Final Stages

The final touches are going in! Our parking lot is almost done, and irrigation is fully installed and now going through its final tests – just in time for planting season!

We’re still working through a few email and internet hiccups, so if you’re waiting on your lease or invoice, please email us directly at bgardens@bgardens.ca.
Our new portable washroom lands on May 1st, and next week we’ll be sending out an invite for an on-site Meet 'n' Greet / Q&A Session. We hope to see everyone in their plots and gardening by May!

Thanks again for your patience and support — we're almost there!

Big Progress on the Fields!

Despite a pushback from Mother Nature, things are moving right along at the Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre!

 The irrigation in the Roots section has been tested and is flowing beautifully. The crew is now hard at work in the Maple section, bringing in some heavier equipment to keep things rolling. As you can see, there's no slowing them down! We’re so excited about how the build of this size is coming along. We’re excited to get growing—literally and figuratively—and we’ve got more good news on the way…

We’re planning a Meet & Greet + Info Session around mid-April, where you can come check things out, ask questions, and connect with the community. (We’re just waiting on the parking area to be ready before we can confirm and send out the official invites.)

So if you’ve got a paid lease—keep an eye on your inbox!

Thanks to everyone for your patience and enthusiasm. The weather is improving, and we can’t wait to grow with you!

Irrigation Progress and Parking Prep – More Steps Forward

With winter leaving us, progress at the Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre continues at full steam! We’re happy to report successful irrigation testing in the Roots section, marking a big milestone for the site. Seeing the first water flowing through the system was a great moment, and now we’re moving forward with the completion of the Maple and Tuf-Turf sections. Every bit of pipe laid brings us one step closer to a thriving, growing season. Despite the delays caused by recent atmospheric river events, our crew has kept things moving, and the results are starting to show. The land may be wet, but spirits are high. Despite sometimes challenging conditions, we owe the crew a huge thank you for all their efforts.

On another front, the parking area is being shaped and prepared for a fresh chip surface in the coming weeks. This will make access smoother and more reliable for members as we gear up for increased activity on the land.

We’re grateful for the continued patience and support from our community. With each improvement, we're building a space that supports connection, food security, education and local growing — and it’s all happening thanks to you.

Stay tuned for more updates as we move closer to the official kickoff of the season!

Water, Water everywhere…

The Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre is buzzing with activity—especially with the exciting progress happening on our irrigation system! We're thrilled to share that every garden allotment and farm plot will have its very own water spigot, making gardening easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

We're nearing completion of the main water lines, and now the focus shifts to building out all the section lines and individual plot connections. Hundreds of spigots are steadily going in, bringing us closer to a vibrant growing season. Check out these photos showcasing the water lines and spigots as they're currently suspended above ground. Once the work is done, all these pipes will be buried beneath the pathways and roadways, leaving just the convenient spigots accessible at each plot. Stay tuned for more updates—we can't wait to see your farms and gardens flourish!

Have We Missed You?

We’ve just sent out our first round of lease and member agreements as of March 15, 2025. If you’re expecting an agreement for a garden allotment or farm plot but haven’t received an email yet, please fill out the waitlist form again.

We apologize for any inconvenience. We recently experienced technical difficulties—our Google Drive malfunctioned, and we lost some data. We’ve since started a new list, so if we missed you, rest assured it wasn’t intentional.

Please note that we’re currently focusing on people who plan to start gardening or farming this season (2025). If you’re looking ahead to 2026, keep an eye out for our “2026 Waitlist” signup, which we’ll announce once we’ve welcomed our class of 2025.

For those who have already signed up: we’re still working hard to complete irrigation, and once that’s done, we’ll prepare roads, paths, and parking areas (so you don’t end up as muddy as we are—ha!). We’ll also be hosting a meet-and-greet closer to our opening date. If you’ve signed an agreement, you’ll receive an invitation. Stay tuned—no date has been set yet, but we’ll let you know!

Finalizing Details

John Espley and Lee Smith from CTV News Story Feb 2025

Hello again from the Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre! There’s a lot happening on the land these days. We’re making real progress with installing irrigation so everyone’s future gardens will have the water they need. Remember our motto, “a spigot for everyone.” We’re also hard at work completing the driveway and access to the parking area.

We’re excited to let everyone know that our final legal work on policies and leases is wrapped up, and we’ve published the policies on our website for everyone to read. Please read them over if you are going to be a member. We want to be open and upfront with everyone. Remember —this is your community too, and the policies outline what you can expect once you become a member. The final pricing went out in an email to everyone on the waitlist up to February 24, if you registered after, please see them online. We did have to make a few small fee changes to what we were hoping. This is due to extra permit fees (don’t ask) we were not expecting and some inflation around products we’ve had to buy BUT we’ve worked hard to keep all of our options affordable for everyone.

Speaking of membership, we’ve been chatting with lots of folks on our waiting list and answering their questions. It’s so great to read all the exciting comments from our future members. We’ll start sending out membership agreements in early March, so if you’re already on the list, keep an eye on your inbox. If you haven’t joined the waiting list yet, now’s the perfect time—sign up and be part of growing something special here!

In other news, we’ve been lucky to get some fantastic media coverage in Victoria and Vancouver—print, online, TV, and radio—so keep an eye out for us in the headlines. If you have any questions or want to learn more, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We can’t wait to see what the coming weeks bring as we gear up for spring!

Building Access & Irrigation – The Work Continues!

