Alderlea Farm

Step into our world, and you'll discover that our approach to farming goes beyond the traditional. We believe that every aspect of our farm is interconnected and alive, and we strive to cultivate a harmonious relationship with the land. That's why we employ biodynamic practices, which involve working with the natural rhythms of the earth and the cosmos to nourish the soil, plants, and animals that call our farm home.

CSA Program

The Alderlea Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Veggie Box Program is taking a break for 2024!

This year, the Farmers will be busy growing vegetables for the amazing Alderlea Farm Cafe. Come and taste the difference in every bite. Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Farmer's Hotline

Biodynamic Farming.

With our commitment to biodynamic farming, we're proud to create a sustainable and regenerative ecosystem that produces healthy, vibrant crops and fosters a thriving community. Unlike conventional agriculture, we never rely on artificial pesticides or fertilizers that can harm the environment and compromise the quality of your food. Instead, we focus on cultivating a complete and balanced ecosystem that harmonizes with the natural properties of the landscape.

By encouraging a diverse mix of meadow, stream, and forest, we create a happy, healthy, and beautiful environment that is less susceptible to pests and disease. Our community-supported agriculture (CSA) program is designed to promote social and ecological sustainability, allowing you to take an active part in supporting the well-being of your family, the community, and the world. At Alderlea Farm, we're dedicated to regenerative and biodynamic sustainable practices that ensure an authentic and wholesome food experience.

Alderlea Farm might be ecologically independent, but it couldn’t produce the way it does if it wasn’t also deeply connected to the rhythms of the natural universe. The same patterns and dynamic tensions echo from the activities of the minutest cell to the wide swing of the planets. At Alderlea Farm, we harmonize the growing processes with processes in the wider environment. And judging by the quality of the produce the earth rewards us with here, she’s ecstatic about our attention to these affairs.

Unfortunately, much of the produce available at the supermarket is wrung out of exhausted, abused soil. But happily, biodynamic farming methods are like medicine that heals the soil. At Alderlea Farm we prepare eight biodynamic preparations. Sprayed on the fields or applied to the compost pile, they steer processes that nourish and revitalize the earth. In a way, it’s like the soil remembers how to be soil. There’s a kind of intelligence at work! The result is that plants have great material to build themselves with—and they pass that vital dynamism onto you.

Testimonials.

John and Katy’s passion for biodynamic farming shapes Alderlea Farm’s approach to agriculture, business, and the community. Biodynamic agriculture focuses on putting back what you take out, healing the land and creating a balanced and self-sufficient system.

Excerpt from Agrisuccess, FCC
My family and I are absolutely thrilled with Alderlea Farm’s veggie box program. I have been part of many other organic veggie box programs over the years, and none have come close to what you get from John and Katy in terms of quality and value. To say their produce is fresh is an understatement; veggies are often being picked while I am picking up! Also the variety is amazing; I have enjoyed trying many new veggies and thanks to Katy’s awesome recipes more ways to cook them. It is clear that John and Katy love what they do. There is so much joy on the farm, and it is such a pleasant experience being there. I cannot wait for many more seasons with Alderlea Farm.

Meaghan Taylor-Macdonald
We really enjoyed picking up fresh organic vegetables each week. It was a treat to see the different offerings….kale, lettuce, green onions, carrots, squash so many good things. We look forward to coming back next spring. Also one of our favourites things is to have lunch or dinner on your lovely patio and enjoy a wood fired pizza and salad, and also the lovely pastoral view,

Jean and Richard
I so enjoy my CSA veggies ;from the drive out to the bucolic farm to the moment we feast on the biodynamic veggies. I tell my friends they are super organic. So much more flavour and I am happy to be continuing my relationship with the enterprising and amiable Farmer John and Miss Katy.
My week’s highlight is veggie pick-up day from Alderlea. This lettuce literally healed my headache on more than one occasion, reflecting the work of biodynamic soils and organisms, as well as,the goodness of the growers. Such generous, kind farmers and it shows in the veggies and the soil!

GaChing Kong
The calloused, worn hands of a farmer tell much about the season, each knuckle’s cracks and nicks, are homage to roughly wrestling a living from the land. Yet it is not the hands, but the eye that will not belie the future. At Alderlea Farm, the Ehrlichs’ eyes show promising tales indeed. It’s in the way John’s sight tends to drift as he speaks, a far-off , seer clear stare focused on a distant moment, a stare that’s picturing potential. Mixed with Katy’s direct unwavering gaze, flowing out from a deep well of genuine inner faith, the two paint a picture of a sustainable future with family, both organic and real. “It’s my ideal life”, said Katy.

“Digging Dirt: Life in the Cowichan” by Aaron Richard
You just might get a chance to try & taste veggies that you might never usually buy at your local grocers, case in point: my husband now likes & asks for squash & broccoli! 😉 Score! Their veggies will spoil your palette! Once you taste the organically grown & fresh garden taste of Alderlea vegetables, it is hard to go back to our winter diets of imported produce. My grandchildren were overjoyed to find a flower in their salad! Bonus restaurant and canned pickles! John & Katy are the kindest & friendliest people that you will ever meet!

Debbie and Marcel
We joined the Alderlea Farm Veggie Program in 2021 after hearing great reviews from friends & family, and we were not disappointed. John & Katy’s “Farm (theirs) to Table (ours) Program” is brilliant! In 2021, we enjoyed fresh, organic, varied & delicious produce every week from April to December.