Blueberry Commons

07/02/2024

THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME OUT FOR OUR U-PICK OPENING DAY! It was a blast and the great thing is we get to do it all again three more times this week:
Wednesday 9:00am - 12:00pm
Thursday 2:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday 9:00am - 12:00pm

Located at the very end of King Avenue in Wildwood. (Photos all used with permission - thanks!)

07/01/2024

WE ARE OPENING TOMORROW, JULY 1 - COME ON DOWN!! We are located at the end of King Avenue in Wildwood. Hours on Mondays are 9:00 am - 12:00 noon. Park carefully out on the street and follow the arrows to the farm field! Come and get your veg on!!

06/29/2024

Join us this coming Monday July 1 for the first U-Pick day! What better way to celebrate our love for this land than to connect with plants, soil, and organic food! We are located at the end of King Ave in Wildwood. U-Pick hours are 9-12noon Mon/WedsSat and 2:00 to7:00 pm on Thursdays. Families welcome!!

06/23/2024

OUR U-PICK OPENS ON MONDAY, JULY 1!

It has been a bit of a slower start to the season but with the recent warmer weather, things are moving now!

Our U-Pick gives you the opportunity to come and choose the food that will be on your plate! A great outing for the family and a sweet way to connect with local food!!

There are four U-Pick times every week:
Mondays - 9:00am - 12:00pm
Wednesdays - 9:00 am - 12:00pm
Thursdays - 2:00pm - 7:00 pm
Saturdays - 9:00am - 12:00 pm

Adults pay a nominal fee ($5) to enter, kids are free. You can also buy a U-Pick Season Pass for $25 which allow unlimited entries. See: https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/shop/upick
ALL U-PICK PRODUCE IS GIVEN A 10% DISCOUNT!

Here's some of what will be ready for picking by July 1:
- strawberries
- zucchini
- lettuce
- kale
- chard
- mini cucumbers
- green onions
- beets
- garlic scapes
- broccolini
- green cabbage
- snap peas
As the days go by, more and more items will be added. We have tomatoes larger than baseballs in our hoop house! There is a great looking blueberry crop and with a little luck they'll be ready by mid-July.

Get regular updates of what is available here:https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/shop/upick

06/19/2024

New in the farm stand today: BROCCOLINI!
Long tender shoots and leaves with flower clusters and a delectable mild broccoli flavour - yum!!

And more strawberries everyday. We had visitors yesterday who commented that our strawberries were far better than the ones they recently ate fresh at a farm in North Umbria Italy - now that's a compliment!

Open everyday, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at the very end of King Avenue. We take cash, credit, debit, and Etransfer for payment.

Eat Local, Live Well!

06/14/2024

OH SO MANY WAYS TO USE GARLIC SCAPES!

What is your favourite? I love using them fresh chopped up into all kinds of dishes. But I also love drying and grinding them into the most tasty of garlic powders! This article has some great recipes: https://www.allrecipes.com/best-garlic-scape-recipes-8647104

We have plenty of scapes now ready for you in our farm stand and at the market on Saturday.. Large bundles of 12 for $5. Happy to make a deal if you want a bulk amount for making pesto. Shoot me a message!

We are open every day from 10:00am to 7:00pm and take every kind of payment. Very end of King Avenue in Wildwood.

05/30/2024

It's been a while since we posted an update 'cause we've been planting up a storm! Now please send us some sun and warm nights so things will grow!!

The GOOD NEWS is that there is more in our farm stand every day! Right now we have our sensational salad greens, crunchy fresh kale, nummy Napa (Chinese) cabbages, gorgeous green onions, super spring garlic (OMG amazing fresh stalks and small bulbs with the BEST garlic flavour that you really must try!), sumptuous strawberries, natural nettles, bountiful baby beets, scintillating cilantro (and a few other herbs) and the ever popular Pirate Popsicles - anew selection just in!

We are open EVERYDAY 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. We take every form of payment you can throw at us!! Come check us out at the very end o King Avenue in Wildwood.

05/20/2024

05/20/2024

Yes, our farm stand IS OPEN today! Farmers don't generally get days off ... :-0 The good news is we have freshly harvested salad greens and these gorgeous Napa cabbages ready for you! Time for a stir fry, salad, some kim chi, or veggie wraps!!

We are at the very end of King Avenue open EVERYDAY from 10:00am to 7:00 pm.

05/13/2024

Let's talk NAPA CABBAGE!

These are a spring cabbage, best started in late winter and ready to go right about now. And we have a LOT of them coming every day.