It’s been a busy month at the Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre as we keep pushing forward on key infrastructure. One of the biggest milestones? Getting the new driveway in place! Culverts have been going in, and soon we’ll have proper access ready to welcome the farmers and gardeners who will be growing with us.

At the same time, we’ve also started installing the irrigation system—a crucial step in making sure the land is set up for success. Big thanks to Wes-Tech for supplying the materials to help get this system up and running.

With each step, we’re getting closer to opening, and it’s exciting to see everything take shape. More updates to come soon—stay tuned!

If you are not already signed up for our waiting list, make sure to fill out the form! 

The News is out - We have Land!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 29, 2025

Introducing the Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre: A Groundbreaking Initiative for Local Farming and Gardening

Saanich, BC – The Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre, a pioneering project on Vancouver Island and a one-of-a-kind concept in Canada, is poised to open as early as March 1st. This transformative initiative, spanning nearly 14 acres, integrates farm plots, community gardens, and a small retail operation in a distinctive effort to bolster local agriculture, cater to farmers, garden enthusiasts, and benefitting the broader community.

Strategically located in the heart of the South Island, beneath scenic Mount Douglas and surrounded by urban development, the Centre aims to reconnect the community with agriculture and horticulture while addressing critical issues such as rising food costs and local food security.

The founders, Victoria locals Lee Smith and John Espley, envision the Centre as an enduring legacy that is protecting and promoting local agriculture and gardening for generations. With its extensive scale and innovative approach, the project offers:

• An impressive 14-acre site with three land plots at 4020, 4040, and 4060 Blenkinsop Road in Saanich. • Diverse gardening options, including hundreds of community garden allotments and several larger farm plots. • On-site support from Tuf-Turf, a trusted local business providing gardening supplies and rentals to empower participants.

“This project is about more than just land and gardens,” said John Espley, Founding Partner and spokesperson. “It’s about protecting the land for generations and fostering a stronger connection between people and agriculture, creating educational opportunities, and ensuring local access to fresh produce in a time of rising costs.”

The Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre is also committed to collaborating with local non-profits to establish educational growing programs and grow food for the communities they serve. This initiative is a dedicated to building a sustainable, inclusive space for individuals, families, and businesses to cultivate fresh produce while contributing to food security and overall community well-being. New or experienced farmers are struggling to find farmland, let alone great existing farmland such as this.

“This is a model of private enterprise stepping up and supporting the challenges of local agriculture and Positively contributing to the needs of South Island Farmers.”

Shellie MacDonald, Pres. South Island Farmers Institute

All levels of government are emphasizing the idea of buying local and especially in these trying times this project will offer the opportunity to both grow to sell and /or, grow to eat local produce thus reducing our demand on more distant sources.

With the need for more housing and the government focus on densification, this project will also will be a great resource for those living in condos or apartments, giving them access to green space to grow their own food. “We also see this a viable option for developers and strata councils, offering them the ability to secure a large number of allotments to serve their residents.” Lee Smith, Founding Partner.

Staying true to its mission of accessibility, the Centre has structured fees to be pocket-friendly. With a one-time membership fee and annual Community Garden leases costing less than a monthly streaming service, growing is now within reach for everyone.

For those eager to secure their spot, the https://www.bgardens.ca/bcac-waitlist.

Contact Information for Media:

Contact: John Espley, Founding Partner

 Inquiries: Email: bgardens@bgardens.ca

“if it takes me a little to get back to you, I apologize as I may be working in the fields, prepping for our new farmers!”

The Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre is more than just a place to grow—it’s a commitment to revitalizing local agriculture and creating a vibrant hub for education, sustainability, and community connection.

Connecting Agriculture with Community Gardens

John Espley of Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre and Shellie MacDonald Pres South Island Farmers Institute at the Jan 2025

Progress at Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre: Deer Fences and Garden Layouts

Exciting developments are underway at the Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre, and you can rest assured that the team has been working tirelessly to make it all happen! We've been installing sturdy deer fences and gate openings to protect the community gardens, ensuring a secure and thriving environment for all.

The ½-acre plots and community garden allotments are taking shape, with careful planning to maximize space and accessibility. The bright red markers in the photos highlight the detailed layouts that will soon transform into lush, productive gardens for the community.

Next on the agenda? Irrigation installation! This critical step will ensure that all the farm plots and gardens are ready to flourish, providing ample water to support a bountiful growing season ahead.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre grows into a hub of sustainability and community connection. Learn more about the project at bgardens.ca.

Would you like to be on the waiting list? Sign up here for the BCAC Waitlist — Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre.

Don’t forget to share this news with your family and friends who like to garden or want to become farmers!

Deer Fencing being installed

Community Garden Allotments being laid out

Breaking Ground: Blenkinsop Agricultural Community Centre Takes Shape!

Despite the chill in the air and damp winter weather, exciting progress is underway at the Blenkinsop Agricultural Community Centre! With a brand new tractor secured and construction officially begun, we're laying out the foundational elements that will soon welcome a thriving community of farmers and gardeners.

Our team has been hard at work marking out the 5x10 allotments, half acre plots, roadways, pathways, and key infrastructure—plus installing essential deer fencing to protect future crops. The goal? To have eager growers on-site and ready to start planting by March 1st!

If you're ready to dig in and be part of this unique agricultural project, we invite you to join the waitlist. Spaces are limited, so sign up today and grow with us!

👉 Sign up for the waitlist

Stay tuned for more updates as we transform this vision into a vibrant, collaborative farming space!