Forbes Family Farms
Our 12.9 acre home farm of fruit, vegetables, and free-range animals is located just north of Oliver in B.C.'s sunny Okanagan Valley. We have operated the farm since 1974 (organically since 1995), and have seen many changes, both in agriculture itself and in the need for consumers to know where and how their food is being grown. We also lease a nearby 5-acre orchard which we entered into the organic program and which is now fully certified. Both farms are certified organic and we are members of the Pacific Agricultural Certification Society that is recognized as an international certification body with over 200 members. Our certification officer is trained by the Independent Organic Inspectors' Association of North America
We try to produce food in harmony with nature and without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. All the farm animals perform various vital functions in the growth of fruit and vegetables. Our free-range chickens happily scratch around the trees and our turkeys contribute (either with grazing or as natural composters of all the vegetative material).
Our pigs help turns over the ground to prepare for the coming crop and happily
consume any culled fruit and vegetables.
A small portion of the home farm is a wetland area that we have preserved in conjunction with The Land Conservancy of B.C. and the town of Oliver. We have made the area available, through a walking path, to the general public and school groups in the hope that they will realize the importance of preserving areas such as this for the amphibian and bird species that are fast disappearing.
We believe the organic approach to farming is essential to ensure personal good health and environmental well-being for all, now and in the future. Not surprisingly, food produced organically tastes delicious and is, naturally, also very nutritious. We hope you enjoy eating our organic produce.
Gord & Steve Forbes