Originally named the “Warm Land” by the first nations peoples, the Cowichan region offers one of Canada’s finest climates.  With a truly unique combination of warmth and moisture encouraging lush plant growth, and soil rich enough to grow virtually any crop, it is easy to see the attraction to early farmers and forestry workers. Located in Canada’s only Maritime-Mediterranean climatic zone results in the warmest average year round temperature in all of Canada.  Seasons in the region are characterised by warm bright summers and mild winters.  Precipitation levels depend on what side of the island you make your home; along the east coast, where most of the communities are found, precipitation ranges between 35-45” per year, whereas the western communities receive about twice that amount.

Over the years the Cowichan valley has remained largely rural, its towns small, and its economy driven primarily by the agriculture and the forest industries. Newcomers to the agricultural field include smaller organic farms, farmers specialising in raising unusual animals and wild game, cheese factories, vineyards and cideries that produce an increasing variety of Island goods.