Cattle and other livestock are necessary for a healthy ecosystem. When managed well, cattle and other livestock have the ability to play a key role in the sustainability of a farm, through capturing carbon in soil and increasing biodiversity. These recordings are from our recent virtual field day, following Edgar Smith at Beaver Meadow Farms. Edgar takes us on a tour of his farm and discusses how he keeps the farm climate-friendly.

About Beaver Meadow Farms

Beaver Meadow Farms is a certified organic farm where they have carried on the style of farming originated by their grandparents and parents since the 1930s. They believe in natural agricultural production systems in sync with nature. The fertility of the soil is balanced with the use of compost, manure, and manure tea, and this healthy soil feeds the plants and cattle and wildlife in our diverse meadow forest mixture which allows balance and diversity throughout the whole Beaver Meadow Farms. By the cycling of the grazing animals over the meadows to prevent overgrazing, root structure and biomass in the soil has been increased significantly; sequestering carbon and maintaining soil moisture for extended periods of less rainfall. At Beaver Meadows, they work to protect surrounding biodiversity, maintaining and protecting habitat for wildlife.

About Edgar Smith

Edgar is a third-generation farmer on Vancouver Island. He has been involved in operating Beaver Meadow Farms since the 1950s. He holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture from UBC and is a retired, professional Agrologist with years of experience working in Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Hawaii. Edgar and his brothers, Doug and Phillip, have operated Natural Pastures Cheese Company and Beaver Meadow Farms for several decades. He lives in Comox with his wife Mary Ann, while their five children are now all grown up and engaged with their lives away from the farm.

Video 1: Farm Tour

Video 2: Hatchery

Video 3: Question & Answer Session