Also known as Chinese cabbage, these are a true brassica with huge outer leaves and tender, tight insides with lighter crinkly leaves.

These are best known for being the main ingredient in kimchee but they are also a great all purpose vegetable for stir frying, eating in salads, soups, or using as salad wraps!

If you want a few for fermenting, please let us know in advance. Otherwise we will have some stocked in our farm stand everyday.

We've also started to harvest salad greens and spinach and have a few bags of each every day or two as well. Plus there are some lovely bedding plants, biochar for your spring planting and PIRATE POPSICLES - with a new order coming this week!

And DON'T FORGET! Farm Bond sales end at midnight on May 15. Get yours now and save money throughout the season: https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/shop/farm-bonds

05/12/2024

Coming up in just two weeks in Vancouver!

WEAVING TOGETHER COHOUSING AND FOOD SECURITY IN POWELL RIVER

Curious about cohousing? Passionate about sustainability, local food production and living in close connection to nature on a beautiful piece of land?

Join us for an in-person information session about Blueberry Commons Farm Cooperative on Sunday, May 26, 4:00 pm at Little Mountain Cohousing common room, 4985 Quebec Street in Vancouver.

Blueberry Commons Farm Cooperative located in Tla’amin territory (Powell River, BC) will be breaking ground this summer on the development of sustainable housing along side an organic farm on the edge of the city

Cohousing is a form of citizen-led housing development in which members have their own homes but share common amenities such as a community building, gardens and workshops. Cohousing is one important way of addressing the current housing crisis and creating micro-neighbourhoods where residents can support each other and enjoy a high quality of life.

Blueberry Commons is unique in that it combines the cohousing model with an organic farm. Founders are committed to sustainability and a big element of that is fostering local food security. Their 16 acres of land currently grows an amazing abundance of organic food for members and the wider community.

The first phase of construction beginning this summer will create seven homes expected to be ready for occupation in spring, 2025. Blueberry Commons is currently recruiting members and welcomes anyone who is interested to join this in-person-information session at Little Mountain Cohousing on Sunday May 26 at 4:00pm. .

To register, write to: [email protected]
Visit https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/ for more information.

05/07/2024

ONLY NINE MORE DAYS TO GET YOUR FARM BONDS FOR THIS SEASON!

That's right - every year we end off our Farm Bond sales at midnight on May 15th. But there is still time! You can order your Farm Bonds here: https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/shop/farm-bonds

So what's the point of Farm Bonds anyways, and why might this be a good option for you?? To answer this question, here are our TOP TEN REASONS FOR BUYING FARM BONDS:

1. SAVE MONEY - Every Farm Bond of $50 gives you $55 of purchasing power - that's 10% you automatically save. And if you decide you would like to come to our U-Pick, you save ANOTHER 10% and that adds up to a lot! Contrary to popular myth, local food is often NOT more expensive than what you buy at the big box outlet.

2. CONVENIENCE - When you buy Farm Bonds you get a gift card that you can use in our farm stand, at the market or at our U-pick. You don't need to worry about cash or Etransfers and it's quick and easy to use!

3. HEALTH - Committing to eating local organic is a big investment in your health. There is no doubt that freshly harvested, organic fruits and vegetables grown in healthy, vibrant soil are nutrient dense and super good for you. There is no better bang for your buck than eating great food.

4. TASTE - Local farmers and gardeners grow an amazing array of produce varieties that you will never find in the grocery store. And we all know that a freshly harvested carrot, melon or tomato is in a whole different universe than the stuff that comes through the industrial food chain. Farm Bonds (and CSA's and Farmer's Markets) ensure that you will be able to share in this amazing local abundance.

5. BE PART OF A COMMUNITY - We highly value our Farm Bond holders and see you as part of our farm ecosystem! We enjoy getting to know you and sharing our farm with you. You are welcome for farm visits, tours and special events so you get to know first hand where your food comes from and who is growing it for you!

6. SUSTAINABILITY - Food grown in the global industrial food system uses an average of 10 calories of fossil fuel to produce one calorie of food. It is grossly inefficient, not to mention incredibly wasteful as research suggests that around 40% of industrial food ends up in the garbage - gross! Local organic farmers and gardeners produce amazingly good food with very low environmental impact and little waste.

7. FOOD SECURITY - Buying Farm Bonds or supporting local farms in other ways ensures that we will be producing food for the local community for years to come. We are all well aware of the big threats to and fragility within the global food system (climate change, supply chain breakdown, corporate greed, etc). We need a vibrant and viable local food system that we can count on for years to come.

