Beaver Meadow Farms

Edgar and his brother Phillip, third generation farmers and co-owners of Beaver Meadow Farms. Edgar, B.Sc. Agrology, Professional Agrologist, is the Managing Director. Phillip is a director, co-manager, and his area of expertise is repairs, maintenance, and fabricating equipment.

This third generation farm has been operated by the Smith family for over 90 years. They use a natural system of regenerative farming which has earned the farm the Certified Organic Producer #03-16-198 from the BC Association for Regenerative Agriculture (BCARA). The farm is now also SPCA Certified, and certified Salmon Safe.

Read about raising organic, Grass-Fed and Grass-Finished beef and using methods of operation that exceed organic requirements in Edgar Smith’s Own Words.

Watch Edgar’s FarmFolk CityFolk tour of Beaver Meadow Farms (Video 1), his tour of the fish hatchery on Beaver Meadow Farms (Video 2, length 5:50 minutes), and the Zoom Q&A (Edgar’s answers, Video 3).

More about the Farm:

The Smiths’ holistically create and support a diverse landscape of forest, riparian areas, and grassland which maintain the native integrity of the Upper Little River Basin. Harvesting at a sustainable level ensures the future of this ecosystem. The restored stream habitat supports coho, pink and chum salmon, and sea run cut throat fry – now one of the most productive fish habitats on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Little River, and the salmon and trout runs, have recovered to historic levels or greater of natural runs. The Smiths cooperate with the local salmon enhancement society which built and maintains the fish hatchery on the farm at the head of the stream.

The grasslands are the heart of the cattle operation and sustain the cattle year-round. Note that Natural Pastures Beef uses no supplemental grain feed at all. Herds are rotated on a sophisticated system of monitoring plant growth and recovery. The cows are noticeably clean and disease-free. Many of the Smiths’ practices contribute to this, including the raised sawdust “highways” that connect all pastures and winter facilities. No chemical pesticides or herbicides, no antibiotics or growth hormones are used. The Smiths use a far more diverse, yet in-depth, level of knowledge than that needed for conventional farming. The results are evident in healthier, sustainable practices, healthier, happier animals and exemplary foods providing deliciously distinct flavours, nutrition and enjoyment.

Summer 2021

“Yes this heat is challenging for all on the farm. Good thing is with all the grass and
trees it is a lot cooler than neighbouring farms. Our regenerative farming and enhanced photosynthesis from all the plants increases evapotranspiration and cools the soils and atmosphere. Still is hot but manageable.”

~ Edgar Smith

NATURAL PASTURES BEEF

Is 100% Grass-Fed and Grass-Finished, and available at the BC retailers listed on “Retailers and Restaurants“.

Limited Private and Custom Orders are available. Details here.

“Beaver Meadow Farms meets all of the Salmon-Safe Agriculture standards, including protection of waterways, water conservation, natural pest and fertility management, erosion and sedimentation control, and protection of biodiversity. Thank you for your commitment to environmentally sustainable agriculture.”

~ Theresa Fresco, Salmon-Safe BC Program Manager
Fraser Basin Council