Emma Lea Farms

What Is Emma Lea Farms?

Emma Lea Farms is a family farm on Westham Island in Delta, just outside Ladner, and it is one of the most relaxed farm outings in Metro Vancouver. Come in summer to pick your own berries, in August to wander through the sunflower fields, and in October for pumpkins. Any time the farm is open you can browse the farm market, grab a soft serve at the Ice Cream Shoppe and sit at a picnic table with the farm animals nearby.

A Family Farm Since 1885

The farm was bought by Joseph Tamboline in 1885, and it has stayed in the same family ever since. It is now run by the fifth generation, which makes it one of the oldest family farms in British Columbia. In 1994 the farm received the BC Century Farm and Ranch Award for a hundred years of operation. Over the decades it has grown from a berry farm into a mixed operation with vegetables, corn, pumpkins, free-range laying hens and a beef herd, plus a farm market and ice cream shop that welcome visitors.

U-Pick Berries at Emma Lea Farms

Berry picking is the farm's claim to fame. The season usually starts with strawberries in June, followed by raspberries around the start of July, then blueberries from July into early August. Specialty berries such as blackberries, tayberries, boysenberries and black currants can appear in July and August, depending on the weather. You can also buy berries already picked from the farm market if you would rather skip the fields.

Picking dates shift every year with the weather, so check the farm's website or social media before driving over. Bring a few clean containers, wear a hat and sunscreen, and go in the morning before the heat builds. Weekdays are quieter than weekends, especially at the ice cream counter.

Sunflower Fields in August

In August the farm opens U-pick sunflower fields, and it is a calmer alternative to the bigger sunflower festivals around the region. Walk the rows, choose your stems and take photos against rows of tall yellow blooms. There is also a rustic truck set up as a photo spot, which is a fun backdrop for family pictures. Sunflower timing depends on how the summer unfolds, so confirm the bloom with the farm before you go.

The Farm Market

The farm market is worth a stop even if you are not picking anything. Shelves and tables hold fresh seasonal produce, including farm-grown vegetables and sweet corn, along with berries, eggs, honey, jams and pickled vegetables, farm beef and baked goods such as pies. It is an easy place to pick up dinner ingredients on your way back to the city.

The Ice Cream Shoppe

The Ice Cream Shoppe is a separate building and a big part of the Emma Lea experience. The menu includes soft serve, sundaes, milkshakes, smoothies and scones, and in berry season many treats are made with fresh farm fruit. Lines can get long on hot weekends, so order early in the day or visit on a weekday, then take your treat to the picnic area.

Picnic Area and Farm Animals

Emma Lea Farms has a picnic area with tables, gazebos, a kids' climbing dome and vintage tractors, so it works well for a longer family stay. The farm is home to miniature donkeys, and kids love watching them. The grounds are large, flat and open, which suits strollers and little legs, and wagons are available for hauling berries or tired toddlers.

Fall at the Farm and Pumpkins

Each spring the farm plants a pumpkin crop, and in October it hosts its Fall at the Farm season. Families can pick pumpkins in the field, wander the grounds and stop for farm market treats. It is a smaller and quieter pumpkin patch than the big commercial ones, which many families prefer. Dates and activities change from year to year, so confirm them with the farm in early fall.

Getting to Emma Lea Farms

Emma Lea Farms is at 2727 Westham Island Road in Delta, on quiet Westham Island. From Vancouver, head south through the Massey Tunnel area toward Ladner, then follow the signs over the Westham Island Bridge and watch for the farm on Westham Island Road. The drive is about 30 minutes from Vancouver without traffic. The farm has plenty of on-site parking, but the busiest berry and sunflower days still fill up, so arrive early. Transit options to the island are limited, so plan on driving or carpooling.

Tips for Your Visit

• Check the farm's website or social media for what is in season before you go.
• Bring clean containers for picking, plus water, sunscreen and a hat in summer.
• Wear closed shoes you do not mind getting dusty or muddy, since fields can be wet.
• Carry some cash and a debit card, since payment options at U-pick check-in can be limited.
• Go on a weekday morning for the shortest lines and the coolest weather.
• Leave pets at home, since the farm is generally not pet friendly.
• Respect the fields: stay on the paths, pick only what you will take, and keep kids close to the animals' areas.

More to Do Near Emma Lea Farms

Westham Island is a good place to spend a half day. The George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary and the Westham Island Herb Farm are both a short drive away, and the nearby town of Ladner has cafes and shops. If you want another farm outing, see our guide to Richmond Country Farms, which also has a farm market and seasonal activities.

Emma Lea Farms FAQ