up for our e-newsletter to get events and opportunities for your region delivered straight to your inbox
• Cancellations – Please let us know if you have registered but are no longer able to attend! You can cancel your registration anytime through Eventbrite, via the link in your registration confirmation email, or by contacting bclmp@youngagrarians.org
• Other questions? Email Dani at bclmp@youngagrarians.org

If you are interested in hosting an event at your farm and bringing together the farming community in your area, please reach out to bclmp@youngagrarians.org with your idea!

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 399 matches on over 12,968 acres to date!

Are you on the Young Agrarians UMAP? List your land or future farm dream today! You just might find a farmer who can turn your vacant field into a productive farm, or a landholder who has the ideal piece of land for you.

For more info about our land access resources, visit the YA Land page.

The B.C. Land Matching Program is funded in the Columbia Basin under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, with additional support from Columbia Basin Trust and the Real Estate Foundation of BC.