This year’s harvest is looking promising compared to last year’s on Cortes Island, according to a local farmer. In 2022, throughout the region, some local farmers reported that fraction of their average fruit got pollinated.

“It's a much easier year compared to last year," said Sara Stewart, a Cortes Island farmer. "It was so wet and cold for so long. Everything grew really slowly. … May was pretty hot …There's been lots of sunshine. Not too much rain. Not too little rain. So it's been pretty productive so far. And the fruit trees all bloomed and were pollinated. I'm just starting to see the little fruits developing."

With the orchards looking promising this season, the farmer said it was a 'relief.'

“So it's a huge relief. I got about 1 per cent of the potential fruit last year, and this year it seems like it'll be a pretty good year. ”

Stewart noted that pests had been especially bad in the orchard during last year’s wet spring, but she has been utilizing sheep to cut the apple maggot cycle. The farmer also managed to earn a grant to bolster fencing for the animal husbandry this past winter through the Environmental Farm Plan. 

July 1 marks the beginning of the full outdoor Friday Markets for the summer season in the Mansons Hall courtyard. The market features several local farmers, food makers, artisans, and more. Stewart’s produce will be available at the markets until the first week of October.

To hear more about farming at Reef Point Farm this season, listen to the CKTZ News update below: