Madrona Farm

NEWS RELEASE
May 14, 2010

The Land Conservancy of BC Saves Madrona Farm!

VICTORIA, B.C. – Twenty four months and almost 3,000 donors later, The Land Conservancy is proud to announce Madrona Farm is saved and will remain in agricultural production forever.

Thanks to overwhelming public support and one last minute donation from an anonymous donor, as well as major contributions from the Farmlands Trust Society, Victoria Foundation and local Victoria residents Ed Johnson, Mel McDonald, and 101-year-old couple Helen and Glenn Saywer, TLC is pleased to add Madrona to its list of “special places” in B.C.

“This campaign was a rewarding one for TLC. To see the community rally behind protecting a local food source was truly amazing. The generosity has been inspiring. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved, especially Nathalie and David Chambers,” says Bill Turner, TLC’s Executive Director.

Located 10 minutes from downtown Victoria, Madrona Farm provides food to over 3,500 homes in the Greater Victoria area. The 27-acre farm produces a diversity of 105 crops, 12 months a year. Now as an innovative model for sustainable agriculture, David and Nathalie Chambers, the current farmers on the property, will be provided with the first long-term lease to continue farming while providing education and training for apprentices.

Without a doubt the community support for this campaign has gone above and beyond what anyone imagined. Not only did donations come from all over Canada and the USA, but England and Singapore, too. Islanders donated their $100 climate action dividend cheques and students from post secondary institutions, high schools and elementary schools fund raised to see this agricultural gem saved. One senior gathered donations from her neighbours in a senior’s centre and one hockey enthusiast decided to split half his hockey pool winnings with Madrona. Many local businesses, hotels, and restaurants donated their time and money to see the campaign succeed. Major events such as the annual Chef Survival Challenge, TLC’s EcoNight with the Salmon Kings, and Earth Month activities with MayFair Mall all raised funds toward the acquisition.

“This project has changed our lives. David and I are true believers that a community is one of the most powerful forces in nature, and if we all stand together there is no problem too big for us to solve!” says Nathalie Chambers. “Our community now has a working model for sustainable agriculture and food security is on the horizon. Thank you everyone who had a hand in helping this campaign, and especially The Land Conservancy for stepping up to the plate.”

“Congratulations to David, Natalie, TLC, and everyone in the community that answered the call to save Madrona Farm,” says Ed Johnson, Chair of the Farmlands Trust Society. “The celebration today confirms that protecting the future of our farmland is possible when you hold a dream in your heart! Best wishes from the Farmlands Trust Society.”

Next TLC will be calling in all the pledges and filling out the necessary paperwork to close the purchase of Madrona Farm on Tuesday, June 15.