The name Duck Creek Farm will resonate with many Salt Spring Island locals. The late John Wilcox founded the farm in 1990 which has been lovingly stewarded by his partner, Sue Earle, and her two children, Eland and Ella. As a community staple for more than two decades, the Duck Creek team continues to find ways to contribute to the Island’s food landscape.
Their 13-acre farm is home to a market garden, which includes two greenhouses and a 175-foot hoop house, 80 fruit trees, and five acres of forested land. This diversity is reflected in their CSA boxes. Subscribers are treated to a mix of over 30 varieties of fruits and vegetables over the course of a program. The wider community can find their goods at the local Tuesday farmer’s market, restaurants, and caterers.
There is a lot of receptivity for the food and people are seeking us out,” says Ella Bronstein.
As a regenerative farm, Bronstein and her family use dense planting, natural weed-suppressants, and cover crops to grow food with as little petroleum as possible. They also create habitable spaces for pollinators and wildlife.
“We use organic and permaculture practices and operate a non-chemical farm, favouring no-till methods whenever possible,” adds Bronstein.