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NICA Communities Directory for the Pacific Northwest
For listings in all geographical areas, including the Northwest, see directory.ic.org
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Formed: 1991 Established: 1996
BlueJay Lake Farm
Whaletown, British Columbia,
Canada
Overview of Farm from Goat Mountain
 We are Henry and Margaret Verschuur, of BlueJay Lake Farm. We have two additional homes on our property, and there is an opening for someone to live in one of these. It is a working farm, and we would like each community member to participate in some way on the farm. You would need to enjoy a farm lifestyle, be eager to take part in the various projects, want to live in community, and be willing to live without some conveniences. Enthusiasm is far more important than experience. Children would be great!
This organic farm consists of 300 acres nestled in Green Valley on Cortes Island, British Columbia. About 30 acres of this is fields, scattered in various parts of the farm. We have two milk cows and various beef cattle, a flock of laying hens, a border collie and a couple of cats. There is a two-acre apple orchard and various other fruit trees. There is a garden area, small and large greenhouses, a barn, and various other buildings. The rest of the property is forest, bluffs, and swamps. There are three lakes on the property. BlueJay Lake is near the houses and is ideal for swimming and fishing. It is an amazing property—beautiful, rich in wildlife, diverse, isolated by mountains, peaceful, and clean.
We are on Cortes Island, which is between Campbell River on Vancouver Island and Powell River on the BC mainland.
Our driveway is two and a half kilometers long and needs to be maintained by those living on the farm. We use it as little as possible. If you need to leave the farm regularly, you would need to either spend more time and money maintaining the driveway or use a bicycle to get to and from your vehicle. Children attending school would need to walk or cycle the driveway every day to get to the bus stop.
We have an alternative energy source that provides limited electricity.
There are currently two families on the farm. We have three children, ages 9 to 14. It is a great place for kids to grow up, and a big part of being in this community is the children.
Perhaps you dream of working with and enjoying the land but cannot afford your own place. Perhaps you think you might enjoy this lifestyle but aren't ready to make a commitment to it. Or you'd like to learn more about homesteading. Or perhaps you are a family who would like to take a year off from your regular lives and do something totally different.
 
Website: http://www.bluejaylakefarm.com
Contact:
Margaret Verschuur
PO Box 90
Whaletown, British Columbia V0P 1Z0 Canada
Phone: 250-935-6940
Send an Email
Last Updated:5/22/2009
 
Visitor Process: Email us with a specific request, particularly the reason you would like to visit.
Population
Adult Members:
6
Child Members:
6
Non-member Residents:
0
Open to new adults:
Yes
Open to new children:
Yes
Gender Balance:
50% M 50% F
Open to which gender(s):
All genders welcome
Ethnic Diversity:
10% identify as 'non-white'
Age Focus:
No Focus
Age Restrictions:
No
Government
Decision Making:
By the community leader
(What's good for the land/people)
Identified Leader:
Yes
Leadership Core Group:
Yes
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
(and partial income sharing)
Labor Contribution:
Expected
(Min one day per week)
Join Fee:
No
Regular Fees:
No
Land and Buildings
Rural
Area:
300 acres (121.4 hectares)
Land Owned By:
Individual community member(s)
Number of Residences:
3
Cohousing:
No
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
over 50%
Share Community Meals:
1 time/week
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Diet is up to each individual
Dietary Practice:
Omnivorous
Alcohol Use:
Seldom used
Tobacco Use:
Prohibited
Social Factors
Educational Style(s):
Public schooled
:: Private school off the property
(Home, private, public)
 
 
Overview of Farm from Goat Mountain
Click an image to see it full size.
Become an Editor Current editor(s): Verschuur
 
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