Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm
 

Who We are:

The Forstbauer Family


Oma & Opa

Mary & Hans have been successfully farming Organically since the 1970’s
























The Twelve

Mary and Hans raised 12 children on the farm.  The oldest was born in early 1970’s and the youngest in the 1990’s










The Twelve Branch Out

Mary and Hans now have a handful of sons & daughters in-law and over 30 grandchildren, many of whom live on or near the farm!







 


In the Beginning...

The Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm began in 1977 when Mary and Hans bought nice little 7 acre farm on the Matsqui Prairies (near Abbotsford).  At the time they had five children, and in the 11 year of farming there they would more that double the number of children as they would have six more!

In the early years there were no written guidelines for farming organically and not an overly large market for the produce also.  Although there we not a large number of farmers who farmed organically, they all farmed with great passion and a conviction.

On our farm, we mainly produced blueberries in the earlier years.  It wasn't long before we began growing carrots and other ground crops during the summer to sell along with the berries.  The word spread quickly about the great food that we grew and people would come from all over the area, parking their cars on both sides of the street to come and pick berries & get their fresh Veggies.  

As the demand for fresh organic produce grew, so did our farm.  By the time we sold our farm in Matsqui and moved to Chilliwack we were leasing close to 20 acres of land from our neighbors.  As the time passed, the land we leased was being sold and it was time to move.


The Big Move to Chilliwack (1988)...

The year 1988 was an important year for the farm as it was the year that Mary and Hans packed up all of their belongings and, along with their twelve children moved to the new farm they purchased in Chilliwack.  This is where the farm is now.

Early on one could tell that there was no life in the soil.  When the boys wanted to get some worms to go fishing every rock, log, stick... everything was turned over in an attempt to finds a worm.  But worms and other critters too were few and far between on the new farm.  It took many years of replenishing the soil for the life to return.  (now you’ll never have any trouble finding worms)

In the first summer, blueberries were planted, hay was harvested we grew a lot of vegetables.  Since then, many crops of veggies have  been planted and harvested.  Over the years the quality of the food has increased as the health of the soil increased.

In the late 1990’s we began farming Biodynamically.  This was an important move for us as it reflects more of what we wanted to be as a farm.  Along with that through farming Biodynamically we can grow superior food, that is food with more life & nutrients than that of your typical organic farm.  (Check out the FARMING METHODS section for more information about Biodynamic Farming).

That pretty much brings us up to date... well almost... after moving to Chilliwack one more child was born making the number of children an even dozen.  All 12 Children have been an important part of the farm. It is hard to describe how important...

 

What is Presently Happening at Forstbauer Natural Food Farm...

In our 30th year of Farming, the Forstbauer Family Natural  Food Farm is as busy as one might imagine.  During the summer you can find us at many Farmers Markets in the Vancouver & Lower Mainland area (see the MARKETS section).  

Presently we produce a wide range of Vegetables as well as Blueberries, strawberries, eggs & Beef.  

 

A Quick History Of Our Farm