The Cafe in the Country

Winding and Wending Country Road

Imagine finding a café in the middle of the country! When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Sloping hills, chickens scratching in a portable coup, cows grazing in a field below, and fresh produce grown not two minutes away. Makes you wonder why every restaurant doesn’t set up beside a farm.

Alderlea Farm in the Cowichan Valley serves up simple fair with seasonal or preserved products from their own backyard. John and Katy, owners of the enterprise make quite a team with Katy serving up culinary masterpieces and John bustling about making sure everything is in order, from the freshly picked lettuce to the tiny seedlings in the greenhouse across the street.

Their farm is unique and not just because they have a café attached. They

Barn on a Hill

follow the spiritual-ethical-ecological approach to agriculture first taught by educator and social activist Dr. Rudolf Steiner. This method of farming focuses on creating a balanced ecosystem that promotes sustainability.

They’ll be featured in our book Eat Local Live Longer on Vancouver Island with Katy sharing some of her kitchen artistry.

Roxanne and I had one of her chocolate chip cookies. We may be starting a tradition!