Blog Category: Farmer Profiles

LAND ACCESS STORIES: Local Roots Farm Market – Squamish, BC

Posted by Kat Roger on March 11, 2024

ABOUT LOCAL ROOTS FARM MARKET Local Roots Farm Market is a plant nursery, educational centre and local farm market in Squamish, B.C. Leasing sibling farmers Rebecca and Nick Bolkowy were matched to 0.5 acres of land through the B.C. Land Matching Program in March of 2022 and have been serving their local food community ever since. Local Roots has a plethora of offerings, whether it’s their nursery full of local, native and perennial plants, carefully selected ornamentals and hybrids or the beloved heirloom tomatoes that have sparked Rebecca and Nick’s devoted following for over a decade. Local Roots also supplies … Continue reading LAND ACCESS STORIES: Local Roots Farm Market – Squamish, BC →

LAND ACCESS STORIES: Rake and Radish Farm – Saanich, BC

Posted by Kat Roger on March 11, 2024

ABOUT RAKE & RADISH FARM Rake and Radish Farm is a small-scale ecological veggie, flower and berry farm on unceded lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ territories (Saanich, BC). Leasing farmer Ardeo Mann (they/them) was matched to this land through the B.C. Land Matching Program in 2020 and has been offering gorgeous produce, education and safe(r) spaces for their communities ever since. Ardeo runs Rake and Radish Farm to serve human, plant and pollinator communities using ecological practices. Ardeo’s mission at Rake and Radish is to “grow vegetables in an environmentally, financially and emotionally sustainable manner and ensure they are reaching a diverse … Continue reading LAND ACCESS STORIES: Rake and Radish Farm – Saanich, BC →

Land Access Stories: Yellow Boot Farm – Black Creek, BC

Posted by Kat Roger on February 05, 2024

Yellow Boot Farm is a regenerative diversified vegetable farm in Black Creek, BC. Leasing farmer Jaclyn Kirby was matched to ¼ acre of land through the B.C. Land Matching Program in September of 2021, and Yellow Boot Farm is now entering its third season on the land. Jaclyn and her family use regenerative practices to grow vegetables for the Comox Valley Farmers Market and Yellow Boot’s farm stand and a seasonal CSA, in addition to supplying peppers for hot sauce companies and produce for restaurants through the LUSH Valley Food Action Society. Jaclyn sources seeds for Yellow Boot’s 42+ varieties … Continue reading Land Access Stories: Yellow Boot Farm – Black Creek, BC →

Celebrating Black History Month: 8 Contributions of Black Farmers to Regenerative Agriculture

Posted by Michalina Hunter on February 01, 2024 6 Comments

Photo via Grist As an organization that works to increase access to land for new and young farmers, we deeply acknowledge the racism and inequality within our food systems. Farming in North America takes place on the stolen lands of Indigenous peoples, and is built on the enslavement and exploitation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC). Check out the documentaries We Are the Roots and Secret Alberta: The Former Life of Amber Valley to learn more. For agriculture to be truly regenerative, as a society, we must address the embedded racism that permeates our communities and institutions. Major contributions … Continue reading Celebrating Black History Month: 8 Contributions of Black Farmers to Regenerative Agriculture →

YA Apprenticeship 2024: Kelowna, BC – Helen’s Acres Community Farm

Posted by Marsha Shack on January 29, 2024

Are you a young, aspiring farmer curious to learn how to grow lots of vegetables for donation to local organizations in the Central Okanagan? Helen’s Acres Community Farm may be the apprenticeship for you. About the Farm Helen’s Acres is part of the Trinity Legacy Foundation, a registered charity that grows vegetables on a 24 acre farm, exclusively for donation to local agencies to help fight food insecurity across the central Okanagan. Our crops are selected based on the needs of the community, and generally fall into two main categories: Easily recognized produce with a longer shelf life (ie. potatoes, … Continue reading YA Apprenticeship 2024: Kelowna, BC – Helen’s Acres Community Farm →

