Shannon and Mike Farrell, the married team behind Comox Valley’s Shamrock Farm, started what would later become their local farm from one pumpkin.
Shannon shows off her forced radicchio, which is grown using a traditional technique that involves moving the plant indoors and away from light to reduce chlorophyll production and change its flavour Photo by Madeline Dunnett/The Discourse“We started with a small garden and a friend of ours laughed at a pumpkin we grew. So I kinda went… Well, I’ll show you!” Mike said. “To show that friend,” Shannon added.
They are always experimenting, but some crops include pumpkins, garlic, lavender, squash, carrots, radicchio, tomatoes, greens, and one of Shannon’s favourites — kalettes, a cross between brussels sprouts and kale. The farm scales up a bit every year and they focus on trial and error to grow and diversify their crops.
When COVID-19 hit, the team started thinking a lot about food scarcity and the supply chain issues that were hitting the Island at the time. The farm did well. Shannon said she noticed a shift in how many people began to value local food. Shannon chuckled and added that sometimes this diversity doesn’t succeed because the farm is always experimenting. But that ends up helping them grow in the long-term.
The lack of light reduces chlorophyll production, which also softens the bitterness that is often associated with radicchio. “We don’t like to waste anything, because obviously that’s money thrown away. So if something doesn’t sell, we pickle it right away, preserve it right away, or put it in the freezer for now in the winter.”The goats, they said, are part of the diversity gamble. The goat’s milk is used for the soap made on the farm, but the goats are a bit of a luxury, and the soap barely covers their cost.
Shannon said it was amazing to see how the pigs were helpful in clearing the land and is looking forward to seeing how things grow there now. Comox Valley Farmer’s Market,
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Kelowna, B.C. farm sees record harvest with close to 44,000 kg of produceHelen's Acres is a working farm, run by a small group of paid employees who lead an coordinate community volunteers from spring to fall.
Read more »
U.S. Spotlight: Washington wind farm; $1.1B tunnel project; Protecting Rays stadiumCanada's construction news
Read more »
No farm system: How PWHL players without a roster spot continue their developmentSceptres forward Julia Gosling (88) watches Boston Fleet goalie Aerin Frankel, right, react as the puck goes over her on during second period on Saturday in Toronto. There was no goal on the play.
Read more »
Avian flu detected at non-commercial poultry farm on Vancouver IslandOfficials are not releasing the location of the farm, but B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham said the outbreak involved fewer than 100 chickens.
Read more »
Avian flu found at poultry farm on Saanich PeninsulaB.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham said the virus was found in a flock of about 60 chickens on the Saanich Peninsula
Read more »
Avian flu found at poultry farm on Saanich PeninsulaB.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham said the virus was found in a flock of about 60 chickens on the Saanich Peninsula
Read more »