Tag Archives: Linnaea Farm

The Line-up for Lovefest 2023 on Cortes Island

Rex Weyler, one of the principle organizers, emailed Cortes Currents a list of the15 acts performing at this year’s Lovefest. A number of local favourites are in the line-up.

The festival will be opened by the Klahoose First Nation and Brenda Hanson is among the performers. 

Singer/songwriters Jemma Hicken, Jessie Roy and Sachika will be onstage. So will Scotty & Shelly, and the innovative professional multi-instrumentalist Michael Keith

Continue reading The Line-up for Lovefest 2023 on Cortes Island

This year’s blueberry harvest on Cortes Island

This started out as a story about the incredible blueberry harvest in the midst of this year’s drought. 

One of the seniors picking at Sunnybrae Farm gave Cortes Currents the tip, which Mike Manson subsequently confirmed.

“We are seeing what we think might be the biggest crop ever. In terms of pounds per bush, and the fruit is ripening differently. It’s ripening in a more condensed manner, which is good for picking. The big crop is probably due to favourable conditions for pollination in the spring. Whether or not that had anything to do with dry weather, I’m not sure. Maybe the bees were glad it wasn’t raining and cold and wet, but certainly pollination was key, without that you don’t get a crop. For whatever reason, conditions were favourable for bees to be flying and doing their job,” he said.

“We’ve never seen a dry year start so early.  This year, the dryness started mid May. I remember May 13th was 30 degrees Celsius.  I think  the early heat this year has affected  the way the fruit has ripened. I haven’t seen it ripen in this fashion before.” 

However, there are three blueberry farms on Cortes island and, as I was soon to learn, they are in different micro-climates. 

Continue reading This year’s blueberry harvest on Cortes Island

Farming for the climate future

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tamara McPhail’s morning chore never changes, but the infinite variety of sounds and seasons makes milking cows every day unique. 

On this spring morning, Zinnia and her new calf Equinox are restless and nagging — bellowing, bleating and raring to get outside into the fields. 

Other mornings, they greet McPhail with gentle grunts and low moos as she enters the barn as if relishing the connection they’ll have with her. 

“I’m really attached to the livestock system,” says McPhail, who along with her partner Adam Schick, has been part of a team stewarding the land at Linnaea Farm on Cortes Island, B.C., closing on 25 years. 

Continue reading Farming for the climate future

Things to do: Summer with FOCI

The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) have a full slate of events this summer. 

They started July with a tour of the off-grid agricultural oasis, Blue Jay Farm, followed by a low tide exploration of the natural and local history of Mansons Lagoon.

“They’ve gone really well, and we have these other six events coming up,” explained to Helen Hall, Executive Director of FOCI.

Continue reading Things to do: Summer with FOCI

SRD Plans to Recommence Wood Chipping Service “Next Year”

At the regular SRD board meeting on April 26th (minutes), a couple of issues of interest to Cortes residents were discussed.

There were new developments in the story of SRD’s proposal to centralise rural fire hall administration; this was covered by Roy Hales on Monday.

The Board also discussed the “Community Resiliency Investment Grant” and its uses, specifically the provision of wood chipping service for properties with road access, and the local use of those wood chips. 

Continue reading SRD Plans to Recommence Wood Chipping Service “Next Year”