About
Glen Valley Artichoke Farms
Glen
Valley Artichoke Farms is run by John and Donna Plough -- a pretty
appropriate name for farmers!
We
started the farm about 10 years ago and do most of the work to this
day, with help from our four grown-up children -- son Scott and
three daughters Tracy, Kim, and Ashley.
The
most recent additions to the family are two puppies born in September
-- Chutney and Jacksen. The pups are quite a handful, but, as well
as adding to the farm work, they do contribute great entertainment!
We
also own two Percheron horses -- Bess and her son Dante -- and two
cats, Midnight and Hook.
How
this little menagerie contributes to farm life can be read in our
blog, where we'll
also keep you up to date with the markets we're attending and our
latest produce, as well as giving you some great recipes.
History
of the Farm
We
haven't always been farmers. Donna worked as a nurse for many years,
and John's background is in construction and accountancy.
When
farming called, however, we started out not by growing artichokes,
but raising beef cattle! This is actually pretty funny considering
that John had become vegetarian at this point. Who has ever heard
of a vegetarian beef farmer? :)
The
cattle we raised were mostly Hereford and Holsteins bulls we acquired
when they were very young. We bottle-fed the little guys and named
them all. We also had a few cows -- Daisy, Moonshine, and Rosy are
some of the most memorable -- who each had a calf while they lived
on the farm.
As
cattle-raising was a year-round farming adventure (and we kept getting
a little bit too attached to them all!), we changed direction and
decided to try our hand at growing artichokes.
Now we've expanded to include different varieties of vegetables
such as squash, peppers, tomatillos, pumpkins, kale, beans and many
others.
Living
in the Fraser Valley -- a very rich growing community, both in soil
and people -- we strive to grow the best quality and freshest foods
that we can for our customers.
Feel
free to call or fax us at 604-857-0321. Or e-mail us here.
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Proud
Member of the
Conservation Partners Program
The
Conservation Partners Program (CPP) is a province-wide initiative
of The Land Conservancy. It brings a collaborative approach to uniting
ecological conservation with sustainable agriculture values and
practices.
The
program supports and promotes partners such as exemplary farmers,
ranchers and vineyard owners who use their land not only to produce
food, but also to protect natural habitat and biodiversity. CPP
partners are distinguished by the butterfly label, a tool to spark
public interest in this community and its contribution to the long-term
viability of food production and ecosystem health in BC.
Click
here
for more information on the CPP.
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