About this Event
Join us for a farm tour and potluck at McCormack Farm in beautiful Burton, BC!
With 175 acres in production, McCormack Farm is one of the largest farms in the region to be integrating silvopasture practices - the combination of tree crop production with rotationally-grazed livestock. This 120-year-old farm is in the process of planting out their existing open pastures with tree species that provide fodder for animals, food for people, timber, and other long-term resources. These trees offer numerous other benefits, such as shelter for their livestock, improved pasture quality, enhanced biodiversity, and increased resilience of their farm to the extremes in weather. This is a unique opportunity to tour a diversified regenerative farm that is actively adapting their farming practices for a changing climate.
Forest McCormack will be our guide for the day. He is a fourth generation farmer who is passionate about agroforestry and has a wealth of knowledge to share in this field. Forest has an extensive nursery of trees he is growing out for the farm - tree enthusiasts will enjoy learning about the unique genetics he has been collecting. As part of this event, we will have the chance to help plant out some of these trees in their pasture, so bring along a shovel! This tour will have lots of time for discussion about tree crops, regenerative growing practices, and developing climate resilient farm systems.
DATE: Saturday, April 27, 2024 • 10 am - 2 pm PST
LOCATION: Ktunaxa, Syilx, Secwepemc, and Sinixt Territories, Burton, BC. Thirty kilometres south of Nakusp.
The farm is located on McCormack Road - please see map below, or search for "McCormack Farm" on google maps.
DIRECTIONS: If coming from Burton, once you're on McCormack Road, go over the creek. Follow the road as it curves right and then left, and as it straightens out, the farm's driveway is located straight ahead. If you hit Watts Road, you've gone too far.
REGISTER: Please register for this event on Eventbrite.
CARPOOL INFO: Carpooling is encouraged. If you are looking for or can offer a ride to or from the event, please make a post in the Facebook event, or reach out to [email protected].
SCHEDULE :
10 am – 12 pm – Farm tour and tree planting
12 – 1 pm – Potluck Lunch
1 – 2 pm – Farm Tour continued, Q&A, discussion
BRING: Potluck item to share, cutlery/plates, water bottle, lawn chair or picnic blanket, shovel, clothes for all weather.
If you raise poultry, or have recently visited a farm that does, please sterilize your footwear before coming or choose shoes that you do not wear on your farm.
For those of you travelling long distances, the McCormack family has generously offered space on their farm to camp for the night. If you would like more information on camping, please contact Forest at [email protected]
SHARE: Planning on joining us? Invite your friends and share this post!
ACCESSIBILITY: If you have any accessibility needs, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
ABOUT MCCORMACK FARM
The McCormack Family has been farming and logging on their property in Burton since 1903. Along the way, the family has dabbled in orchards, cattle, poultry, and finished timber products. Their next journey is to amalgamate these activities to create an ecological and economic symbiosis that will adapt to the changing climate. Agroforestry and silvopasture are the future here on McCormack Farm – chosen to blend two primary resources and enhance both, providing a regenerative source for food, timber, and fire mitigation for generations to come.
Facebook: facebook.com/mccormackfarm
Instagram: instagram.com/mccormack_farm
STAY IN TOUCH
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- Questions? Email Kim at [email protected]
We have something happening every month through the growing season! Sign up for our newsletter to receive registration information for these upcoming events:
May 30, 2024: Kaslo, BC – Farm Tour at Mr. Mercy’s Mushrooms
Participants will get to tour this established organic mushroom farm and learn about both indoor and outdoor seasonal mushroom production. After the tour we will gather for a potluck dinner in the garden.
June 23, 2024: Salmo, BC – Tour de Farm Stand at Salix & Sedge Farm, Clutch Farm, and Forrest Farm
This family-friendly community event will be a celebration of Salmo’s vibrant farm stand culture and the joy of active transportation. Participants can cycle (or jog, rollerblade, scooter!) their way between three farms to meet these local food producers and shop at their self-serve farm stands. Starting at Salix and Sedge Farm, we’ll tour their large market garden, basketry willow plantation, and full-season heated greenhouse. Next we’ll pedal over to Clutch Farm for a tour of their market garden. We’ll end the event at Forrest Farm Sheep & Goat Cheese Creamery to learn about their small-scale dairy operation and pick up some local cheese, meat, soaps, and produce. Other local producers will be invited to add pop-ups along the route.
July 27, 2024: Creston, BC – Regenerative Grains & Renewable Energy Tour at Full Circle Farm
Come for a morning hayride tour of this 40 acre organic grain and root crop farm, pulled by Maaax, a farmer-built solar-powered tractor! Joanne and Drew Gailius are regenerative farmers who strive to reduce their use of fossil fuels. They do this by integrating solar panels into their fields, eliminating plastics from their production systems, and converting their farm implements to renewable energy. Come learn about all their innovative farm systems and join us after for a potluck lunch.
August 25, 2024: Krestova, BC – Seed Saving Farm Tour at Winnow Seeds
Winnow Seeds produces certified organic, open-pollinated and regionally adapted seed for Kootenay growing conditions. Participants on this tour will discover what a seed farm looks like in late summer when crops have bolted and set seed. We’ll have the opportunity to help collect seeds and learn about why seed saving is an essential part of farming and local food security.
The Columbia Basin event series is made possible with funding from Columbia Basin Trust.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
McCormack Farm, McCormack Road, Burton, Canada
CAD 0.00