8. GOOD ECONOMICS - Supporting a local farm, just like other local businesses, ensures that your money will circulate within the local economy rather than flying out into the pockets of corporate shareholders and CEO's. Big grocery chains ultimately care little for the well-being of our community or for the many hands who grow the food, often in terrible conditions. And does Jimmy Pattison really NEED another mega yacht? Supporting small farms allows you to put your money where your values are.

9. FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD! - Grocery stores are ultimately retail operations that know little about how or where food is grown. Farmers and gardeners who grow food know food, and they are happy to share their experience and knowledge with you. Buying Farm Bonds and connecting with local farms in other ways gives you the chance to get to know your farmer, see where your food is grown and to increase your own food growing skills.

10. FUN! - I don't know about you but trying to push my way through a crowded grocery isle with other cranky shoppers is not my idea of a good time. Compare that to hanging out at the Farmer's market, visiting a farm stand or participating in a U-pick! Food is a great connector and can be a joyful, meaningful way to connect with the land and with each other.

Thank you for supporting local agriculture in whatever way you choose to do so. If Farm Bonds are a good fit for you, click here to buy yours today: https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/shop/farm-bonds

05/01/2024

FARM STAND UPDATE!

Thanks to all who have made our first few days a roaring success!

We are struggling to keep up with the demand for asparagus(it is truly amazingly delish) but we are adding some more every day! Chinese cabbages and spinach will be along sometime next week!

AND, we now have the amazing PIRATE POPSICLES stocked in our freezer! These natural locally made gourmet popsicles pack a serious amount of YUM!! Three flavours to pick from: Raspberry Lemon, Mango Lime and Black Cherry Creamsicle!!

We have also added a wider selection of organic tomato seedlings. Currently we have 'Jasper' (blight resistant, indeterminate prolific producer), 'Brandywine' (heirloom, very large and super sweet, indeterminate), 'Skyway' (determinate bush large beefsteak producer), 'Sunrise Bumblebee' (the most beautiful large size cherry tomatoes you will ever see), and 'Caiman' (great all round reliable slicer tomato, indeterminate). All have been grown with organic seed and organic potting mix.

You can use your Farm Bonds for all of these items AND get a 10% discount! Just two more weeks to get your farm Bonds for this year: https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/shop/farm-bonds

04/30/2024

What a fantastic initiative for local food security. Time to get on board!

Send a message to learn more

04/28/2024

UPCOMING INFORMATION SESSIONS
Are you looking for healthy, resilient community? Are you passionate about connection to nature, healthy organic food, and being deeply rooted in a special, beautiful place?
Blueberry Commons Farm and Cohousing Cooperative will be starting construction this coming summer on six additional homes on our 16 acres in Tla'amin territory on the Sunshine Coast (qathet/Powell River) of British Columbia. There could be room for you!
Here are two upcoming opportunities for you to find out more:
SATURDAY, MAY 4 ,4:00 PM PDT - Zoom-based on-line Information Session
SUNDAY, MAY 26, 4:00 PM PDT - In-Person Information Session in Vancouver at Little Mountain Co-housing common room.
Please email [email protected] to register for either of these two events and to receive final details.
Blueberry Commons runs a successful certified organic farm growing a diversity of fruits, vegetables and herbs. We are intimately connected to the wider community through the farm with lots of student visits, events, volunteers and customers. We use sociocracy as our governance and decision-making structure to ensure good process and equivalency of voice.
Find our more about Blueberry Commons here: www.blueberrycommons.ca

04/26/2024

OUR FARM STAND IS NOW OPEN!!

Everyday from 10:00am to 7:00pm
Very end of King Avenue in Wildwood

We are opening up much earlier than usual as we have a beautiful crop of asparagus we are now harvesting, lots of green and purple kale, nettles, rhubarb, bedding plants, seeds and biochar! Come and check it out!

We take cash, E-transfer, debit, credit, cheques and Farm Bond cards. What's a "Farm Bond card" you ask? Check it out here: https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/shop/farm-bonds Farm Bonds give you 10% extra purchasing power - that's a great way to save!

04/21/2024

Well that was fun! Thanks to all for your support of local agriculture. And BTW, did you know that Canada has more cooperative membership per capita than any other country in the world?

04/16/2024

NEW THIS YEAR AT OUR FARM: U-PICK FRUITS AND VEGGIES!!
We are very excited to be adding this new option for how you can get fresh, organic local food at a great price!

