UPDATE: Due to hot weather, the starting location of the event has changed from Salmo Ski Hill to 6919 Hwy 3. The event schedule has changed so that all farm tours are in the morning to avoid the heat of the day, and the optional picnic lunch is at the end of the route at 12:30 pm. Please see details below for updated route map and schedule.
Join us for a Sunday morning bike tour of the farm stands of beautiful Salmo, BC!
Self-serve farm stands are surging in popularity, and the village of Salmo is leading the way when it comes to farm stand culture in the Kootenays. Within an easy bike ride of the village centre, there are three farm stands that offer fresh produce, fruit, cheese, meat, wool, soap, flowers, and value-added products. Shopping at farm stands is a great way to get the freshest farm products possible, all the while supporting your local producers and connecting with the farms that feed you.
The event will include a farm tour and farm stand visit at each stop. Starting with the fields and greenhouses at Salix and Sedge Farm, we’ll then head over to see the market gardens at Clutch Farm, stop for a short picnic lunch, and wrap up with a visit to Forrest Farm Sheep and Goat Cheese Creamery. Participants will get to learn how the farms produce their goods, and stock up on groceries along the way.
This 10 km round-trip is timed so that participants can bike between the farms, but you are welcome to join no matter how you get between the locations. Feel free to drive, e-bike, roller-blade, run, or get there however works for you! Children and families are more than welcome if they are able to safely ride on the road. This bike route avoids highway riding but does involve a few highway crossings.
DATE: Sunday, July 14, 2024 • 9 am – 1:30 pm PST
LOCATION: Syilx, Sinixt, and Ktunaxa Territories. Starting and Ending at 6919 Hwy 3.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE STARTING LOCATION AND SCHEDULE HAS CHANGED
CLICK HERE FOR MAP with details on each stop location
REGISTER: This event is free, but please register on Eventbrite so we can communicate with participants about any event changes.
SCHEDULE :
There will be signs and flags along the route to help bikers navigate all the stops.
BRING: Bicycles, helmets, high-visibility clothing (streamers, flags, and flashy decorations most welcome!), water, BYO optional picnic lunch (not a potluck), bags to bring home purchased farm stand goodies.
SHARE: Planning on joining us? Invite your friends and share this event!
ACCESSIBILITY: If you have any accessibility needs, please get in touch with us at kim@youngagrarians.org.
- This event is free and open to everyone! Supervised children are welcome
- Please leave furry friends at home
- Please stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms
- Please wash your shoes before visiting the farm, especially if you work on or have visited a farm recently
- Please do not bring alcohol to this event
About the Farms
SALIX & SEDGE FARM
Salix and Sedge is a certified organic mixed vegetable farm located in Salmo, run by Cali Olleck and Brendan Parsons. We farm approximately two acres of land where we grow a diversity of field crops. We also have a year-round heated greenhouse on our land where we grow primarily tomatoes and cucumbers in the spring and summer, and greens in the fall and winter. Our vegetables are primarily sold through our roadside farm stand, as well as to a few local retailers and a CSA program. Our mission is to grow nutritious, high-quality food for our community while maintaining the rich diversity in our farm-wetland ecosystem.
Web: www.salixandsedge.ca
Instagram: salixandsedge
Facebook: salixandsedge
CLUTCH FARM
Clutch Farm was established in 2020 to support local food security and sustainable food systems. Inspired by regenerative agricultural techniques, farmers Angela and Mel are passionate about growing good quality food, improving soil, and reducing environmental impact as holistically across the operation as possible. The farm features an array of mixed vegetables, fruit and a small supply of farm fresh eggs. Clutch Farm produce is available at their farm stand during daylight hours 7 days per week from late May to late October.
Instagram: clutchfarmsalmo
Facebook: clutchfarmsalmo
FORREST FARM & CREAMERY
We are a diverse, first-generation, 8-acre farm and micro-dairy that is focused on regenerative agricultural practices. While we are first and foremost a sheep and goat dairy, everything on our farm is interconnected. All aspects of the farm complement each other and are working together by design. We work hard to make use of our by-products, everything from using the whey from cheesemaking to feed our pigs, to composting all the bedding from the sheep and goat barns to create rich healthy soil for our garden. All of the care and effort can be seen in the quality of our products. Our farm stand is open 8 am – 4 pm 7 days a week, where you can buy our cheese, soap, wool, meat, flowers, and fresh produce.
Instagram: forrestfarmsheepgoatcheese
Facebook: forrestfarmsheepgoatcheese
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
- Due to limited spots, we ask that you please give us as much notice as possible if you have to cancel, so we can give someone else the opportunity to join. You can do so through Eventbrite, through the link in your registration confirmation email, or by contacting kim@youngagrarians.org.
- Questions? Email Kim at kim@youngagrarians.org
Upcoming Events in the Columbia Basin
We have something happening every month through the growing season! Sign up for our newsletter to receive registration information for these upcoming events:
August 25, 2024: Krestova, BC – Seed Saving Farm Tour at Winnow Seeds
Winnow Seeds produces certified organic, open-pollinated and regionally adapted seed for Kootenay growing conditions. Participants on this tour will discover what a seed farm looks like in late summer when crops have bolted and set seed, have the opportunity to help collect seeds, and learn about why seed saving is an essential part of farming and local food security.
September 22, 2024: Creston, BC – Renewable energy multi-farm tour at Full Circle Farm (am) and Cartwheel Farm (pm). More details coming soon!
THANK YOU!
The Columbia Basin event series is made possible with funding from Columbia Basin Trust.