In News & Film
 work of art in the Farmers Feed Families exhibit at the Coombs Fall Fair. CFI Photo
Farmers’ Institute Reaching Out to Build Local Food Movement
Rains Broadcasting, Article By Janet Thony By all accounts, the Coombs Farmers’ Institute ‘Farmers Feed Families’ event, held at the Coombs Fall Fair Aug. 8-9, was a smashing success. The Arrowsmith Agricultural Association Fair board was grateful to have a large, colourful, well-decorated and interactive agricultural venue fill a third of their Recreational Building, helping to fulfill their vision of a true country fair. Five CFI member farmers hosted tables: Sharon and Sam Pickard of Grin Sheep and Pickard Farm; Trish and Kim Mauriks of Northwest Bay Ranch; Stephen and Fiona Thiessen of Shiloh Forest Farm; Colin, Diane and Ross Springford of Springford Farms; and Nicole Shaw and Dirk Becker of Transfarmation. Five partner associations also hosted tables: the Vancouver Island Goat Association; the Errington Farmers Market; the Qualicum Beach Farmers Market; the Qualicum Beach Community Education and Wellness Society and the ’Root Bag Project’; and the Salish Sea Culinary Guild. Event participants put in long hours, building and painting props, preparing and decorating the floor space, setting up and attractively arranging their own tables and, finally, helping with the clean-up and tear-down. Their enthusiastic engagement of the public brought the spirit of the event to life, that is, the important and vital discussion about food safety and sustainability. Farm owners had a perfect opportunity to showcase their products, which included beef, goats, sheep, poultry, ducks, seafood, vegetables, fruits and fibre arts. One-on-one conversations provided for building new market opportunities while helping the consuming public to understand the importance of knowing their food provenance. Read full article here... 
The entrance to the Farmers Feed Families exhibit at the Coombs Fall Fair. CFI Photo
Town council thanked for supporting local farmers Rains Broadcasting, Article By Brian Wilford Qualicum Beach Mayor Teunis Westbroek with Janet Thony, president of the Coombs Farmers’ Institute. Janet Thony, president of the Coombs Farmers’ Institute, thanked Qualicum Beach council Monday for supporting the CFI in its bid for a grant from the Northern Community Economic Development fund. The grant… Read more … 
Deputy Ministers Listen to Island Farmers Rains Broadcasting, Article By Janet Thony June 24, 2015 A delegation from the District A Farmers’ Institute met with Ministry of Agriculture representatives on Monday, June 22. From left: …Read More » Pictured: District 'A' Farmers' Institute June 22, 2015 Meeting with the Deputy Minister (Derek Sturko) and Assistant Deputy Minister (James Mack) Delegation Members Blaine Hardie, President, Janet Thony, Vice President, Cathy Burkosky, Secretary and Mayta Ryn. Coombs Farmers' Institute celebrates a century
Parksville/Qualicum Beach News, Aug 5, 2014 
The Coombs Farmers' Institute received a Century Farm Award from the province last week to mark the group's 100th anniversary. Brought together in February 1914, the Coombs Farmers' Institute started as a small group of producers dedicated to supporting and fostering local agriculture.
Read More: http://www.pqbnews.com/news/270018101.html Photo: Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell presented the Coombs Farmers Institute award, represented above by past president Colin Springford, with some new signage on Thursday in recognition of the institutes’s 100th anniversary. — Image Credit: JOHN HARDING PHOTO |
Vancouver Island Farmers Talk About Farming Methods
A short documentary by Liz Kawahara which showcases local farms - two of which are members of the Coombs Farmers' Institute: Nourish Farm (Lorne & Cindy McCallaum) and Transfarmation (Dirk Becker and Nicole Shaw): |
