L a rd e a u Vall e y
Agricultural Showcase Project
With lush valley bottoms and micro - climates
ideal for gardening created by Kootenay Lake...
and valley weather patterns, it is no surprise that the history of agricul-
ture in the Lardeau Valley is rich. Historically, the Lardeau Valley saw the
rise and fall of a bustling fruit (cherry/apple) economy in the days of the
SS Moyie, supported several families in beef and dairy cattle, harboured
Roy Lake’s seed potato farm, had a short-lived deer farm to supplement
Europe’s demand for venison after the Chernobyl disaster contaminat-
ed their usual sources, and even had a tulip farm to supplement crops
destroyed in Holland during WW1. In more recent history, the Lardeau
Valley boasts pioneers in the organic vegetable movement in the West
Kootenay: Tipiland has Kootenay Organic Growers (KOGS) certification
number 001 and McIntyre Farm has number 008!
Bon Bio Farm
is in its second year of pro-
duction with Dick Martin
and Brock Snyder, and other
community members. The
main inspirations of this
farm are rooted in self-sus-
tainability and the creation
of intentional community. As Dick explains, gardening is a good way
of bringing people together, and he invites visitors to come stay a few
days, help, and check out what’s going on. Certified Kootenay Mountain
Grown, Bon Bio uses organic, bio-intensive methods to bring the most
out of the land and produce. At this stage, the main focus is on winter
storage vegetables with a smaller amount of earlier produce.
Bon Bio vegetables can be bought at the Argenta Fall Fair, the Lardeau
Valley Harvest Festivals, farm gate sales, and Meadow Creek Store. Also,
the veggies go into the delicious fermented creations of Cultural Revo-
lution, which can be purchased at Sunnyside Naturals and local farmers
markets.
Contact 778-721-0553, bonbiogarden@protonmail.com
13349 Hwy 31, Meadow Creek, BC
Van Tuyl Farm, photo courtesy of Jim Lawrence
Further, there are community members such as Pius Bueler and Vince
McIntyre who have been gardening and farming for so many decades in
the Lardeau Valley that they are as much a part of the landscape as the
soil they (still) work.
The challenge is and has always been getting the incredible food grown in
this amazing place to the markets where people can get it. With our cul-
ture beginning to return to values such as eating local, ensuring local food
security, and supporting the local economy, this is beginning to change.
More people than ever are seeking out their local food sources. That is why
we want to make sure you know about our incredible agriculture economy
in the Lardeau Valley, and where you can access the bounty!!
Owner Michael Silver has loved
working and playing with plants
since as long as he can remem-
ber.  Now going into the sixth year
of successful operation as a certi-
fied organic food producer, Earth
Temple Gardens is cultivating
25-30 varieties of plants to grow
and sell on approximately 2 acres
of land in Argenta and the Lake
Head and Beyond farmlands in Meadow Creek. Earth Temple Gardens
is committed to producing high quality, nutrient-rich organic vegeta-
bles in the most sustainable way possible to nourish our local commu-
nities while enriching and supporting the biodiversity of the land.
   Produce can be bought/eaten widely: at the Meadow Creek Store; in
Kaslo at the Kaslo Farmer’s Market, Bluebell Bistro, Taqueria El Corazon,
Cornucopia, Front Street Market, Sunnyside Naturals; and in Nelson at
the Kootenay Co-op, Ellison’s, Save-on-Foods, Tulsi Conscious Café, All
Seasons, Red Light Ramen, Yum Som, Kurama Sushi, Soups in Seasons,
and El Taco. 
Contact: 250-366-4618 https://earthtemplegardens.wordpress.com
 ,
Grandma s Farm
Vacations
Owner/builder, Sarah Adair practices
minimum impact organic farming,
striving towards permaculture. Sar-
ah recognizes that there is a rela-
tionship between a plant and an
individual in which that plant is not
a commodity – “farming is an inter-
action that I’m just a part of.” Sarah’s
farm philosophy is to respect the Earth enough to have it release its healing capacity.
Sarah is selling farm fresh eggs from heritage dual purpose chickens, mixed fruits
and vegetables (summer and storage), and fence posts and rails. Produce can be got
from the farm gate when in season (please phone ahead). Guests at Grandma’s Farm
Funk Farm Greenhouse Vacations also enjoy food from Sarah’s farm in the prepared meals served there, and
Operated by Trevor and Denise Funk, and now in its third are extended an invitation to u-pick veggies/berries on the farm.
season selling bedding plants (flowers, veggies and
Contact 250-366-0041, http://grandmasfarmvacations.com
herbs), fresh mixed produce, hanging baskets, garden
pots, soil, honey, and eggs. The farm stand at the Funk
Farm will have these items available for sale as the sea-
son progresses, beginning in early spring right up until
frost in the fall. Bedding plants, hanging baskets, pots,
soil etc will be available at the farm stand and green-
house until mid June, and is open 10–5, 7 days a week
until then. Funk Farm produce can also be found at Sun-
nyside Naturals and Front Street Market in Kaslo.
Contact: 250-366-4417
funkfarmers@hotmail.com
143 Meadow Creek Road, Meadow Creek

