My Urban Suburban

Recently, I was invited to join Langley’s Cirlce Farm Tour, hosted by Tourism Langley and spent a day visiting our local farms.  Wow!  I knew we had fab product out here, but we don’t just have product – we have outstanding, world-class product!  And it’s all within 10-15 minutes of home (less than an hour for you city-slickers.)  So no excuses. Check them out.

Our first stop was at Aldor Acres Dairy Farm, where we learned about a normal day on a Canadian dairy farm.  We got to feed the cows, milk a cow and even met the lovely Claire!  Isn’t she cute? (she’s the cow, by the way.) 

We then made a quick stop at Driediger Farms, where we were met by Rhonda Driediger, who told us the farm now boasts 169 acres and serves up to 60,000 people per year…and that’s only at their location in the Valley!  They also run a direct-to-consumer operation, serving parts of N. America, Japan, Taiwan, England and Germany.  Yep, this “little” farm calls our Fraser Valley home!

Our next stop was Krause Berry Farms. I wrote about Krause Berry Farms last summer after I bought one of their famous pies!  Love this place. With 167 acres, the farm has come a long way since it was started back in the early ’70’s.  They used to sell product out of their van!  But not anymore.  They now have a stunning property, complete with a shop with filled yummy food products and a bistro serving delicious goodies. Look what they fed us!  (and yes, I ate the whole thing…are you kiding?)

Up next was a quick stop by Erikson’s Daylily Gardens, where we learned about their Crotchless Panties variety.  Got your attention didn’t I?  I’m not kidding though.  Look it up.

Next stop was lunch at JD Farms Specialty Turkey Store, where we were also met by several other local producers, including Vista D’Oro, The Fort Wine Company, Tuscan Farm Gardens, Full Bloom Farm and folks from the Langley Community Farmers Market (which starts July 8th.)  We tried some wine and products, then tucked into a delicious lunch of turkey sandwiches and turket soup.  Yum.  JD Farms prides themselves on their stringent certification standards.  If you want local, grain fed, antibiotic-free, exceptional turkey, this is the place to get it. 

We then did a quick drive-through at Full Bloom Farm, where we learned about their lavender fields, wellness centre and aromatherapy products.  I will defintely be checking them out again soon!

By this time the afternoon sun was beating down, so our next stop at Domain de Chaberton Winery was ideal!  We learned about their production and history, then tasted some of their white wines.  Perfect for summer patio sipping!

Select Roses was up next…wow do these guys know how to grow their roses!  Owner Brad Jalbert told us a little about their beautiful nursery, explaining they produce more roses in Canada than any other nursery.  Whoda thought, right here in Langley we’d have such a place?  It was stunning.

Our next stop was at Tuscan Farm Gardens (who I’ve written about before.)  Here, owner Heather Fair inspired us to find a little Dolce Vita in our lives and shared with us the story behind she and husband Arliegh’s fabulous business.  Love them.  Love their products.

Last, but not least, was a stop at Cedar Rim Nursery, who impressed us with their selection of over 5,000 plants!  They’re the leading retail nursery on the West Coast and have a truly beautiful site.

I learned more than a thing or two during the day and had so much fun!  Thanks to everyone who helped to make this such a fabulous day! 

Circle Farm Tours are also available in the areas of: Abbotsford, Agassiz-Harrison Mills, Chilliwack, Maple Ridge Pitt-Meadows and Mission, so wherever you are in the Valley, check out one of these incredible self-guided tours.  I’m quite sure you won’t be disapointed!  Visit their website for more information: http://www.circlefarmtour.com/