Clever Crow Farm: Rooted in Flavour and Sustainability

April 15, 2025

Nestled in the heart of Black Creek, just north of Courtenay, Clever Crow Farm is a vibrant five-acre haven where food, creativity, and sustainability come together. Founded in 2014 by Lia and Brian McCormick, the farm has blossomed into a cherished destination for both locals and visitors alike.

From Café Roots to Fertile Fields

Lia and Brian’s journey began in 1995, when they moved to the Comox Valley and co-owned the beloved Bar None Café. Their deep-rooted passion for food and community led them to create Clever Crow Farm from the ground up.

Starting with a blank slate, they cultivated the land into a thriving ecosystem of leafy greens, vegetables, and herbs — including their Signature Salad Mix, Carrots, Fennel, Sweet Peppers, Tomatoes and so much more.

The Kitchen is the Heartbeat of the Farm

Step inside the Clever Crow farm store and you're likely to be greeted by the scent of something fresh from the oven or a savoury spice blend in the works. The kitchen isn’t hidden — it’s the heartbeat of the building.

Here, Lia blends fragrant herbs and spices into her well known sea salt and seasoning packages, hand labeled with care.

During the summer harvest, tables overflow with just-washed greens ready for bagging, while bubbling kimchi and other small-batch favourites take shape in the background.

Chef Brian, a Canadian Red Seal Chef, brings his culinary skill to the farm kitchen a few times a month. His creations — hearty soups, slow-simmered chilies, Sambal Sauce, and the wildly popular Brian’s Burger Relish — are made with ingredients grown just steps from the stove.

Clever Crow preserves the best of every season. At the peak of ripeness, they freeze tomatoes, fennel, tomatillos, sweet peppers, and eggplant to carry those flavours into fall and winter soups and sauces. It’s a full-circle rhythm of growing, preserving, and cooking that nourishes the land and the community alike.

Rooted in Regeneration

Clever Crow Farm is deeply committed to organic, sustainable practices. Their approach includes the use of compost, manure, and cover crops to feed the soil and support vibrant microbial life.

The land is a diverse mosaic — garden beds, forest edges, grassy fields, and a creek tributary. With hedgerows of fruit trees and elderberries, and more than 30 birdhouses installed, the farm is designed to support pollinators, songbirds, and biodiversity at every level.

Embrace the flavours of the Comox Valley and discover the farm-crafted goodness waiting at Clever Crow.

Visit and Connect

Soar above the land and take a bird's eye view of Clever Crow Farm— Watch their Video Tour

Clever Crow Farm welcomes you to discover their hand-crafted food, fresh produce, and a way of farming that feels like home.

7911 Island Hwy, Black Creek, BC
Wednesday to Saturday, 9 AM – 5 PM
clevercrowfarm@gmail.com
250.465.0448
clevercrowfarm.com | @clevercrowfarm

Written by Sita Huber for Edible Island, in collaboration with Clever Crow Farm.

Photos courtesy of Clever Crow Farm.