The pilot project started on June 8, 2003 with a work party made up of Board members, community members, volunteers, and farmers. Old fences were removed, including a number of treated posts, which are not allowed on certified organic land. Using donated fencing material and the donated labour and equipment of Greg Miller, a local fencer, a new fence was erected to keep deer from entering the farm plot. Volunteers removed Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberry in preparation for tilling. One surprise was the discovery of some grape vines hidden under the blackberries! The plot was tilled by a tractor on June 9th, 2003 for the first time in 30 years.
In the same year, two growers, Samuel Godfrey and Johnny Thiessen conducted the pilot project with the Society. Samuel and Johnny tilled the land and planted 800 feet of beets, 400 feet of chard, 500 feet of beans, 400 squash transplants, and 300 feet of carrots. We are grateful for the in-kind donations that we received to help get this project going, including the use of a rototiller, and seeds from local organic farmers. There was a bountiful harvest and the pilot project was a success!
In 2005 Samuel Godfrey and Karen Hawbolt farmed the plot producing a bountiful harvest that was sold at the farm stand and to other customers throughout Greater Victoria.