We tend to think of the smaller islands as a sleepy refuge from the whir and hum of urban society. But tucked into a pocket of protected forest and lush fields on Salt Spring Island, Foxglove Farm is a buzzing agrarian hub for agriculture and the arts.Founded by Michael Ableman, a forerunner in community-oriented organic farming, the farm hosts a series of programs that serve as tonic for the wearied city soul or inspiration for the budding farmer in its Centre for Arts, Ecology & Agriculture.

The Centre aims to demonstrate and interpret the vital connections between farming, land stewardship, food, the arts, and community well-being. Specific courses range from the four-day Art of Wild Crafting which explores how native people fed, clothed, and sheltered themselves using wild materials to an evening class on growing food for your family in tight city spaces. August 4th to 7th you can dance to the Brazilian Samba with Brazilian performing artist Cida Veira and July 21st to 24th, Michael Ableman leads A New Way of Seeing: Photographing Farm, Garden & Forest for fans of his large body of photographic work.

Whatever your interests may be, the programs are an inspiring way to spend time on beautiful Foxglove Farm with the writers, artists, musicians, farmers, and ecologists that make this enclave a true hub of progressive activity. And if you’d rather just take it all in on your own terms, check out their quaint cabins and guest cottages. Their Log House looks like the perfect place to retreat for a quiet summer rejuvenator. With strawberries, raspberries, quince, a wide range of Mediterranean vegetables, farm fresh eggs, and grains grown on the farm you’ll eat divinely. In fact, it may become impossible to dislodge oneself from the fresh-from-the-ground diet, Salt Spring beauty, and cultural whirl of activity. ‘Sleepy’ Salt Spring just got a whole lot more stimulating.

Click here to read more about Foxglove Farm