Of course we will continue to be at the market and will have our farm stand open everyday from 10:00am – 7:00 pm if you prefer those options. Here are the details on the U-pick:

WHY A U-PICK?
We are interested in connecting people with the source of their food and there is no better way than inviting you onto the farm! A U-pick enables you to have the freshest, highest quality organic produce available – just what you want when you need it! Coming to a U-pick can also be a very fun and social activity that you can share with friends and family.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
We are charging a small picking fee of $5 for adults, kids are free. You can also purchase a U-Pick Season pass for $25 here: https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/shop/upick. Produce will be priced by the pound at 10% lower than what we sell it for in our farm stand or at market. If you buy our Farm Bonds (https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/shop/farm-bonds) before May 15, you will save an additional 10% which adds up to a whopping 20% discount! Just like at our farm stand, you can pay with cash, cheque, debit, credit or E-transfer.

WHEN CAN YOU COME?
Our U-pick will be open four times per week: Mon/Weds/Sat from 9:00am – 12:00pm and Thurs 2:00 – 7:00 pm starting in late June to mid-October.

HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT IS READY TO BE PICKED?
We will have regular updates posted on our website. You can sign up for a weekly U-pick bulletin as well https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/shop/upick . Our goal is to have a diversity of fruits, berries, vegetables and herbs available to you throughout the season! Once you come to the farm each row will be clearly marked when it is ready to be picked.

WHAT WILL YOU HAVE?
We grow over 40 different organic fruits, vegetables, berries and herbs. From asparagus to zucchini - we grow it all! We just put in 400 linear feet of ever-bearing strawberries and of course we have 800 blueberry plants. Some regular favorites are our melons, sweet corn, sweet potatoes and squash! Our greenhouses are bursting with seedlings that will create much abundance throughout the coming year.

Blueberry Commons is located in Wildwood at the very end of King Avenue. There is plenty more information on our website that you can read about here: https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/shop/upick

Thank you for your support of local agriculture! We hope to see you soon at our farm stand or at our U-pick!!

Oh, and our farm stand will be opening mid next-week with organic asparagus, kale, rhubarb, nettles, biochar and plant starts. Stay tuned!!

04/02/2024

Curious about Co-housing?

Join us for an on-line information session, Sunday April 7, 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Email [email protected] or send us a PM to register.

We will share an overview of our project with you plus all of our exciting plans for our first phase of development coming soon!
We currently have openings for an expected move-in date of April 2025. Find out how you can be part of this innovative and dynamic project bringing together food security, sustainability and community living!

04/02/2024

Everyday there are more flats of seedlings filling our greenhouse! Shaping up to be a good start to the season.
You can be part of our farm abundance by purchasing Farm Bonds now: http:www.Blueberrycommons.ca/farm
Farm Bonds give you 10% more value at our Farm Stand, the market or our U-Pick.

03/28/2024

UPDATE: HUGE THANKS TO PAT, MIEL. ERIK AND HEATHER FOR YOUR WONDERFUL GIFTS. SO VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!

Hey World!

Every now and then we like to put out to the Universe a few things we are needing for the farm. I am amazed by how often some of these items seem to show up!
For the most part, we are looking for gifts, trades, or great deals as these are items that we just don't have the ability to go out and buy right now given how tight the farm economy usually is. Maybe you have one of these lying around and would like to move them on or maybe you know somebody who does.

So here goes:

1. WHEELBARROWS - we could really use a couple more that are either usable or fixable. They can be ugly and old, just need to be able to function.

2. METAL BURNING BARREL - to be converted into a biochar maker that I am trading to another person for some metal to finish one of our field shacks. Needs to be solid and ideally with a top.

3. LARGE ROLLS OF TWINE - can be jute or plastic.

4. PLYWOOD - minimum 1/2" thick. Used is great, reasonably clean preferred. Other lumber would be helpful too.

5. SHELVING - Preferably metal but wood will work. For storing produce in our walk-in food cooler.

6. TRACTOR WITH A BUCKET - OK, I know this is a big ask!! We do not do heavy machine tillage in our fields so have a small walk behind unit that does all we need. Except for the ability to carry heavy loads from place to place and to turn large compost piles. We would love to become self-sufficient in compost for our two acres of production but to do that we really need to have some machine help to manage the piles. That is the main thing we really need the tractor for. A skid steer would work too. If it runs, moves and lifts, that would be great!

OK gift economy - it's up to you!

Pictures are for reference and attention only.

03/26/2024

Seeds are up! Amazing how fast and strong our germination is looking - a harbinger of so much good food to come! Garlic is also looking very strong and our sweet potato slips are cruising!

