The Farmers Institute

A Community Organization

Rent a Venue

Our 3 fabulous halls, their out-buildings, and beautiful grounds offer endless possibilities for renters. Whatever your event, the Farmers Institute can meet your rental requirements at very reasonable rates!

Volunteer

Volunteering can bring a welcome addition to one's daily routine. It gives people an opportunity to meet new friends and try new things. The experience can be fun, challenging and rewarding. Importantly, volunteerism provides a chance for you to give back to the community you live in.

Cobble Hill Fair

The Cobble Hill Fair celebrates our past and cultivates our future. Our traditional Cobble  Hill Fair returned last year after hosting two years of virtual Fairs due to the Covid-19 pandemic and it was a welcome addition to our normal community activities.  Please join us again this year on Saturday, August 24th for the 115th edition of the Cobble Hill Fair.

4th Annual Show & Shine 2024

The 3rd Annual Show & Shine was a huge success with over 80 cars in on the field. On Saturday, July 20th 2024 from 8 am to 4 pm, we are hosting the 4th annual Cobble Hill Hall Show & Shine at 3550 Watson Avenue!

The Shawnigan Cobble Hill Farmers Institute and Agricultural Society (Farmers Institute) was incorporated by the province of BC on November 3, 1914. Every year the Farmers Institute hosts a variety of community events including:

  • Seedy Saturday
  • Easter Egg Hunt
  • Cobble Hill Show & Shine
  • Cobble Hill Fair
  • Halloween Community Bonfire

We are also home to our world famous pot pies, the South Cowichan Seniors luncheons, 4-H, Dog Obedience Classes, TOPS and so much more.

Seedy Saturday is an extremely popular event usually held on the second Saturday in March every year. Both the Stu Armour and Cobble Hill Halls are utilized during Seedy Saturday as well as outdoor space. Our halls are filled to overflow capacity with both seed and rare plant buyers and sellers alike. With over 2,000 people attending, this sold out event is always a huge success!

Staged for the little people in our community, the Easter Egg Hunt usually sees about 100 young people join us on the fair grounds for "the hunt". This popular event provides a great deal of pleasure for both young and old. Seeing the smiling faces is wonderful and some of the costumes are first-class!

The Cobble Hill Fair is our hallmark event. Begun in 1909 the Fair showcases all that is great about living in the South Cowichan area. Cobble Hill and the surrounding area was founded on the agricultural industry and we value our roots, our rural nature and our relaxed lifestyle. Every fair is alive with activity and entertainment for the whole family. It celebrates our past while cultivating our future.

Boy
Girl and lamb

President's Message

Welcome to the Cobble Hill Farmers Institute website. We invite you to explore our website to get a sense of who we are and what we value as part of the South Cowichan community.

As you browse through our website you will see we host many events and support several groups that help to make our community such a great place to live.

Roger Painter

Roger Painter

Welcome to the Farmers Institute at Cobble Hill

We welcome the participation of members of the community. Membership is important. Be informed, get involved and join us today!

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