Words Jo Barnes
Photos Sarah Hartley Photography
You might have heard the old “dad joke” that goes “Why did the farmer get an award? Because he was outstanding in his field!”
All joking aside, local farmer Paul Davidson and his wife Chelsea are not just “out standing” in the field but digging, planting, tending
and harvesting!
Since 2025, when they started Paulz Farm in Central Saanich, bountiful harvests have been bringing in both customers and recognition in the form of juried awards. “Paul participated in the Saanich Fall Fair in 2025 and won ‘Best Corn in Show’, ‘Best Carrot over six inches’ and ‘Best Carrot under six inches’,” shares Chelsea. “It meant a lot and gave us validation as first season growers.”
The energetic farm couple leases land in Central Saanich from the Mar family. Working with Jack, Jim, Nicky, Jen, and Trish Mar, they farm acreages off Veyaness and Martindale Roads. Paulz Farm offers a diverse produce menu including carrots, beets, corn, green beans, Swiss chard, kale, pickling cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, a variety of lettuces, cantaloupe and even watermelon. In addition, pumpkins, gourds and squash will be available come the fall.
Since its start, the farm has continued to grow, now employing six to eight employees. Farm produce is sold at the Goldstream Market, PKLOS Market, Brentwood Music in the Park and it can be found each day at the farm stand at 7117 Veyaness Road. In addition, it offers weekly veggie box programs. Produce is fresh picked on the day of pickup, and there are several pick-up locations available.
Paul is no newcomer to farming, as he grew up on the Peninsula and has extensive farm experience that all began as a teen. His interest in farming was sparked by a work experience program he did when attending Stelly’s Secondary School. Paul grows a variety of award-winning crops but really enjoys cultivating carrots. “I’ve always liked carrots. Once they’re out of the ground and cleaned, they look beautiful,” he says. “I think it’s a vegetable everybody likes. Kids don’t always like vegetables, but usually they’ll go for a carrot.”
Proof of Paul’s assessment of children’s fondness for carrots hangs on the wall of the farm stand. There you’ll see a young child’s picture of a bright orange carrot with a thank you note for the “delicious carrots” at the farm.
That positive customer feedback comes from the extra time and care Paul puts into the farm. Chelsea notes: “Paul grows a variety of carrots and everything is handpicked and handwashed rather than by machine. He takes a lot of pride in what he does every day.”
This kind of effort results in quality produce that is definitely prompting positive reviews. Customers comment about the “fresh quality”, “awesome taste”, and, of course, “excellent carrots”.
As well as at the farm stand or in customer boxes, the carrots are transformed into other items such as carrot cake and marmalade. Chelsea, a trained chef, thoroughly enjoys the culinary side of Paulz Farm and initiated “Treat Fridays” at the farm offering goodies such as chocolate beet brownies, rhubarb lemon loaf, and of course, carrot cake. “Some carrots are completely edible but not as perfect in appearance, so I decided to make carrot cake with the carrots,” says Chelsea. “I went to culinary school in Calgary and had a restaurant called Radar’s Roost. The carrot cake recipe is from my mom.”
Regardless of experience or enthusiasm, there are of course always challenges with farming. “It’s not always easy with farming. You’re dealing with weather, soil, the demands of planting and harvesting, and having enough hands to do the work,” says Chelsea. “It’s a learning process too. For instance, with farm crops, you want to make sure you’re not overwatering or underwatering. It can be tricky. Mistakes can be expensive.”
In addition, with their two young daughters now in the midst, Paul and Chelsea are not only growing food but growing a family. It is a busy time. They take advantage of their connection with the local farming network such as the South Island Farm Institute which enables them to collaborate with other farmers, share tips, gain knowledge and promote the farm.
Paul and Chelsea are committed to farming with a view to the broader community around them. “We really like collaboration between farmers. At the farm stand we sell others farmers’ produce too like blueberries or eggs,” relates Chelsea. “We also provide produce from our farm to charitable groups like the Mustard Seed and Lifecycle.”
In the end, for this couple, it’s all about giving back to others. “It’s all about feeding the community and being connected with it and also maintaining farmland,”
says Chelsea.
The owners of Paulz Farm keep their feet “rooted” on their fields and eyes “peeled” on their dream of growing nutritious food for the community, and that’s no joke.
www.paulzfarm.ca
