This page will be updated regularly with notices of interest to Members as well as a Calendar of Events
Upcoming Events:
In Memorium
Garnet William Lee
April 28, 1951 – April 25, 2012
Garnet was born near the little prairie town of Fairlight, Saskatchewan.
He was predeceased by parents Harry and Vera Lee, brother Ivan, and father-in-law Oliver Dubois.
He leaves his wife of 36 years, Kerry, daughters Rhonda (Mike) and Sandra (Dylan), sister Ila (Barry), mother-in-law Ella Dubois, and sister-in-law Kathy Mouat (Gerald). He also leaves many cousins East of the Rockies, and many friends on Salt Spring Island and in the Cowichan Valley.
Garnet spent most of his working life as a mechanic for the Municipality of N. Cowichan, while raising his family in Crofton. The past 19 years were spent farming on Salt Spring Island.
He was a volunteer fireman on Vancouver Island for many years, and an active member of SSI Farmers Institute and SSI Farmland Trust. His passion was the Fall Fair. Garnet was always willing to help out friends and neighbours. He was well known for his integrity, honesty, generosity, practical skills, sense of humour and “Garnet wisdom”.
Thanks to so many friends and neighbours who are helping our family over these difficult months, Doctors at RJH, and Victoria Hospice and their incredible team. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to a SSI Community Group of your choice or Victoria Hospice.
Please join us to honour Garnet and share your stories.
Celebration of Life will be held at the Farmers Institute, 351 Rainbow Rd.
June 2, at 2:00 p.m.
Salt Spring Island Farmers’ Institute
Receives Agricultural Land
in the Fulford Valley
One of the agricultural jewels of Salt Spring Island, within view of Mt. Maxwell and with Reid Creek flowing through it year round, the Fulford property has been active farmland for over 100 years. For almost six years, the owners of the land, Three Point Properties has worked with the Salt Spring Island Farmers’ Institute and the Islands Trust, to see sixty acres of this farm land transferred to our island for farming. A very generous corporate deed which will create far reaching opportunities for the agricultural future of this island.
As of May, 2011, the Salt Spring Island Farmers’ Institute now owns this property which is by prior agreement currently under lease for hay production for this year. However, upon completion of due diligence, the Salt Spring Island Farmers’ Institute is resolved to transfer
the land to the Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust Society. The Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust Society was founded in 2009 with a positive community vision of maintaining the pastoral and agricultural heritage of Salt Spring Island, a priority of this community’s Area Farm Plan. The Farmland Trust was established to help this community turn the corner on the eroding farm base on Salt Spring and provide opportunities for young, educated farmers. It is the vision of the Farmland Trust to help create access to affordable land, while offering other compatible agricultural uses for the community.
The Fulford property has the potential of becoming one of the island’s newest and most valuable assets, – our model would involve a mixture of private tenants, including young food producing farmers to use the land to its ‘highest and best use’. The produce from which will sustain local residents, restaurants and food outlets. Local farmers, in turn, would provide mentorship to new farmers. Finally, there would be an area reserved for community gardens for individual use, where islanders can grow their own food.
Island farmers once produced most of our food supply. Now it is less than 6%. With a rising cost in fuel, a changing climate and recognition of the health hazards of industrial agriculture, a return to safe, fresh, locally produced sustainable food production is critical. Precious farmland zoned for agricultural use requires protection so that young, hard-working farmers seeking long-term tenure can be supported. The Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust Society is committed to meeting these needs.
Our goals are consistent with the existing agricultural zoning regulations, the Salt Spring Island Area Farm Plan and the Official Community Plan. The Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust Society offers a model that islanders, the surrounding Gulf Islands and the Province can feel proud to support.
Our constitution was created to facilitate a diversity of strategies. These include the purchase and leasing of farmland, education and training, sustainable farming practices and the enhancement of the island’s capabilities. Our pact with the Islands Trust and the Salt Spring Island Farmers’ Institute is to uphold the covenant on the Fulford Property and to protect it as indivisible farmland for the purpose of farming in perpetuity.
The Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust Society believes that the values we hold and the work we will do here will serve this greater community as well. The Fulford Property will become home to a diversity of farming pursuits and a productive food source for Salt Spring Island. It will be a focal point for community agricultural education, farm marketing and events that are inclusive to all islanders, in cooperation with the Society, as managers of the land.
We encourage you to learn more about the Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust Society. We appreciate your interest, ideas and support. Correspondence may be sent to
Marguerite Lee, President, Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust Society,
380 Stark Road, SSI BC V8K 1M4
Marguerite Lee Rick Vipond
President President
Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust Society Salt Spring Island Farmers’ Institute
2012 Farm Directory
If any of your information has changed or if you would like to be listed
contact Margaret Threlfall at 250-537-4535 or willowcrest@shaw.ca
2011 Directories are still available at Foxglove Farm & Garden or you can view a copy here on our website by clicking on the Farm Directory tab.