Located at 360 Duncan Street in the heart of downtown, the twenty hotel rooms have been upgraded and converted into affordable downtown living apartments. Each suite has a small kitchenette and new flooring, as well as individual heating/cooling units. We have 16 studio suites, 2 semi-1-bedroom units, and 1 full 1-bedroom unit, to allow for a mix of tenants.

CGC’s mandate is to improve food security by developing strong relationships If you are interested in renting, please contact CGC at:
250 748 8506 or info@cowichangreencommunity.org

Sustainability and The Station Project

Sustainability is generally characterized as activity that, minimally, does not harm, and in the best cases, repairs environmental and/or social harm that has been caused in the past, while still working at a financial level.

During the renovations, CGC committed to showcasing as many ‘green’ innovations as possible. Accomplishments included:

• Installing edible landscaping and landscaping using native plantings throughout the property,
• installing an Electric Vehicle charging station,
• setting up bicycle parking for onsite businesses as well as residential tenants,
• reusing building materials where possible and striving to achieve the goal of zero-waste.

CGC is committed to maintaining the upstairs living suites as affordable (non-subsidized) downtown living. No existing tenants were displaced due to the renovations.

From a financial perspective, the building generates enough revenue to be financially sustainable, with a small percentage of the annual income made available to support CGC’s operations.

From humble beginnings in 2013, the KinPark Youth Urban Farm has blossomed into an urban agriculture demonstration site and working farm, based on the growing principles of permaculture.

Open to all members of the public, we utilize this space to increase local food access, train young people in sustainable agriculture, and create youth-led opportunities that serve the environment and surrounding community. As we work to transform the park into an edible oasis, we also strive to create connections with community partners. We collaborate on workshops, events, and programs that bring value, skills, and connection to Cowichan families and youth.

Are you interested in getting involved? KinPark is open for tours, volunteer opportunities, internships, and can host a variety of workshops to suit your needs. For more information, contact Lauren Ziffle, KinPark supervisor at carol@cowichangreencommunity.org.

For weekly updates, follow KinPark Youth Urban Farm on Facebook, and @kpyouth on Instagram!

Fresh from the Farm

KinPark Kids Camp

The Cowichan Farm & Food Hub is located at 2431 Beverly St., Duncan.
The public is welcome to the site to experience and interact with our many initiatives, including our plant nursery, produce & seed farm, inclusion garden, elder community gardens as well as the newly established Food Hub.

Beginning in 2015, our initial venture was that of a seed farm. The fields were sown and seeds were propagated to offer locally adapted, organic seeds to the community. The growing space became certified organic in 2018 and expanded to produce food crops for local consumption.

The site has developed to feature a plant nursery that specializes in native, edible & medicinal plants. An Inclusion Garden exists as a place for people of all abilities to experience the joy and healing aspects of growing, caring for, and harvesting food. The Elder Garden offers easily accessible garden beds for individuals to utilize. We focus on education through welcoming volunteers, hosting workshops, and gardening alongside the community.

The Food Hub component includes a commercial kitchen and food distribution warehouse. The kitchen is available to local farmers and small-scale food producers to value add and develop their products. It is also utilized as an educational space for workshops and classes in food production.

The warehouse is home to the Cow-Op, a local online Farmers’ Market that distributes locally produced farm, food and art products to locations in Victoria, Cowichan & Ladysmith.

Take a tour of the farm and ask your gardening questions! The Nursery is open for sales Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Purchase your plants and seeds onsite at the Cowichan Farm & Food Hub, through Cow-op, at the reFRESH Marketplace or via email at gec@cowichangreencommunity.org or phone us at 250 597 8200.

Created as a community project in 2013, the cob oven in Centennial park in downtown Duncan has seen many celebrations between 2013 and 2017. Thanks to the stewardship of the Cowichan community kitchens and Hiiye’yu Lelum- House of Friendship it became a gathering place for different organizations and families for their special events.

From 2017 to 2021, things were quiet at the oven while the question of stewardship was open. Now, as of November 2021, Cowichan Green Community has accepted this role and we are excited to be once again open for the community, beginning in Spring 2022.

The cob oven and kitchen are a venue for small to medium size gatherings where food is part of the focus: we have a wood-fired pizza oven, a grill plate, and a one-burner heating spot also wood-fired. These fires are set up as “rocket stoves” a special clean burning system.

In addition, there is a large marble counter/ workspace and two sinks. We have access to electricity.

Adjacent to this set-up is a picnic table arrangement that, while not connected or part of our booking, may be available to the party.

We also have tents for shade/rain cover available.

In relationship with the CGC kitchen, we offer ready-to-go food to choose from. Watch for community announcements for current offers.

All of this comes with trained staff to host you and your guests!