You can share in the abundance of our farm by purchasing your Farm Bonds today! Our Farm Bonds cost $50 each but give you $55 of value - a great way to reduce your food costs by10% and getting the freshest organic produce around!

https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/shop/farm-bonds

Invest in your health and local sustainable agriculture with Farm Bonds!

03/26/2024

We are looking for options on moving a large load of organic compost from Campbell River to our farm in Wildwood. Approximately 14 cubic yards. Willing to hire out or rent a vehicle/trailer. Needs a dump. Can be flexible on delivery date but would like to have it here within a couple of weeks. Anybody have the goods? Picture for context.

03/21/2024

Exciting things are happening at Blueberry Commons!

We will be starting construction on our first phase of cohousing development this coming summer! It has been a long road and we are excited to be finally getting underway with the creation of more housing units along side our thriving organic farm!

We are located on Tla'amin traditional territory in the qathet (Powell River) region of the beautiful Sunshine Coast of BC. There are hundreds of km of mountain trails, lakes, parks and ocean access all very close to us.

During this first phase of development, we will be constructing six additional homes: four semi-detached units and two stand-alone units. Homes will be compact and energy efficient, approximately 750-800 square feet on the main floor with an additional 450 undeveloped square feet on a second story.

To support this development, we have retained the services of Ronaye Matthew of Cohousing Development Consulting. Ronaye has successfully supported 11 co-housing projects to completion in Canada and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.

Working with Mobius Architecture, we are near to completing the site design for this first phase of construction. You can visit our website to see the site design and conceptual designs for our homes. The builder for our project will be Spani Developments, a builder of fine homes located on the Sunshine Coast.

While most of these homes are already spoken for, we do have some openings! Potential members are encouraged to visit our website https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/join-us for full information on our membership process. You can also take a tour of the land here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r7foU2qVd0&t=471s

Co-housing offers a rich blend of private ownership of homes with opportunities for community connection, sharing of resources and working together on a shared vision. Members own their own homes and a share in all of our land and common amenities including the farm. We welcome you to join with us on this journey!

03/18/2024

Farm Bonds vs CSA - WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

A few people have been asking this question so here you go!

A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program provides you with a weekly food box or bag throughout the season. Usually they run for 16-24 weeks and cost between $600-$1200 which you pay at the start of the season. Some CSA programs offer delivery, others you have to pick-up. Almost all CSA programs provide a set selection of veggies each week based on what is available on the farm - usually there is no choice. But you are guaranteed a regular selection of fresh local food and that's great!

FARM BONDS are more flexible. You pre-purchase credit from the farm at the start of the season and you use it to buy what you want, when you want it. We developed FARM BONDS a few years ago because we heard that for some people, a CSA program isn't a great fit. They may not like certain veggies (maybe kale or beets?), or they want a lot of some things and not much of others. With FARM BONDS, the choice is ALL yours.

In our case, FARM BONDS also give you an extra 10% of value - one bond costs $50 but gives you $55 worth of produce! To use FARM BONDS you do need to come to our Farm Stand or shop at the Farmer's Market or come to our U-Pick. If you use your FARM BONDS at our U-pick, you'll get another 10% discount which means a savings of 20% total - that can make a huge difference to your food budget!

Both CSA's and FARM BONDS are a great way to support local farms as it provides much needed cash flow early in the season. AND, it is a great way to ensure your own food security throughout the season. FARM BONDS have the added bonus that you can use them to buy large amount of products you might want to preserve for the winter - dill pickles anyone!?

To purchase your FARM BONDS for the coming season, visit our website here: https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/shop/farm-bonds

Big shout out to Christopher Heffley for this gorgeous new FARM BONDS graphic!!

03/14/2024

Hello Local Food Lovers!
We are now offering our Farm Bonds for sale for the coming farm season! https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/shop/farm-bonds

Farm Bonds allow you to purchase what you want, when you want it and they give you an extra 10% of value! Each Farm Bond costs $50 and is good for $55 worth of organic produce. Farm Bonds can be used at our Farm Stand, at the market, and at our NEW U-Pick too! The U-pick will offer reductions of 10% on the cost of produce which means combined with Farm Bonds, you will receive a 20% discount for the freshest, healthiest local food possible! There's no better deal than that!!

But you need to act soon. We sell a limited number of Farm Bonds every year and the absolute cut off is May 15. You can buy your Farm Bonds here: https://www.blueberrycommons.ca/shop/farm-bonds

Stay tuned for more information on our launch of a full scale fruit and veggie U-Pick coming soon ... !