You’re invited to a Farm Tour and Potluck at Silverside Farm in Cobble Hill, B.C. If you’re curious about what land matching and sharing is all about – or just want to check out what your local farmers are up to – join us for the event. Come out to connect with other farmers and food lovers, share a meal, and learn about berry production!
We’ll enjoy a farm tour from Silverside farmers Charles and Manzar, who were matched in 2023 through the B.C. Land Matching Program (BCLMP). We will hear how Charles and Manzar transitioned their farm from Alberta to B.C., the ins and outs of berry production, maintaining a U-Pick experience and the steps to building a successful land sharing relationship. As we tour Silverside farm and explore blueberry, strawberry and mixed vegetable fields, Charles and Manzar will share their experience taking over the farm operation from the landholders, who are now happily retired. If you are a retiring farmer or a new farmer curious about farm transition, we hope to see you there! The day will wrap up with a shared potluck meal and informal time to socialize with other farmers and farm-curious folks.
Farm tours connect farmers and farmland holders, and set them up to receive ongoing support through the B.C. Land Matching Program. Your regional Land Matcher will share information about how they can help you find a farmer for your land – or farmland where you can build your dream farm business. Both farmers seeking land and farmland holders thinking about sharing land are encouraged to attend – as well as anyone who loves food, farming, and getting out onto the land.
We can’t wait to see you there!
DATE: Sunday, July 7, 2024 • 4pm-7:30pm
LOCATION: Quw’utsun Territory. 3810 Cobble Hill Rd, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L5.
DIRECTIONS/PARKING: The farm is right on Cobble Hill Rd, the main turnoff from the highway towards the town of Cobble Hill. The gate will be open when you arrive, so please drive through and park in the designated parking areas. Please do not bring pets to the event. Kids are welcome! More information below.
REGISTER: So that we can plan for the tour and potluck, please register on Eventbrite.
SCHEDULE (times are approximate):
4:00 – 5:00 Farm Tour
5:00 – 5:30 Intro Circle
5:30 – 7:30 Potluck Social
BRING: Please bring a dish to share potluck-style! Bring your own plate, cutlery, and cup for snacks/refreshments. Please include a little card with ingredients if you can for folks with food sensitivities. There will be a wash station available to clean plates, so please plan accordingly. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on (some seating will be provided), and weather and farm-suitable clothing and footwear.
CARPOOL INFO: If you are looking for or can offer a ride to or from the event, please email bclmp@youngagrarians.org to let us know.
ACCESSIBILITY: If you have any accessibility needs, please get in touch with us at bclmp@youngagrarians.org
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 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
- Not sure what to bring to the potluck? Consider supporting your local, organic farmer and/or food producer and find inspiration from their ingredients
- Please bring any sunscreen and insect repellant you might need
ABOUT SILVERSIDE FARM
Charles Hepfner and Manzar Zahedi were farmers in Alberta, offering u-pick strawberries, raspberries, and Saskatoons. In 2022, the couple sold their farm in Alberta and moved to Vancouver Island where the climate is milder. Although they were approaching retirement, they still carried with them their passion for farming. Through the BC Land Matching Program (BCLMP), they were matched to Silverside Farm in Cobble Hill, whose owners were seeking to transition their farmland and blueberry operation to new farmers. Charles and Manzar currently manage 2 acres of blueberries, 1 acre of strawberries, and 2 acres of mixed crops, with a focus on u-pick, like they’ve always done. This is their 2nd season at Silverside, and they’re looking forward to welcoming enthusiastic customers from all over the island!
Check out SILVERSIDE FARM online:
Facebook: Silverside Farm
Website: https://silversidefarm.com/
Stay in Touch
- Join our Young Agrarians Vancouver Island 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
- We welcome cancellations at any time – you can do so through Eventbrite, through the link in your registration confirmation email, or by contacting bclmp@youngagrarians.org. Please let us know if you aren’t able to attend
- Questions? Email Kat 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 331 matches on over 12,207 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 on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative, with additional support from Cowichan Valley Regional District and the Real Estate Foundation of BC.