We invite you to join us as we present our 2024 accomplishments to the District of North Saanich this Monday, November 18th, at 7pm at the Municipal Hall.
We are also working hard behind the scenes on updating our strategic plan, and we want your say on the future of Sandown! Click here to participate in this 2-minute survey to have your say.
This year, we have continued to make strides in developing a sustainable and community-driven farming model on the former Sandown racetrack lands.
The 18 farmers operating 8 farm businesses in the Regenerative Farmer Program produced over 25,000 lbs of produce this year, alongside other land users FarmFolk CityFolk and Country Wools. This year, 6 acres was in production for food growing and 20 acres was used for rotational grazing, we made improvements to the wash/pack station to increase efficiency, and increased season extension capabilities with a new hoop house.
After partnering with the Growing Young Farmers Society in 2023, we hosted over 570 youth on-site for food literacy programming in just our first year of delivering their programs. We facilitated 19 educational field trips for K-12 students from 13 different schools, with produce from the teaching garden going directly to the students and being donated to community organizations, including the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank, Flourish! School Food Society, and the Native Friendship Centre. To support inclusive and sustainable learning, new infrastructure was built for the Growing Young Farmers program in collaboration with the ReWood volunteer initiative, who upcycles lumber from the landfill. This included ten 10' x 4' raised beds and an upcoming accessible garden. We also installed a 24' x 12' gazebo as a gathering space and a 10' x 8' greenhouse for youth to engage in the entire process of growing from seed to harvest.
The Community Gardens also saw growth, with 9 new beds added this spring, bringing the total to 75 full allotments, and serving around 50 community members.
One community gardener and North Saanich resident said,
"I wholeheartedly endorse the vision, commitment, and effort this group is putting into regenerating the former Sandown lands and putting it into sustainable agriculture.”
Part of our educational outreach included a Home Gardener Course, which covered essential gardening skills in four sessions, attracting positive feedback from participants eager to deepen their knowledge of local, sustainable food production.
Community events and workshops this year reached over 1,600 visitors, with the Centre offering eight site tours and hosting six on-site community events alongside six off-site presentations. Our stewardship efforts have also gained momentum, with birdwatchers recording 139 bird and 6 bat species, along with the reappearance of fish on-site. Active management of invasive species, such as bullfrogs, and monthly ivy pulls have improved local biodiversity, aided by partnerships with organizations like the Peninsula Streams Society.
Looking to the future, we propose expanding food production operations through a Sandown commercial farm to further strengthen our impact on the local food system. On November 18th, we are seeking Council's approval to apply for grants that will support these production plans, ensuring that Sandown continues to serve as a model for sustainable, community-focused agriculture. Financial support through the District’s Agricultural Reserve Fund remains essential, helping the Circular Farm and Food Society meet its Long Term Operator Agreement obligations while advancing ecological and agricultural progress on the site.
Through community support, educational initiatives, and sustainable land management, Sandown is transforming into a regenerative agricultural hub, enriching North Saanich and beyond. We encourage community members to get involved by attending tours, signing up for gardening courses, or volunteering, with the shared goal of fostering a resilient, locally grounded food system.
Weed Management: Key Takeaways from the No-till Weeding Strategies Workshop
During our workshop on no-till weeding strategies with Shellie MacDonald on October 6th, we also took a deep dive into management strategies, unpacking the complexities of controlling unwanted plants without compromising soil health. Here are some of the insights shared:
Identifying the Weed
Effective weed management begins with proper identification. Understanding which weeds you’re dealing with is crucial to tailoring your approach.
Timing of Emergence
Knowing when a weed germinates or emerges allows us to anticipate growth and plan accordingly. Seasonal conditions, such as day length, soil temperature, and specific weather patterns, are important cues.
External Influences
Strategies like pulling tarps or crimping cover crops can play a role in weed suppression. The workshop also highlighted environmental triggers, such as excess nitrogen or fluctuating day-night temperatures, which can encourage weed growth.
Depth of Seed Emergence
By understanding how deep a seed is buried, farmers can choose appropriate tillage or no-till methods to prevent it from sprouting.
Timing of Seed Production
Different weeds have different timelines for seed production. For example, thistle seeds may emerge all at once, while teasel follows a long growing cycle. Knowing these timelines can help prevent weeds from reaching the seed stage, reducing their future impact.
Lifecycle and Weaknesses
Understanding the lifecycle of a weed allows us to exploit its natural weaknesses. This insight is vital for creating long-term strategies that reduce the need for intensive intervention.
Plant Physiology
We learned that roots are often energy storage containers for plants, especially perennials. By depleting these reserves, we can weaken the weed’s ability to regrow, providing a sustainable approach to control.
A Community of Soil Stewards
The workshop wasn’t just about learning; it was a chance to connect with a community of like-minded people dedicated to sustainable land care. Together at Sandown, we explored practical methods for building resilient agricultural systems that honor our ecosystems and support regenerative practices.
If you missed out, stay tuned for more events at Sandown. Each gathering builds on our shared mission to foster healthier soils, empower local farmers, and create sustainable food systems on Vancouver Island and beyond. Let's continue learning and growing together! Follow us on Eventbrite to stay informed about our next event!
A wonderful gathering of the year's events at Sandown! So much positive action toward supporting and growing local land stewardship and local food production is heartening, and is just what is needed to feed our future. Thank you for your dedicated and tireless work!