Sandown News
- Jan 22
- 3 min read
As we enter into 2026, we undergo changes that provide clarity for the Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture. Following a year of negotiations, on December 1, 2025, the North Saanich Mayor and Council made the following motions:
Approve the Sandown Operating Lease Amendment Agreement as appended to Staff Report CS-25-046, reflecting a reduction in scope to the approximately 13.5 arable acres currently in active agricultural use by the Operator (Circular Farm and Food Society: Vancouver Island) for a term of three years; and
Direct staff to continue preparing a report exploring land-use options for the remaining lands, including referral to relevant advisory committees for input, and present the findings to Council at a future meeting.
For more information, please read the District's public notice. If you are a resident of North Saanich who is interested in engaging with the District on land-use options for the remaining 69.5 acres of the Sandown lands, we recommend you watch and participate in Council meetings, speak or write directly to Council when the topic returns, sign up for official updates and notices, or engage through ConnectNorthSaanich.ca
The District of North Saanich has also advanced plans for the Harvest Hub on the Sandown lands, and we look forward to seeing how this municipal project unfolds in support of local farmers. While the Harvest Hub is being led independently by the District, we hope it becomes a strong asset for North Saanich’s agricultural community.
At the Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture, we continue to focus on strengthening on-farm infrastructure that directly supports the farmers operating at Sandown. In 2025, with support from United Way BC, we secured $50,000 toward our own processing hub, including two new walk-in coolers, which are now complete and in use.
AGM Notice:
This is formal notice that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Circular Farm and Food Society (CFFS), operators of the Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture, will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, February 19
Time: 7:00–7:30 pm
Format: Hybrid (online and in person)
Location: In-person location and online access details will be shared in advance of the meeting.
Purpose of the Meeting
In accordance with the BC Societies Act and the Society’s bylaws, the business of the AGM will include:
Presentation of the 2025 Annual Report
Presentation of the financial statements
Election of Directors
Any other business properly brought before the meeting
Membership Renewal and Voting
Only members in good standing may vote at the AGM.
To be eligible to vote, all members must renew their annual membership prior to the meeting by:
Submitting the $15 membership fee by e-transfer to finance@sandowncentre.com and
Completing and signing the online membership form available on our website.
Members who have not completed both steps prior to the AGM will not be eligible to vote.
Attendance
Members are encouraged to attend and participate.
Non-members are welcome to attend the AGM as observers.
Meeting Materials
The Annual Report, financial statements, and any additional AGM materials will be circulated to members and made available in advance of the meeting.
If you have questions regarding membership status, renewal, voting eligibility, or AGM logistics, please contact us at info@sandowncentre.com.
We appreciate your continued engagement and support of the Circular Farm and Food Society and the Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture.
Find us at Victoria Seedy Saturday on February 14, from 11am - 4pm at Crystal Garden.
We are happy to sponsor a speaker at the South Island Farmers Institute Farmer to Farmer Conference and look forward to attending the conference. For more information and to get a ticket, go to their website.
Interested in receiving fresh, sustainably grown vegetables in North Saanich throughout Summer? Consider joining our Community Supported Agriculture Program!
LOVE this update!!! Great job, great produce, great soil. What is there not to like.
Great update! The work that you are doing and the supports to our regional food system are so needed, thank you so much for all the hard work from the sandown team and all of the board members. It’s so exciting to see the expansion of the programs to selling to support school food programs as well. Congratulations on your new cold storage. Wishing you the best for the gear ahead!
Is the additional land feasible for British style allotment farming?