The Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture is an 83 acre site consisting of working farms, wetlands, meadow, and forest. We serve as a hub for best practices in regenerative agriculture by working with farmers, researchers, and community members towards a more climate change resilient future.
Sandown Centre
OUR GOALS
We work towards three interrelated goals:
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Support restoration of soil, water, wetlands and forest on Sandown Lands
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Foster and support thriving growers in regenerative techniques
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Inspire community engagement in regenerative agriculture as part of the solution towards food security and climate change resiliency
The Sandown Centre is located on the traditional lands of the Tseycum peoples. We acknowledge the Tseycum peoples’ careful stewardship of these lands and waters and the abundant local food system, nurtured since time immemorial.
REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE
Regenerative agriculture is a farming philosophy and set of practices which aim to not only protect, but also to improve the health of the soil and surrounding ecosystem. It is a dynamic concept that focuses on restoring intact carbon, and nutrient and water cycling while also sustaining farmer’s livelihoods through culturally relevant practices. Regenerative agriculture seeks to nourish the ties between the land, its natural heritage, and the community.
At the Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture, we are working to restore heavily degraded land through careful stewardship and without the use of harmful substances. Our definition includes five overarching, aspirational principles that we are continuously learning how to put into practice:
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Keep the soil covered
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Minimize soil disturbance
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Maximize crop diversity
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Integrate livestock
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Maintain a living root year round
Source: Investigating Incentives for Regenerative Agriculture, Centre for Environment and Sustainability (CES) at Western University 2021 (pg. 9)
VIRTUAL TOUR
Take a virtual site tour and learn more about the various features and amenities of the Sandown Centre. This has been created by Olivia Delisle and Grayson Howard in the UVIC SOSC 300 class. Thank you both for your hard work and enthusiasm!
