If you have ventured to the Golden Farmer’s Market this summer season, you may have come across the Ebe’s Garden booth, offering fresh produce, herbs and more. What you may not know is that they’ve been selling their locally grown goods from their farm just outside of town for almost 20 years!
A few weeks ago, I made a day trip down to Beeland Market in Spillimacheen to stock up on some of our favourites. On my way out, I couldn’t help but stop to observe this produce stand stocked with fresh veggies and fruit. I wanted to learn more about this great initiative, so I reached out to Ingrid and Ebe to learn more.
Can you tell us a bit about your farm and the types of produce you grow?
After both being born and raised here in Golden/Parson on small homesteads with gardens and having met after high school graduation in 2005 we were encouraged to try-out the new Golden Farmers’ Market in 2007. After being further inspired by Patty’s Greenhouse we kept slowly expanding our gardens and knowledge. Now we grow over 150 different varieties of produce, including berries, and a small orchard on less than an acre of land. Additional land is used for local cattle to graze.
We’re committed to growing as simply and organically as possible, returning all we take from the land back into the gardens. We hold the belief that soil health is crucial for growing robust, healthy plants, & we will never stop learning.
What’s it like growing such an extensive garden?
Beginning as a duo, we grew into a family, and five years ago, we were fortunate to welcome some amazing garden helpers; now, they keep it from overwhelming us and are indispensable.
Adaptability is key in our ever-changing seasons; diversifying crops is the new game where each year is a surprise package of better or worse yields. Farming comes with its own set of adventures, now featuring the intense summer trilogy: Heat, Smoke, and Mosquitoes. Trying to keep it enjoyable and sustainable for our family is a real juggle.
We have taken baby steps in expansion, it seems every couple of years, we would expand our boundaries a bit more. Now with 4 separate garden spaces, we are practicing the art of crop rotation and seed saving.
What inspired you to start these fresh produce stands?
Two years ago, it was Morley, the visionary and owner of Beeland Market and Coffee Bar in Spillimacheen, who gave us the idea and opportunity. He truly understands what both locals and tourists are looking for to enhance their experience in the area. He arranged everything for us there.
The Twig & Berry (Parson General Store) has also always been a popular hot spot for both locals and tourists. When the community mailboxes were removed last year, space became available on the front deck, allowing us to set up a small produce stand following the same format at Beelands. We are very grateful to both businesses for the space.
How has the honour system been working out?
Fantastic, customers can either pay directly to the cashbox, or e-transfer us.
How much longer will the produce stands be available?
We hope to continue until the growing season is over, so all the way up into October.
What does growing food mean to you?
Providing fresh, organically grown, and delicious food to our families and friends is incredibly important to us, and offering this through the Golden Farmers’ Market felt like a natural step. We love demonstrating the smorgasbord of crops that can be grown here in the Columbia Valley, even in small spaces. Food sovereignty and security is a major issue now in these changing times, so having the land and the knowledge to nurture it is a privilege we don’t take lightly.
If you’re wanting to check out the fresh produce stands for yourself, there is one located at the Twig & Berry in Parson and one at Beeland in Spillimacheen. They try to stock the stands one a week, so be sure to check back regularly to see what’s available. You will also find them at their booth at the Golden Farmer’s Market every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. until the end of September.
If you’re interested in more stories like this, check out our local business stories here.