With great reverence for our nat-

ural environment, Half Moon
Herbals is building herb gardens
using permaculture principles as
well as wild harvesting, and reclaiming disturbed lands using polycultures that
will build soil and help the work of ecosystem restoration. From the medicinal
herbs grown and gathered, medicine is made and remedies provided at the Kaslo
Farmers Market, through trade and/or to CSA members in the local community.
Contact: nbarsoum101@gmail.com or see Half Moon Herbals on Facebook.

Meadow Creek Organics

Owner and operator Rachel Dugdale got into organic farming because she
believed it was “the one thing not harmful to the rest of the planet.” With a
deep and reverent love of the Earth, Rachel strives to honour the land she
works with as much as possible, and has been doing so since the farm was
started six years ago.
Meadow Creek Organics focuses on mixed seasonal vegetables and a small
selection of flowers, which can be enjoyed through the Meadow Creek Or-
ganics Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program from June to Oc-
tober, and from the Meadow Creek Store. Rachel Dugdale is also a strong
supporter of the Lardeau Valley Sunday Market, and can be found there
every Sunday selling her produce.
Contact: rachellakefarm@gmail.com to sign up for a local CSA.
Vince McIntyre
Owner/operator Vince McIntyre came to the Lardeau Valley in 1973,
where he was inspired by the old time farmers such as Jim MacNicol
and Roy Lake who were farming cattle, potatoes, and small patches of
grain. Vince has followed this tradition, and has inspired many young
farmers over the years to pursue agriculture as a living. He cultivates a
number of acres around Argenta.
Vince does much of his farming in partnership with animals, using hors-
es for planting and plowing and raising cattle to fertilize his fields. He
sees that farming with animals is a perfect complement: “It’s simple and
it works.” Vince grows in rotation, letting some of his plots rest, culti-
vating some for hay, oats and peas to feed his animals, and the rest for
growing certified KOGS organic winter storage vegetables.
Produce can be bought: in the Lardeau Valley at the Meadow Creek
Store, the Argenta Fall Fair and the LV Harvest Festival; in Kaslo at Cornu-
copia, Front Street Market, and Sunnyside Naturals; and in Nelson at the
Kootenay Co-op, Ellison’s Market and the Cottonwood Market in the fall.
No contact available.
Tesla Spring Farm
“Don’t Panic, Eat Organic!”  Recognizing the pressure of increasing
population on the global environment, Jens Haagerup has chosen
to follow his father Bent Haagerup’s legacy of farming to contribute
to the provision of organically grown and disease free foods. In that
spirit, Tesla Spring Farm practices seed collection, strict quality/disease
control, and supporting/buying as local as possible.    
Tesla Spring Farm has been operating for 18 years, going through sev-
eral phases in that time, from a focus on chickens and organic eggs,
to now focusing primarily on hard neck
Russian Red Garlic. 
Currently there are 4000 heads of garlic
planted for seed and sale, and it can be
bought at Front Street Market in Kaslo, the
Lardeau Valley Farmer’s Market, and the
Lardeau Valley Harvest Festival. 
Contact gimle@xplornet.ca

