CPM Farms Story
CPM Farms Story
Farm History
CPM Farms Ltd is located at 3387 Tolmie Road on Sumas Prairie in the District of Abbotsford located
near HWY #1 and Cultus Lake. We have lived and farmed on this property since 1981. We had a hog
farm and we raised breeding stock on contract for a large breeding stock company as well as a small
nursery consisting of pond plants, Christmas trees, cut flowers and other garden plants. In 2006 we
had to make the decision to close the hog operation and focus on the nursery. We expanded on this
part of the operation as well as planted 15 acres of the land into 3 varieties of Blueberries. Eventually
we opened a retail nursery on the farm.
saw the need to further entice visitors to come to the farm. We invested in landscaping and created
gardens and display ponds both outside and inside one of our growing greenhouses. In due course
word got out that The Secret Garden, as we soon were called, was a tranquil place for a meeting, a
tour destination and eventually, a perfect place for a wedding or other event. We had serendipitously
found a niche that was not being filled in our community. There seemed to be a need for an attractive
gathering place in a farm type setting. Relying almost exclusively on word by mouth advertising we
found that most weekends during our nursery season were being filled with events ranging from
Garden Club tours to private events. We embraced this as a great opportunity to sell, promote and
educate. We hired extra staff (all from farming background) and we have seen not only a substantial
increase in product sales but have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback from visitors.
Special promotional events (e.g. private or public special occasion events for the promotion of farm
products)
We host a variety of private harvest events during the summer and fall. At all events we serve
blueberries and other local produce catered by local catering companies.
Charity fund-raising events where farm products from are offered for sale or by contribution and the
net proceeds are donated to a registered charity.
We host multiple fund raising events during the season including the Abbotsford Rotary Clubs annual
fundraiser to fund the Abbotsford Starfish Backpack program that feeds over 200 elementary school
kids each weekend in the Abbotsford district. Seed funding for this valuable program is exclusively
from this event and all input costs are donated (catering, staff, venue, dcor). We also host greenhouse
tours during all events.
Catered food and beverage service special events where farm products from the farm are promoted,
but not a service requiring the use of a permanent commercial kitchen.
This particular segment of Policy #4 of the ALC Act (AGRITOURISM ACTIVITIES IN THE ALR) allows a special event that
is catered by an outside source and promotes farm
products. These pictures demonstrate how beautifully
farming and weddings can be intertwined. Imagine the
facebook time farming countryside got with pictures like
these.
We do not have a commercial kitchen. All food served in our
nursery is prepared off site by a licensed, insured caterer.
Any private special events must be willing to allow us to
promote our plants and blueberries during the event. We
also establish (in a contract) that we are a working nursery
and at all time the purpose of inviting visitors to the nursery
is to showcase our products. As a member of the circle farm
tour we are open to the public at all times during business
hours including during events. We have staff on hand to
offer guided tours of the farm.
Personal History
Paul & Caroline Mostertman emigrated from Holland in
1979/81. We both have degrees in Agriculture and started
farming in 1981 on our current property. We have both
been active participant in the agricultural industry and sat
on a number of boards and advisory committees. Amongst
others, Paul was part of the VIDO swine advisory group
(Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization) for many
years. Caroline was on the East Chilliwack Co-Op Board
and on The Hog Commission board for six years as ViceChair/Chair and Acting Manager. We were also the BC
representatives for a genetic breeding stock company for
almost 20 years. We have 2 grown children and a dog.