About Notch Hill Community Growers
Located in Notch Hill near Sorrento British Columbia, Canada, we are a community of farming folks who employ permaculture agricultural principles and practices in producing food sustainably with the needs of local markets and people in heart and mind.
Our farm, while not currently certified as organic, uses all the sustainable and ecologically minded practices that any certified farm uses. We grow all our produce free of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. We use minimal to no tilling. We work with a local rancher This is small-scale regenerative farming in action.
Ron Ste Marie
Ron had a long and fulfilling career teaching in the Kamloops school district and beyond before retiring to become a farmer. He fixes irrigation issues, weeds until his hands hurt, drives the tractor, and moves rocks from the wrong place to the right place. He is also a musician, having released an album in 2018, and has played at various events and venues in the Kamloops region. Come visit the farm and taste his homemade rhubarb drink - one of his special recipes.
Jennifer Ste Marie
Jennifer spent many years as an occupational therapist, homemaker and visual artist until she felt the call to regenerate land for future generations. She plans and plants the crop rotations, goes to market in Sorrento and Chase with our delicious produce, and welcomes our visitors and volunteers with fresh food and drink. Ask her about the Miyawaki forest, the xeriscape garden, and the food forest on our property, and how they support biodiversity and food sovereignty.
Minou
Minou is a multitalented worker at the farm. She helps with planting and harvesting, jumps 5 feet in the air to catch insects, assists us with our vole population, and even keeps an eye on the cash box at our Farm Gate Sales on Tuesday afternoons. The friendliest of cats, she is always happy to lie in the shade close to where we are working. You know you're her friend if she daintily steps on your foot as she walks by.
Community Connections
Our property has space for collaborative production with other local growers. We are currently working with a local rancher to implement regenerative grazing management. A beekeeper in the region has several hives on our land. And, two farmers grow and bale hay in our pastures. We are also collaborating with BC Wildlife Federation to restore wetland in our valley.
Emma
Emma is known to stand on her little hill, surveying our work in the produce fields. She loves a good fresh cucumber and a pat on the cheek. She was invited to our farm to help improve our soil, but she's found it much more relaxing to just stay close to home.
Samson
We brought Samson to Notch Hill Community Growers so he could help us manage our weeds. He doesn't do that, and he doesn't stay in an electric fence either. One of his favourite activities is trying to take snacks from Emma. He is a photogenic goat, and always up for a visit. When lots of people are around, he likes to show off by play-fighting with Emma.
Location - Notch Hill
Notch Hill is a community located near Sorrento, in the South Shuswap region of British Columbia, Canada.
The name "Notch Hill" comes from the notch in the mountains where the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) originally laid its tracks in 1885.
Notch Hill Community Growers is in a beautiful valley with stunning sunsets, forested slopes, and low lying wetland.
Address
1962 Notch Hill Road, Sorrento, BC
Hours
By appointment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is permaculture farming?
Permaculture, a compound word from Permanent Agriculture, is a way of designing and cultivating that focuses on sustainable practices, ecological restoration, and biodiversity to create resilient agricultural and community systems.
What events do you offer?
We offer summer camps, creative workshops, farm tours, and educational activities for schools and community groups. Please get in touch if your group is interested in visiting our space.
How do you grow your produce?
We grow all our fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers using ecologically sustainable low-till methods. We avoid all use of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides for healthier crops.
Yes, we are a family run small scale farm. Our interest is to build community from the ground up. Please contact us if you're interested in working with us to create co-housing or cooperative growing projects!
Is your farm family-run?
Where are you located?
We are located in Notch Hill, near Sorrento, BC. Our property is a beautiful, ecologically rich area including productive farmland, pastureland for livestock, forested areas and wetland, as well as our residential space and farm gate sales zone.