Our three acre homestead is located in central Vancouver Island, within the Arrowsmith Biosphere Region,
a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Situated in the shadow of the mountains on a sunny slope between Mount Arrowsmith and the Salish Sea, it is an area of tremendous biodiversity with one of the most ideal growing climates in Canada.
We purchased in 2014 with the intention of transforming a horse property into a healthy and productive growing system, using principles of permaculture to create as much self-sufficiency as possible.
An extensive potager, herb garden and mushroomery provide much of our daily food and the hen den provides us with eggs and entertainment. The orchard, crop garden and lavender labyrinth are developing sources of market income… and the bees keep it all pollinated.
The Farmstand Studio was created in 2015 when we adapted the unfinished side of the barn into a comfortable and inspiring work space, with views of the field to the east and the hen run on the north side. It is my home base for painting, writing, music and imagining. At this time the studio is not open to the public, but may be accessible during garden tours or special events.
Why Skywater Farm?
What’s in a name? As our summers get longer and drier, the snowpack on the mountains gets smaller, and local development creates more demand on the watershed, water is a precious commodity. In late 2015 we decided to be proactive and converted our complete water usage to a rainwater catchment system. We eat from the sun and drink from the rain. We gather it from the metal roofs of the barn and stable, filter and purify it…and enjoy fresh, clean water all year long.
We’re fortunate to live in such a place, where nature provides us with nearly everything we need ~ and more inspiration than we can imagine.
