Barr Family Farm

We became farmers through our desire to raise the happiest, healthiest meat for our 4 children.

This came about after 10 years being vegetarian and completing a PhD in animal behaviour and welfare.

We wanted to know that our food was coming from animals who died with the same respect in which they lived and that their life could be the best it could be. My childhood spent with horses gave me some knowledge about caring for animals but the farming community on Saltspring welcomed us, from Ireland, with open arms and have taught us so much about raising our stock.

We watch our animals’ social interactions and, whilst husbandry is necessary in raising them for meat, we consider the gentlest methods for everything we do. We farm like all of our neighbours, from a place of love towards our animals and gratitude to be living this life with them. Our animals are on grass year-round. They have cute and cosy field shelters for when the weather gets rough.

The pigs live in a 4 acre forest. We supplement with local hay from SS (sometimes from our own land) and with grain (organic where possible) for the times when our girls need extra energy.

Our farm is chemical free with a focus on improving the soil (and grazing) through natural practices. We have almost 80 acres of native woodland that we conserve and have planted over 1000 trees on our farm in the past 5 years, including a, soon-to-be bountiful orchard. Many trees planted by little hands for our kids’ future and those yet to come.

Find Us

Our farm lies in the beautiful Cranberry Valley