David and Nathalie Chambers are true eco-farmers. Madrona Farm, already a TLC Conservation Partner, features Douglas fir and Garry Oak ecosystems, four natural ponds and a wooded corridor of diverse native tree species that Nathalie & Dave began planting in 2004. More than 130 fruit trees now stabilize the farm's southwest facing slope. Madrona is home to many species of birds, including great horned and screech owls, eagles, red-tailed hawks and herons. “There’s not a spreadsheet in the world that can measure the value of maintaining forest on the northern slopes of a farm,” said farmer Joel Salatin in The Omnivore’s Dilemma.

It seems that demand for local food is not a problem, but supply is at risk. The farm market at Madrona Farm sells out all the time - and fast! People are lining up at farmers’ markets everywhere long before the opening bell. The media is full of stories about the demand for locally grown, environmentally sustainable products. The question of whether we want local food is being answered with an increasingly loud “Yes!” But that demand creates the new question – where is this food going to come from if we don’t protect and maintain farmland and make it affordable for farmers to farm?

Last year, Dave and Nathalie produced over 128,000 pounds of food on this land, feeding
hundreds of loyal customers at their roadside stand for 11 months of the year - with virtually no waste, no artificial inputs, and using less than 700 litres of diesel. There is something phenomenally satisfying about making a salad from local greens – in January. Now, Dave is training new farmers - people actually interested in growing our food themselves someday. The question is whether they will have land to do that. Our farmlands are at risk of becoming as endangered as any red-listed species.

Madrona has been a fixture on Blenkinsop Road since David’s grandparents, Lawrence and Ruth Chambers bought it in 1952. When Ruth died in 2002, ownership of the farm was passed on to her three sons – David’s father and two uncles. They, in turn leased the property to David and Nathalie to farm and it has flourished. But now, the brothers want to sell and although the property is the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), the designation does not require the land to be kept in food production. Without further protection, Madrona could be purchased for use as a “hobby farm” or “Gentleman’s Estate,” and never again used for growing food for our community.

One of TLC’s mandates is to protect farmland for farming – a big step toward local food security and agricultural land preservation.

The FOMF Society needs support. Together we can ensure that Madrona Farm will remain in local food production forever. We will send a clear message about the importance of locally grown, nutritious food to our health and the well-being of our community. Become a Friend of Madrona Farm and help us protect farm land – forever.

Please make your donation now! Online at: http://www.conservancy.bc.ca/donatetomadrona

Note - TLC is a registered charity and land trust protecting wilderness areas, cultural landmarks and agricultural lands in BC. Since 1997, TLC has protected almost 120,000 acres of sensitive and threatened lands, involving more than 300 projects. TLC has grown to include over 7,000 members, and is now part of an international network of National Trusts with over 7 million members. For more information, visit http://www.conservancy.bc.ca.

Upcoming Events

Give the Gift of Food Security

Now you can donate to the Madrona campaign for someone else, instead of (or as well as) giving a gift. This is a great alternative to the usual array of holiday gifts. Just click on the "Give the Gift of Food Security" link on the main page to go to TLC's special donation page.

(Hint: this is also a great way to avoid getting stuff for the holidays that you don't need - just tell all your friends and relatives to get YOU the Gift of Food Security!)

Past Events Update

Protect Madrona Farm Week

Businesses all over Victoria pitch in to help raise awareness and funds for the Madrona Farm/TLC campaign. Some businesses have donated money already, others are helping by letting their customers know about the farm and the fundraising, and many are placing donation tins by their cash registers for many small donations. We've received an incredibly warm response from many local businesses, excited to help out on this project that benefits the whole community. Keep your eyes open for Madrona posters all over town!

The Phillips Brewery Madrona Blackberry Hefeweisen was a huge success and sold out within a few weeks. If you missed it, there is a good chance there will be another one next year!

The Chefs' Survival Challenge was blessed by good weather and high spirits from all involved, despite the odd dunk in the pond for a couple chefs. Good food and good times were had by all, and we made a couple thousand dollars on the event when all was said and done, so in addition to being tons of fun and raising the profile of the Madrona campaign, it was a financial success too!

Pictures of the Chefs' Survival Challenge can be viewed here!



Status To Date

As of March 12, we have raised approximately $352,000 (this does not include amounts donated by the owners).