Glen Valley Organic Farm Co-operative

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"...to feed and educate present and future generations by co-operatively holding, stewarding and sustainably farming our land..."

Incorporated in 1998, the Glen Valley Organic Farm Co-operative is the inspiring creation of dozens of individuals committed to saving organic farmland at a time when both local control of family farms and food security in British Columbia are diminishing. Currently, Glen Valley blends co-operative ownership and farming with community shared agriculture (CSA) and the production of organic food. Co-op members come from both urban and rural settings.  

The market for organically grown food is on the rise.  Organic foods, traditionally hidden away in the restricted domain of health food stores, have boldly ventured into community grocery stores and even large superstores.  This increase in the availability of organically grown foods demonstrates the increased awareness of the benefits of organics among the general public.  Organic agriculture is an ecological production system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, soil quality and biological cycles.  It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.[1]  Most people know that the synthesised pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers typically plastered all over our food are not healthy, but there are reasons beyond the avoidance of unhealthy substances for buying and growing organic.  Some people find that organics are more nutritious and flavourful than non-organics.  Others cite environmental conditions as reason to go organic, as the chemicals used on our food often have a harmful effect on the surrounding water, soil and air.  The group of people who joined together to form the Glen Valley Organic Farm Co-operative found all of these reasons for going organic persuasive.  The purpose of this aspiring co-op is to feed and educate present and future generations by co-operatively holding, stewarding, and sustainably farming their land.

Glen Valley Farm is a 50-acre valley farmland located near the south bank of the Fraser River in Mt. Lehman BC, an hour east of Vancouver.  This rural dream acreage boasts a combination of fertile floodplains, wetlands, orchards, and forests.

This co-op is a model of sustainable agriculture in all aspects of operation, from the way it was sold and purchased to the way the produce is grown.  In October 1997, the Glen Valley Organic Farm was put up for sale.  Its owners, Amy and Gregor Robertson, had purchased the farm in 1991.  During their ownership, they transformed the non-functioning dairy farm into an active, certified organic farm.  The Robertsons conscientiously turned down offers made by real estate developers and cranberry growers because they wanted the farm to retain its organic status.  However, no one who wanted to keep it organic offered to purchase the farm.  Eventually Susan Davidson, a friend of the Robertsons, decided that something had to be done to save the farm.  She contacted everyone she thought would be interested and after a few round-the-kitchen-table meetings, Glen Valley Organic Farm Association was formed.

Deciding to form an association to save the farm was only the beginning of the lengthy process of buying the farm and forming the co-op.  In addition to deciding how to save the farm, the association had to find farmers to work the land.  Soon enough John Switzer and Alison Chisholm were recruited and plans were underway for their first season at Glen Valley.  Meanwhile, the Association decided to incorporate as a co-op.  Although the Robertsons had lowered the price of the farm, the members did not have the $500 000 being asked.  A decision was reached to sell shares at $5000 each to raise capital for purchasing the farm.  After incorporation in October 1998, members endeavoured to attract shareholders, set up business plans and apply for grants.   

Getting money together to purchase a 50-acre farm was a daunting task.  The GVOFC, after considering several alternatives, applied for a grant and a business mortgage through VanCity Savings Credit Union.  The co-op was selected to receive a $20 000 Community Economic Development grant through VanCity’s Community Economic Partnership Program.  This grant covered marketing and business plans as well as marketing of shares.  VanCity provided further capital through its Community Investment Deposits (CID) Program, which approved a 3% interest reduction on a $150 000 business mortgage.  (CID investors accept a 1% lower rate of return on their money and the interest foregone is passed on to local community projects that create affordable housing and improve the local environment.  VanCity transfers the money by providing the projects with loans at lower than normal interest rates.)  Because of all this assistance, the association was able to purchase Glen Valley Farm on 22 December 1998.

Despite rising awareness of the benefits of organic farming among the general public, attracting shareholders was and remains difficult.  Laurie McNeil, a member of GVOFC, was dismayed that more people did not jump at the chance to save a farm—especially a certified organic farm—from being turned into a high-production monoculture or a housing development.  Although members have made many efforts to attract shareholders through personal networks, booths at public markets, brochures, and posters, most people want to know what their financial return will be.  In the GVOFC, returns are not made in monetary profit.  Any profit made is returned to the co-op to ensure the continued survival of the farm.  Of course, if members want to withdraw their shares, they will have their money returned.  While their are no monetary returns to investors, members receive returns through having access to local organic produce (for which they receive a 10% discount), through knowing that they have saved a farm and have a vote in its consensus decision-making process, and through the educational workshops and social activities put on by the co-op.

At a time when farmland in BC is increasingly at risk of being used for massive housing developments or one-crop farms saturated with synthetic chemicals, Glen Valley is an extremely valuable venture.  Although it may take some time for the co-op to get organised and start making money, in the meantime a beautiful farm has been saved and continues to grow delicious local produce for the people of the Fraser Valley.  If you would like to find out more about the GVOFC you can check out its website at http://gvofc.hub.org/ or call to arrange a tour of the farm.