Sooke's Brass Bell Farm receives bursary to expand dairy facility

Brass Bell Farm in Sooke received the 2025 Sooke Region Food CHI Farmer Bursary of $1,500 to help complete a dairy facility, including the purchase of a bulk milk tank, as the farm prepares to begin sheep dairy production.

Brass Bell Farm in Sooke has been awarded the 2025 Sooke Region Food CHI Farmer Bursary. The $1,500 bursary is intended to support the farm's dairy facility work. Brass Bell has been raising livestock in the area for 15 years and recently expanded into sheep dairy. The farm purchased registered East Friesian ewe lambs in late 2024, welcomed them to East Sooke in December, and reported the first lambing in April 2025. Key facts: - The farm received the 2025 Sooke Region Food CHI Farmer Bursary valued at $1,500. - The bursary will help fund the completion of the dairy facility, specifically toward purchasing a bulk milk tank to ensure proper milk cooling and quality. - Brass Bell bought a starter flock of registered East Friesian ewe lambs from Wooldrift Dairy in Ontario in late 2024 and had first lambing in April 2025. - The farm plans to begin sheep milk production in the spring and will supply all milk to Haltwhistle Cheese Company in the Cowichan Valley for artisan cheese production. - Brass Bell intends to grow its flock gradually while continuing rotational and multi-species grazing alongside its cattle, pigs, and poultry. Summary: The bursary is reported as supporting Brass Bell Farm's immediate equipment needs as it moves into sheep dairy production. The farm is preparing to start dairy production in the spring and to supply milk to Haltwhistle Cheese Company for cheese making. Ongoing plans include gradual flock growth and continued multi-species grazing to maintain stewardship of the land.