YA Apprenticeship 2024: Kispiox Valley, BC – WoodGrain Farm

Posted by Marsha Shack on January 29, 2024

Are you a young, aspiring farmer curious to learn about seed saving, Co-ops, veggies and cows in beautiful Kispiox Valley, British Columbia? WoodGrain Farm may be the apprenticeship for you. About the Farm We are a small-scale diverse organic farm in the Kispiox Valley, northwest BC. This land that we steward, and the communities who we grow food for, lie within the homelands of the Gitx̱san and Wet’suwet’en peoples. We take to heart our responsibility to nurture and respect these lands and waters, so they may continue to provide for future generations as they have always done. Using a traditional … Continue reading YA Apprenticeship 2024: Kispiox Valley, BC – WoodGrain Farm →

YA Apprenticeship 2024: Duncan, BC – Lila’s Music Farm

Posted by Marsha Shack on January 23, 2024

Are you a young, aspiring farmer interested in weaving together your passion for growing food, playing music and building community on Vancouver Island? Lila’s Music Farm may be the apprenticeship for you. About the Farm Lila Music Farm is a permaculture farm, music school, Nature Connection school, and hub for community. The 3 acre lot is filled with lots of fruit trees, herbs, veggies and medicinal plants. There are chickens for eggs and meat that are integrated into the orchard systems. There are a variety of folks living on the farm, including children and furry friends. This place is a … Continue reading YA Apprenticeship 2024: Duncan, BC – Lila’s Music Farm →

YA Apprenticeship 2024: Terrace, BC – Farmer Cam’s Foods

Posted by Marsha Shack on January 23, 2024

Are you a young, aspiring farmer interested in learning about producing greens, root crops, fruiting crops, and micro greens in beautiful North West British Columbia? Farmer Cam’s Foods may be the apprenticeship for you. About the Farm In the fertile soils of the Skeena River Valley, Farmer Cam’s Foods (FCF) grows vegetables and distributes them in Terrace, BC. Owned and managed by Cameron Bell on rented land, the business uses regenerative practices to grow almost 30 different crops including greens, root crops, fruiting crops, and microgreens. Our production methods include outdoor fields, unheated high tunnels, a greenhouse, and an insulated … Continue reading YA Apprenticeship 2024: Terrace, BC – Farmer Cam’s Foods →

How to Build a Farmers Institute: South Island Farmers Come Together

Posted by Kat Roger on January 19, 2024

Formally established just this fall, the South Island Farmers’ Institute (SIFI) represents the efforts of founding members Katie Underwood, Shellie MacDonald, Robin Tunnicliffe, Sol Kinnis, Derek Powell and Christine Fuller, in addition to South Island agrologist Megan Halstead and a whole host of passionate farmers and farmer-allies across the Island. Young Agrarians is thrilled to see a new Farmers’ Institute emerge for the island as a way for farmers to connect with each other and support agriculture in their regions. In September of 2023, we got on the phone with SIFI founder, Katie Underwood of Peas n’ Carrots Farm, to learn … Continue reading How to Build a Farmers Institute: South Island Farmers Come Together →

YA Apprenticeship 2024: Victoria, BC – City’s Edge Farm

Posted by Marsha Shack on January 17, 2024

Are you a young, aspiring farmer interested in learning about producing over 40 varieties of vegetables, herbs, berries, and cut flowers for Community Support Agriculture? City’s Edge Farm may be the apprenticeship for you. About the Farm City’s Edge Farm is a mixed-vegetable farm, producing over 40 varieties of vegetables, herbs, berries, and cut flowers, primarily for CSA. We are dedicated to continually learning how best to nurture the land, capture carbon as we build up the soil, and create a healthy agro-ecosystem that can be resilient in the face of so many challenges to come. The farm has been … Continue reading YA Apprenticeship 2024: Victoria, BC – City’s Edge Farm →