Lohbrunner Farm recently received some much needed seed money.
The $20,000 grant, which is part of the Vancouver City Savings Credit Union’s enviroFund, will be put to use to grow the farming operation. Represenatives from Vancity’s local branch were at the Langford farm last week to present the cheque to members of the Lohbrunner Community Farm Co-operative and FarmFolk CityFolk.
“With the money we’ll be putting up deer fence and irrigation,” explained Heather Pritchard, FarmFolk CityFolk farm program manager. “Deer fencing is absolutely critical to be able to farm … The birds can come and take a few berries but you don’t want the deer to come and devastate it.”
Last year, the Supreme Court of B.C. approved the transfer of Lohbrunner Farm from The Land Conservancy to FarmFolk CityFolk. The society plans to maintain the 13.4-acre farm, which includes the original farmhouse, for agricultural purposes and it is being run by the Lohbrunner Community Farm Co-operative.
With 15 registered members, the co-op is also looking to expand. “We’re opening up to the community,” noted Diana Brubaker, one of the member farmers.
Part of getting out into the community more – and making their presence known – saw culinary students from Royal Bay Secondary at the farm earlier in the spring, helping plant a pollinator garden and potatoes. Students will be back in September to see the fruits of their labour.
Brubaker added the Langford branch on Kelly Road, even offered to allow the co-op to showcase their farm for the month of October.
“As a fundraiser we’re growing a big pumpkin patch,” she noted, so the display will probably have a pumpkin theme.
Lohbrunner also hosts an open house the last Sunday of the month.
Through Vancity’s enviroFund, more than a dozen food projects were funded in the province with grants totalling $220,000.
Valorie Logan, the Langford community branch business account manager, took part in a tour of the farm and sampled a few of the tasty produce that was heading for the weekend’s market.
“It’s just one of the focuses for us to support local, sustainable food,” she said. “Vancity shares 30 per cent of its profit back to its members and into the community and this is part of that.”
For more information on Lohbrunner Farm, go to lohbrunnercommunityfarm.org.
katie@goldstream