Current BIFS initiatives include a Pesticide Working Group, Grafton Agricultural Commons, the Low Hanging Fruit project, Bowen Farmer's Market, and educational programs coordinated with schools and other community institutions. We use soil biology based regenerative agriculture methods, building on Indigenous knowledge and stewardship. We value living systems both in nature and in society -- from restoring biodiversity in the soil to building community while working together.
Located on Grafton Road across from Grafton Lake, Grafton Agricultural Commons is a 4-acre parcel with a farm history that goes back at least 100 years. In 2017, when the developers of the Grafton Lake Lands project applied to rezone the area for housing, they committed these 4 acres within the Agricultural Land Reserve for community gardens. In its present form the Grafton Gardens include raised box beds and a 3/4 acre demonstration garden ringed by fruit and nut trees.
BIFS assumed management of The Commons in the spring of 2020 and was funded by a Community Resiliency Grant to increase food security and combat isolation caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. At the end of the season, BIFS used the squash, potatoes and other produce grown by volunteers to make soup for the Food Bank. BIFS also sold produce at the Tailgate Market and held a drive-through “soup sale” to raise funds for the community.
The Grafton Gardens is a welcoming community hub for learning about regenerative agriculture and food system resiliency. Click on the image to the right to see our 2024 video of BIFS activities that features the many activities of our volunteers and board members.
To learn more about what is happening at The Commons, or to volunteer, click on the button below.
The purpose of Low Hanging Fruit is to add resilience to our island’s food system and decrease food waste. Many property owners on Bowen have fruit and nut trees that do not get harvested due to either lack of time, equipment or sometimes overabundance. LHF brings volunteers together to pick the fruit from these trees so that it can be enjoyed and used on the island. The project originated with Meribeth Deen in 2021 and after her departure mananged by Hasan Hutchinson from 2022-2024. It was supported with generous funding from Bowen Island Community Foundation, Vancouver Foundation, Regenerative Bowen Island (RBI), and BIFS, as well as the Neighbourhood Small Grants Program for a well-needed roof rack to carry the orchard ladder.
Fruit harvested in | 2023: >1500 lbs | 2022: 400 lbs | 2021: 150 lbs |
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One of BIFS’ mandates is to promote the use of regenerative agriculture. It should come as no surprise that the use of pesticides and herbicides is detrimental to the microbial life in the soil, which is the very basis of a healthy soil food web. When that web is disturbed at its most fundamental level, the health of everything and everyone further up the food chain is affected. That includes us.
In the summer of 2020, BIFS launched a pesticide survey to better understand the position and concerns of community members on this issue. In January 2021, the Pesticide Working Group published a report summarizing its research and presented its recommendations to Bowen Island Municipal Council. Click button below to see our poster.
