Limbert Mountain Farm

They specialize in organically Grown Herbs & Specialty Foods.  Limbert Mountain Farm produces potted, fresh cut & dried herbs, custom tea blends, vinegars & gourmet herbal chocolate & pestos. Seasonal produce includes herbal salads, garlic, chestnuts and heirloom tomatoes.  For more information call 604-796-2619.

Tucked into the shadow of Limbert Mountain is the aptly named organic Herbary, Limbert Mountain Farm.  Part of the original Circle Farm Tour, this local attraction is owned by Trudie and Claude Bouchard.  This Farm has more than breathtaking views and lush gardens going for it.  It has over 100 years of history.

The story begins with the immigration in 1902 of Jean and Phillippine Adelaide Limbert (Claude Bouchards great grandparents) to Canada from St. Andeol in the French Alps near Grenoble.  While travelling by train across Canada they saw a great deal of the surrounding country.  When they reached Agassiz, the pastoral vistas reminded them of Grenoble and the mild climate suited their interests in wine grape growing.

Jean and Phillippine Limbert bought about 80 acres on “Cemetary Mountain” and 40 acres of pastureland.  Their son, Martin Limbert (Claudes grandfather) joined them in Agassiz after completing his service in the French Military.  Jean was a winemaker and Martin was a cheesemaker by trade. They cleared the hillside and planted fruits, vegetables and a 5 acre vineyard producing some of the finest wines in the valley.  The family ran a dairy farm and sold grapes, chestnuts and walnuts to markets in Vancouver for many years.  The present home and milk house was built about 1912 when the original house burned down.

The Limbert home became known simply as “the Mountain” where a continuous stream of Limberts resided over the years.  The present owners Claude and Trudie, have embraced the heritage their family and the mountain have given them. Claude had spent a great deal of time on “the Mountain” visiting with his grandparents and helping to take care of the farm.  After his grandmothers death in 1980, he and Trudie settled there.  The couple gradually developed a market garden business selling organic vegetables and herbs as well as wildcrafted medicinal herbs to shops in Vancouver and Victoria.  Although this “back to the land” lifestyle was very satisfying, a growing family and other demands necessitated a change. 

For several years the couple spent a great deal of time away from their beloved mountain.  But this did not stop their dream to one day live and work on the Mountain as their ancestors had done before.  They believed that Limbert Mountain Farm was a special place that needed to be shared with others; its history demanded that it remain intact and in the family as long as possible.  They set about realizing this dream.  In 2003, a beautiful cedar board and batten barn was completed with fir and cedar logged from the mountain.  The interest that this amazing structure generates is significant in a time when very few buildings are erected to withstand more than a decade or so.  This construction is built to last hundreds of years.  The Bouchard’s motto for the barn construction was: utilitas, firmitas et venistas; the creed of the Ancient Romans, much of whose construction still stands today.  The motto means Utility, Strength and Beauty.  This motto captures a philosophy for their business as well.

Trudie, a trained nurse and Herbalist, began a herb nursery in 2004.  Herbs, heritage plants and others that not only add beauty to a garden but are edible and useful in many ways are the foundation of her business.  She teaches classes on herb propagation and identification of wild herbs utilizing trails on the mountain where Great Grandpa Jean tended his grapes.  They have gardened organically since 1978 and continue to educate people on the importance of being good stewards of the land.  Gardening and particularly herbs are a passion that Trudie endeavours to pass on to visitors to the farm.  Using just about all of your senses to experience the farm’s treasures.

When asked about the future of Limbert Mountain Farm, Claude responded “We continue to plan and develop new ideas for this unique property.  We have been blessed with the job of caretakers and the greatest reward for all the work involved is when visitors comment on what a special place this is.  There is something special here that is often missing in peoples’ lives – a connection to creation and a sense of where we have come from.”

Limbert Mountain Farm is Open from March to December, Wednesday to Sunday, with special events and classes such as the annual Basil Festival and cooking classes with local culinary expert, Chef Dez.  Check out their website at http://www.limbertmountainfarm.com or call for more information at 604-796-2619.