At the end of a road in Black Creek, in the heart of our region’s agricultural belt, my daughter Cadence and I found Lost Savanna Farm. During our visit, Cadence joyfully held a bunny, a chick, and came close to hand-feeding a friendly cow. We also watched a couple of geese waddle around honking, in their particularly loud fashion, to ward off potential threats to the mobile chicken coop. The coop–currently a truck fashioned with a large box and a ramp–is an ideal solution after so much rain.
Kris and I walked around the farm chatting; he and his wife Britt are the farm’s owner/operators. “I got into farming because I love food,” says Kris. “I can’t buy unpasteurized whole milk, which is what I prefer.” He also prefers duck eggs to chicken, so they have a duck pen housing happy ducks that are welcome to hang out at the nearby pond. The diverse 72 acre farm includes pastures, a forest, and even an old railway line. As well as the aforementioned animals, it’s home to dairy cows, sheep, and rabbits. And of course, a dog and a kitten.
Fortunately, there are young farmers like Kris and Britt, who have a passion for sustainably producing nutritious food at a time when we’re realizing that small-scale agriculture is so much better for our environment and our plates.
“Small-scale farming is beneficial in so many ways. It adds value to the local economy and community. It allows for a farmer–consumer relationship that puts people back in touch with their food. We love being able to interact with our customers and believe in total transparency, so our farm is always open. We love getting the tough questions about how our meat is raised. It shows that the consumer is becoming more educated and aware of the issues that plague modern agriculture,” says Kris.
In addition to producing delicious food, Lost Savanna Farm also makes natural body products such as deodorants, muscle balm, mouthwash, and body butter. Look for their products and produce at the Comox Valley Farmers Market. Visit their website, facebook page, or take a drive to their farm and say hi to Kris and Britt Arbanas.
