In January 1999, Clarke and Nancy Gourlay returned from Switzerland where they had been living for several years. Inspired by the magnificent Swiss cheeses, they set out to learn and practice the ancient and noble art of cheesemaking. The cool moist climate in the shadow of Vancouver Island’s Mt. Arrowsmith proved to be ideal for grazing cows and ripening artisan cheeses, and Little Qualicum Cheeseworks was born.
They began milking cows and making cheese in 2001 and three years later settled on beautiful Morningstar Farm. The farm now serves as a local-food hub and premier agri-food destination for both tourists and locals. Clarke and Nancy love sharing the farm with the public, as it allows them to show people where their food comes from, how it’s produced, and why that matters.
Today they are milking a mixed herd of about 50 Holstein, Brown Swiss, and other European dairy cows. 100% of their milk is turned into cheese right on the farm. They take animal welfare very seriously and are the first dairy farm in British Columbia to be certified by the SPCA.