The Pig Farm - Thomas Lunde and Eyn Khalsa Lang

Thomas Lunde got into raising pigs after being inspired by an article on pastured pigs. He
started out with six pigs, which has now grown to about 40 head of Large Black,and Eyn
Khalsa Lang has partnered with Thomas in the managing of this herd. Large black are one
of the original heritage breeds in Canada, and the one claimed to have made Canadian
bacon famous. These pigs are raised on a combination of commercial feed, compost from
local groceries, and pasture. An E-license allows the Pig Farm to sell 1/4s, 1/2s and full
carcasses. Farm gate sales and deliveries within RDCK regional district D.
Contact: 250-366-4261, ttlunde@gmail.com, 214 McLauchlin Road, Cooper Creek

Willet Peak Organics

Willet Peak Organics is run as a family business by Lila and Swen Birch. They were inspired
by the cultural value for agriculture that they observed while travelling in Europe and
strive to be part of that movement in Canada. Willet Peak Organics is a certified organ-
ic seed and table potato farm located on the Lake Head and Beyond Society farmlands in
Meadow Creek. They have been operating now for 4 years. Another major motivator for
Willet Peak Organics is acknowledging climate change and the extreme weather experi-
enced in many of the places we currently import food from, and the importance of being
part of a secure local food system. In that spirit, Willet Peak Organics is working on devel-
oping seed potatoes adapted to local climate and its changes, and thus has a diverse va-
riety of seed and eating potatoes. Willet Peak Organics is also working towards establish-
ing grain in rotation with potatoes to provide further feed, food and straw in the future.
For potatoes contact: willetpeakorganics@gmail.com
 Tipiland Organic Produce
Tipiland has been a pioneer in the organic agriculture movement in the region, as
evidenced by their Kootenay Organic Growers (KOGS) certification number of 001. Tipiland
was founded in 1989 by Sarah Ross when there was very little market for organic produce.
Tipiland persevered through these times, now owned and operated by Gary Diers and
Inanna Judd for the past 22 years, and run successfully with the business goal of providing a
modest income in right livelihood, employing local people at a decent wage, and operating
within the present economic system while staying true to these values and sound organic
farming practices. Currently there are 3 garden areas on the Argenta Land Co-op in Argenta,
totalling 2.5 acres. Tipiland specializes in organic garlic, mixed veggies which are delivered
fresh to market in Kaslo and Nelson every Thursday from spring to fall, and a huge variety of
cut flowers. Produce can be found in Kaslo at Cornucopia, Front Street Market, and Buddy’s
Pizzeria; and Nelson at the Kootenay Co-op, Save-on-Foods, Ellison’s, Kootenay Bakery Co-
op, Bella Flora; and in Argenta at the Argenta Fall Fair. Contact: tipilandop@gmail.com

