Our Story
A bit about us…
We are Matthew and Selena Lawrence, the husband-and-wife team behind Forest Valley Acres. What began as a dream to raise our family on a farm, surrounded by nature, grounded in hard work, and connected to something meaningful, has grown into a thriving hydroponic operation rooted in sustainability and community.
Neither of us came from a farming background. Before we built our greenhouse, Matthew worked as a Red Seal carpenter and welding inspector, and Selena was a personal trainer born and raised in the Comox Valley. We both shared a deep appreciation for fresh, local food and a desire to create a sustainable future for our family and our community. In 2022, after a lot of research, planning, and a leap of faith, we put our dream into action and began building a hydroponic farm from the ground up.
With Matthew’s carpentry expertise and the hands-on help of his father, we built our greenhouse on five acres of land using innovative hydroponic systems to grow fresh, chemical-free lettuce and herbs year-round. Matthew serves as the master grower, managing operations, researching growing techniques, and handling the daily work in the greenhouse. Selena oversees marketing and also contributes hands-on in the greenhouse. Forest Valley Acres is truly a family-run farm, with every member playing a role. Our children, Matthew’s parents, and Selena’s parents have all supported the farm in meaningful ways and continue to be a vital part of our journey. Together, we have built something rooted in dedication, sustainability, and a shared love of growing food that nourishes our community.
When you buy our lettuce, you are not just getting fresh, local produce; you are supporting a family farm committed to bringing healthy, sustainable food to Vancouver Island. We are so grateful to be part of this community and excited to keep growing with you.
Our Values
At Forest Valley Acres, our values are grounded in family, sustainability, and the desire to grow something meaningful, not just for ourselves but for our entire community. When we started this journey, it was about building a farm where we could raise our children with the values we hold close: hard work, endurance, and a deep respect for the land. Over time, that personal dream evolved into a bigger purpose—to provide high-quality, sustainably grown food to families across Vancouver Island.
We are proud to grow all of our lettuce and herbs hydroponically, without the use of pesticides or herbicides. By using a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) in our greenhouse, we can produce fresh greens year-round while using up to 95% less water and significantly less land than traditional farming methods. Every crop is carefully tended, harvested with the root ball intact to preserve freshness, and delivered in its most natural, nutrient-rich form.
Our mission is to provide our community with produce that not only tastes good but also supports a healthier, more sustainable way of living. We believe that food should be clean, local, and accessible, and that farms, regardless of size, have a role to play in protecting our environment and strengthening food security. Looking ahead, our vision is to become a trusted name in local agriculture, known for our commitment to quality, innovation, and community connection. We hope to inspire others to support sustainable food systems and to show that with hard work, care, and a bit of courage, it is possible to turn a family dream into something that feeds a greater good.
Growing with Purpose
At Forest Valley Acres, our farm is more than just a business. It is a labour of love, built from the ground up with sustainability, quality, and community in mind. Watch our story to see how we turned a dream into a thriving hydroponic farm, bringing fresh, local produce to communities on Vancouver Island year-round.
Thank you to Mat at Hometown Creative for capturing our brand story.
Press
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Forest Valley Acres was featured in Country Life in BC, highlighting how founders Matthew and Selena Lawrence are using hydroponic farming to build a sustainable future in the Comox Valley. With no traditional farming background, the couple transformed their vision into a thriving operation that grows fresh lettuce and herbs year-round using a high-efficiency greenhouse and nutrient film technique. Their story showcases innovation, determination, and a commitment to local food security.
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AmHydro’s “Humans of Hydroponics” series features Matt and Selena Lawrence of Forest Valley Acres, sharing their inspiring journey from dreamers to full-time hydroponic farmers. The interview dives into their decision to pursue sustainable agriculture, the challenges of building a farm from scratch, and their passion for providing clean, local produce to their Vancouver Island community.
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Featured in the BC Farmers’ Market Trail’s Hatch & Hype series, Forest Valley Acres shares how Matt and Selena Lawrence transitioned from carpentry and personal training to cultivating fresh, sustainable produce through hydroponic farming. The article explores their passion for building a family farm, the learning curve of starting from scratch, and their commitment to providing high-quality greens to farmers’ markets across Vancouver Island.
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In their Canvas Rebel feature, Selena and Matthew Lawrence open up about their journey to launching Forest Valley Acres, the values that guide their farm, and the lessons they’ve learned as entrepreneurs. From embracing sustainable practices to balancing family life with running a business, the interview highlights their passion for community, resilience, and growing with purpose.
Accreditations
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![CanadaGAP certification logo with maple leaf in background]()
Canada GAP Food Safe Certified
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![BC Farmers' Markets logo with apple, plant, and chickens.]()
Members of the BC Farmer's Market Association
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BC Vegetable Marketing Commission
Class 1 Producers License
Why Hydroponics?
We chose hydroponics because it is a sustainable, efficient way to grow fresh food year-round. It was a choice that felt both meaningful and necessary. Using up to 95% less water and significantly less land than traditional farming, hydroponics allows us to grow clean, high-quality greens in every season. After months of research, we built a 3,000-square-foot greenhouse equipped with a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system, and by June 2023, we were harvesting our first crops. Since then, we have been proudly growing and delivering fresh, local produce to our community with a focus on sustainability and care.
FAQ
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You can find our lettuce and herbs at several farmers’ markets, local grocers, and specialty stores on Vancouver Island. Visit our Find Us page for a full list of locations.
[Currently Closed] Our farmstand is open seasonally Monday to Friday from 10am to 7am and is located at 5881 Pickering Road, Courtenay, BC. -
Keeping lettuce sealed up in the fridge while keeping the root ball moist will promote optimal longevity. We recommend keeping it in a sealed Tupperware container or in a breathable bag in the crisper drawer.
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With our farm-to-table in 24-hours business model, your lettuce will have a significantly longer shelf life. Our lettuce has the root ball attached, so it will stay fresh significantly longer than traditional store-bought lettuce.
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Yes, we supply fresh lettuce to local restaurants, catering businesses, and food service providers. If you’re interested in a partnership, please reach out via our Contact Page for more information. Please note, there is a limited quantity and seasonal availability applies. Please reach out for more information.
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Hydroponic farming is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead, plants are placed in channels with a running, nutrient-rich water solution that provides everything they need to grow. Water is then collected and recycled; therefore, this method uses significantly less water and land compared to traditional farming while producing fresh, high-quality greens year-round.
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Our hydroponic lettuce is grown in a controlled environment without soil, meaning it is free from pesticides, herbicides, and contaminants often found in traditional farming.
Because we harvest with the root ball attached, our lettuce stays fresher longer, maintaining its crisp texture, nutrient density, and incredible flavour.
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Our lettuce and herbs are grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides. Though we are not “certified organic,” we prioritize sustainable and environmentally friendly growing practices.