Words Jo Barnes
Photos Marcel Qualizza
Many of us try to confront our fears: skydiving out of a plane, climbing an icy vertical rockface, diving off a towering cliff into the water below, and for some, it’s going nose to beak with a chicken!
Bev Qualizza has always had an innate fear of animals, but that was part of the challenge she faced when she and her husband Marcel took on the operation of Arnason Brook Farm as they approached their retirement years. “My name on Instagram was ‘Scaredycatfarmergirl’,” laughs Bev. “I’ve always had a fear of animals. When I first had to handle the chickens when we first got them, I had to close my eyes. But with a lot of support from everyone, I did it! I am proud of facing my fears, and it is rewarding. I have respect for these animals as they produce for us.”
Nestled amid tall firs along Charlton Road in Saanich, the five-acre farm, named after the brook which runs through it, produces a variety of vegetables, free-run eggs, pasture-raised lamb and sheep wool.
While Marcel was raised on the farm, he and Bev, formerly employed with the provincial public service, are essentially farming newbies. The farm was originally owned by Marcel’s parents, who began building it in 1980. “My mom had passed away, and in 2017, my dad said ‘the farm is too much for me now’,” shares Marcel. “Bev and I wanted to do something with this property. We feel fortunate to own it and live here.” Adds Bev: “We want to be good stewards of this land, to provide food for people, and to give back to the community.”
After selling their home in Gordon Head and completing renovations to the main house including an inlaw suite for Marcel’s father, the couple moved in 2018. Since then, a large agricultural building to house vehicles, tools and a woodworking area has been added. Outbuildings have been made more efficient, such as a specialized area for washing, sorting and packaging produce and enhanced chicken nesting boxes. Raised plant beds have been installed and a large hoophouse and greenhouse built. Marcel shares about how he often uses recycled items in the process. “We like a minimalist perspective and don’t keep things we don’t use. My dad used a lot of reclaimed items. He collected sliding glass doors, so I used these in the panels of the greenhouse. The solid table we use for sorting and packaging was originally one that dad recycled from Public Works which was on its way to the landfill.”
Initially, the focus was on egg production, a product which has proven to be important. “Eggs are a big staple and draw people in for sure. We sell 20 to 24 dozen a week,” says Marcel. “When Covid came along, we didn’t know what to do with all the eggs. But customers were working from home and were willing to drive out to pick up eggs.”
Word soon spread. Customers began inquiring on behalf of friends not only about the eggs but also about the vegetables that Marcel and Bev were growing. “People were interested, so we started producing more. It all kind of snowballed,” notes Marcel.
With a large property to maintain and livestock to tend, tasks are endless, even with helpful assistance from their son Matteo. For this enthusiastic couple, though, it’s all part of what gives them satisfaction and meaning. “Being industrious, improving and building something, these are the values that drive us,” says Marcel. “I love woodworking and metalwork, and Bev enjoys cooking and the direct connection with the garden and entertaining friends and family.”
Their farming adventure brings challenges like navigating the daily physical load or how to enhance the soil on the property, but the farming duo takes it in stride. “We are always learning. We learn by accident sometimes; we make mistakes,” says Marcel, adding with a laugh: “We don’t know what we don’t know!”
The pursuit and work involved with producing food themselves has given them new perspective. “When I was growing up, my parents were growing vegetables and producing their own meat. They would serve up a regular European charcuterie plate for Saturday lunch. It was just the way you ate!” exclaims Marcel. “Our appreciation of it all is blossoming.”
“I like to be part of this incredible cycle of nature and community,” adds Bev. “I like to have the ability to influence people and how they think about food and food security.”
Growing food, raising livestock, and sharing all of this with others in the community has brought new purpose for this couple. And, for Bev, it has the added satisfaction of showing those chickens just who is the boss!
www.arnasonbrookfarm.ca