Hay & Manure Up The Lake Farm

Cord Bauer
Cord is seeking to make a sustainable living in the Lardeau Valley outside of
forestry, with an intention of contributing to the ability of his neighbours to
raise their own meat animals. Cord is selling grass hay from July 1st through
winter while supplies last. Specializing in round bales – u-pick up, we load.
Square bales also available to order and load off the field.
Contact 250-366-4394.
The Grange Farm
Believing in supporting the local economy and local food sources, The
Grange Farm has been selling composted cattle manure for 5+ years to
countless contented local gardeners and farmers. Farm gate sales – u-pick
up, we load. Available spring and fall. Hwy 31, Meadow Creek.
By appointment. Contact: 250-366-4699
Owners/operators Fiona Daniels and George Nenzel have square bales of
grass hay for sale, available year-round. This hay is enjoyed by the horses
of Fiona Daniels’ riding school. The horses are also the producers of natural
and chemical-free composted horse manure, which is bagged and for sale at
the farm gate. Contact: 250-366-4119; fiona@lardeauvalley.com , 12837
Hwy 31, Cooper Creek
Van Tuyl Farm
Van Tuyl Farm has been operating since 1978, and currently has 31 cattle on
196.5 acres in Meadow Creek. Owner/operator Manon Van Tuyl took over
the running of the farm in 2011 after her husband Hank passed away. She
has been running it since then despite having a career as an accountant
because, “that is what I wanted to do, and you cannot live on a place this
size without farming it!” Currently available for sale from the farm gate are
square/round grass hay bales and manure.
Contact: 250-366-4381, 13261 Hwy 31 Meadow Creek.

Agriculture Adjacent Businesses/Societies

Argenta Greenhouse Lardeau Valley Farmers Market Lardeau Valley Opportunity LINKS Society:
Stemming from years of construction and Lardeau Valley  Sunday  Market, in the LINKS is a non-profit society with a purpose to promote and
organic gardening experience, Argenta heart of Meadow Creek on Highway 31, facilitate the social, economic and environmental interests
Greenhouse sells and installs made-to-or- 38 km north of Kaslo, runs from mid June of residents of the Lardeau Valley. The society has a mandate
der greenhouses designed to withstand until mid September. Now in its tenth to assist individuals, groups, and organizations who wish to
the elements and provide an optimal year of operation, this gem of a market develop projects, services or businesses of balanced benefit to
growing environment for plants and crops. has provided a selling platform for many the Lardeau Valley. In a community survey conducted by LINKS,
Contact: 250-552-7416 or 250-366-4223, of the local farmers and food producers. agriculture was identified as the primary economy residents
www.argentagreenhouse.com Contact: saw for the future of the Lardeau Valley.
Meadow Creek Store lvmarketcoordinator@gmail.com As one can see by the number of agriculture businesses already
Meadow Creek Store always tries to or Facebook www.facebook.com/ operating in the Lardeau Valley, it truly is a bread basket in
buy locally when possible, as they too lardeauvalleymarket/ the West Kootenay, and farming is a livelihood for many
depend on local support. Among their Lakehead and Beyond community members living up the lake. In that vein, LINKS has
other products, currently they are sell- Produce Society made promoting the agricultural economy of our area a focus,
ing potatoes and carrots from Vince The purposes of the society are to: grow, through projects such as The Agriculture Incubation Project
McIntyre, produce from Meadow Creek promote and encourage sustainable ag- which distributed wage and infrastructure subsidies to eligible
Organics and Earth Temple Gardens, lo- riculture for distribution to members of farmers in Area D for 2017 and 2018 (funded by RDCK and CBT,
cal eggs, and veg/flower starts from local the Lardeau Valley and beyond. Also, to with huge thanks), and this Lardeau Valley Agriculture Showcase
gardeners. Owners Kris and Mark are al- assist and educate community members project (funded by CBT CIP/AAP). LINKS administrator, Chelsey
ways happy for people to come and ask if in sustainable agricultural practices. They Jones, has also become a council member for LINKS on the
their produce can be sold at the Meadow currently hold a long term lease on 20+ Central Kootenay Food Policy Council to serve as a community
Creek Store. acres in Meadow Creek, which can be advocate and representative for food security and sound food
Contact: 250-366-4216, leased to local food producers for a very policy for the Lardeau Valley.
13312 Hwy 31 downtown Meadow Creek reasonable rate. Please feel free to contact LINKS any time: 250-366-0075,
meadowcreekstore@telus.net Contacts: PO Box 14, Meadow Creek, links@lardeauvalley.com, PO Box 194, Meadow Creek.
Also on Facebook. BC, V0G 1N0
A Lardeau Valley Opportunity LINKS Society community project: lardeauvalley.wordpress.com