by Jo Barnes | photos by Kathryn Alvarez Photography –
Awww, nuts! Just when you think you have hazelnuts all figured out, you discover you might not even have the name right – apparently in Europe they’re typically called filberts.
But closer to home, here on the Saanich Peninsula, these mouth-watering morsels are known to many as Butler’s hazelnuts.
Adele Crocker of Butler Hazelnut Farm shares: “We have six acres of hazelnut trees. We farm because we love it. Customers ask for our hazelnuts each year. We prepare them in a lot of different ways.”
Adele is the daughter of Elizabeth (Liz) Butler and her late father Wilfred (Bud) Stephen Butler III who own the farm. Located along Central Saanich Road, Butler Hazelnut Farm, now in its sixth generation, offers hazelnuts in bulk either raw or dried, roasted, candy coated, beer nut seasoned, ground butter form, and as chocolate hazelnut bark.
Bud Butler purchased the 16-acre property in 1953 and began rotating a variety of berries and vegetables and later, hazelnuts. “We knew that hazelnuts grew well in Washington and Oregon,” says Liz. “They also grow well here due to the climate on the Saanich Peninsula. We belonged to the Nut Growers Society of Washington, Oregon and B.C.”
The farm and the Butler name are well known in the community. There’s Butler Crescent in the Keating area and the business Butler Concrete & Aggregate. Bud grew up on the Butler homestead on Keating Cross Road where the Co-Op Grocery Store stands today. The importance of family history was right in his name, with Bud carrying the Wilfred Stephen name of both his father and grandfather. He came from a long line of farmers, starting with his great grandfather, Captain George Stephen Butler, who came to Canada from England in 1862.
The farm is a family operation. Bud and Liz raised six children here, all of whom played a role on the farm while growing up. Adele recalls: “I have good memories of working on the farm with my siblings. When we were in our teens, we’d be out in the fields cutting broccoli.”
Starting with 100 trees, the hazelnut orchard expanded over time to the current 600. With more trees came a greater crop, and soon the Butlers realized they had far more than their family needed. “Once we started to have more than 200 pounds, we started to take the product to market,” says Adele.
Three varieties are grown, one of which, interestingly enough, is the Butler hazelnut. While there’s no connection with the name and this Peninsula family, the serendipitously named nut became a local favourite.
Pollination occurs in January and February when pollen-bearing catkins grow on the trees. “There are tassels that form on the tree. The wind blows them into the air and this pollinates other trees,” relates Liz.
Hazelnut harvesting is labour intensive as tons of matured hazelnuts need to be gathered, washed, dried and sorted. Over the years, family and friends have contributed to this effort. Adele, who is currently the sales manager, has lived on the property with her husband and children for 30 years. Her mom, despite her 87 years, is not slowing down and continues to manage the farm. “Mom will be out by 10 in the morning to eight at night,” says Adele. “She still tends about a half-acre vegetable garden in front of the house.”
“It’s revitalizing watching plants grow and sharing them with others. It’s a great feeling to be able to eat what you grow,” Liz enthuses.
During August, the nuts are gradually developing. Starting as green formations, they eventually mature, become brown, and by September, fall out of their husk coverings onto the ground below. Compared to other nuts like the almond or cashew, the hazelnut can do well even in tough soil, drought or other challenging conditions. “We have a good water supply here sourced from our deep onsite irrigation pond,” comments Adele. “We’ve never watered the trees. But the climate is changing, and the trees are showing signs of stress.”
Cleaned and ready for distribution, the hazelnuts are then sorted into bulk inventories or made into other products.
Hazelnuts are known for their health benefits. A great source of vitamins B, C and E and other nutrients and minerals, hazelnuts are helpful in promoting heart health, reducing inflammation, strengthening bones, and boosting immunity. As Liz sums up: “Hazelnuts are good for you!”
So, what’s in a name? Whether you call them hazelnuts or filberts, the name that stands for generations of hard work and tasty treats on the Saanich Peninsula is Butler. If you’d like to purchase hazelnuts or other products, you can phone ahead and speak with Adele or Liz at 250-652-1699.
