of 1
8/19/2019 Langley Advance Welcome to the Neighbourhood page
1/1
Langley AdvanceWelcome to the Neighbourhood, 2016 AGRICULTURE
A history in agriculturestays strong with theabundance of localfood options in thecommunity.RONDA PAYNE
The Langleys offer morethan just the visualbeauty of farming. Manylocal farms also offer the
tasty bounty of locally grownfood, organic goods, craft winesand cheeses – often sold right atthe farm gate.
Learn about how food getsfrom farm to table while enjoy-ing all there is to offer.
With a unique micro-climatein South Langley, wine loverswill find numerous options com-plete with tasting rooms, on-siteshops, and summer events andentertainment. The CampbellValley Wine Route is made upof four wineries: Vista D’oroFarms & Winery, ChabertonEstate Winery, Township 7Vineyards & Winery, andBackyard Vineyards.
Plus north Langley featuresThe Fort Wine Co. with itscranberry fruit wine and KrauseBerry Farms and Estate Wineryhas also developed its own lineof fruit wines.
The climate of Langley maybe ideal for wine, but it is alsoexcellent for fruits and vege-tables, and meats. The regionoffers numerous U-pick optionsfor the public to enjoy the
experience of gathering food dir-ectly from the source.
Organic farms are makingheadway in the community.
Fraser Common Farm Co-op,located in Aldergrove, is hometo Glorious Organics Co-op. Thefarm is cooperatively owned and focus-es on sustainability, food production,education, and a modern, yet traditionalfarming experience.
Glorious Organics offers a CommunityShared Agriculture program (CSA) wherecrops are delivered to cus-tomers in a weekly box ofproduce.
Laurica Farm also offersa CSA. Laurica’s owners
Cathy and Ian Finleybelieve that when peoplevisit the farm and try thefood, they will developan attachment and vestedinterest in seeing localfarming thrive and con-tinue.
“I think anything thatkeeps money in the com-munity enables local food production,”Cathy Finley said. “Local farms are sup-plying local people with food.”
At the time Finley was contacted bythe Langley Advance, she had a four-day-old lamb in her laundry room.
The Finleys believe in sustainabil-ity. The structures on the farm were
developed using 70 per cent reclaimedmaterials and the heritage pigs don’t eatcommercially created feed – they are fedfood waste would otherwise go to thelandfill.
“By farming in the community, we areinvested in the community,” Finley said.“We are reducing the food miles andpromoting the sustainability aspect.”
While Laurica is not certified organic(in order to save the fees of becomingcertified), it promotes transparency ofactions and invites customers to thefarm to see how food is grown.
If hitting the farm isn’t on the agenda,but fresh produce and products are, take
a trip to Ralph’s FarmMarket for a plethoraof farm fresh produce,healthy food options, andeven a deli and bakery.
As well, the LangleyCommunity Farmersmarket is held in theparking lot at KwantlenPolytechnic University,
off the Langley Bypass, every spring andsummer on Wednesdays from 2 to 6:30p.m.
Preserving farming is important to thecommunity, and the Langley SustainableAgriculture Foundation (LSAF) is anon-profit organization that seeks toencourage, educate and provide supporton agricultural matters in Langley.
From the sharing of planning andmanagement of farming workshops andtours, to providing information on local
issues, LSAF is busy getting the wordout.Visit LSAF’s Facebook page by search-
ing “Langley Agriculture.”
Natural food stays local and fresh
Langley ishome tomany kindsof agriculturaloperations,includingsustainableoperationssuch asLauricaFarms.
JessicaFinley,daughter ofthe owners,nursed a lambborn at thebeginning ofMarch.Laurica Farms photo
nvironmental
sources and
ctivities abound
gley residents like tow their green sides.
DA PAYNE
angleyadvance.com
Natural resources abound inLangley. Whether it’s fresh,flowing water, fertile farmland,or the abundance of wildlife
at, the Langleys have a lot to offer inof natural beauty.
surprise then that many organiza-take the protection of these resour-
eriously.Langley Environmental Partners
ty (LEPS) is perhaps one of the best-n local environmental supporters. Itson is “protecting and restoring theonment through education, cooper-and action.”organization is led by executive dir-
Nichole Marples who outlined a few numerous programs in the works16.early spring, salmon-friendly, gar-eminar on March 12 kicked off theization’s series of gardening work- and garden-related activities in the
munity.e have displays at community eventsec centres throughout the summer,”Marples. “They are focused on elim-g the use of cosmetic pesticideshemical fertilizers for the benefitmon, wildlife, and pollinators iney.”one of the many community eventsngley, keep an eye out for the LEPS
to obtain information about betteratives to these yard products.S also works with stream-side land-rs in the West Creek and Salmonwatershed areas on restoration ofream.
North Langley, wetland conservationng undertaken with landownersgh the Fingered Wetlands Project.
mmer student programs includerWise and the City of Langley’s Eco while local Grade 10 students will
volved in invasive species removaley take part in various projects fund-rough the Stewards of the Futuream.er local organizations that focusesatersheds include the Salmon Riverncement Society and the Nicomeklncement Soceity. These groups ofated people work to protect localsheds and the salmon that rely on
S works together with the Townshipesent the BC Rivers Day Festival aterek Doubleday Arboretum. Theor-all-ages annual event is on the lastay in September and features educa-displays and activities.Arboretum, located at 21200 Fraser
, is a 12-acre Township park andto the Demonstration Garden.
e LEPS coordinates the garden,dual gardeners with plots and theship manage it.k to the LEPS website for infor-n about workshops at the
onstration Garden running from Maygust this year.e will have adult-oriented garden
workshops on topics including gar-rt, wildcrafting, fruit tree care, back-composting, and food preservationgh canning,” Marples said.EcoExplorers kids day camps also
t the Demonstration Garden and areto those six to 12 years old.ck out www.leps.bc.ca.
FARMERS
MARKET
Langley Community
Farmer’s Market
• Wednesday afternoonsin the spring and summer
• Kwantlen PolytechnicUniversity parking area
Scott Carley leanedup against a giantpumpkin he took toKrause Berry FarmsEstate Winery forLangley’s GiantPumpkin Weigh-Off inOctober.Langley Advance files
