All posts by Jordan Marr

March 8/9 Farmer Mixer With Jean-Martin Fortier: Delicious

Posted by Jordan Marr on March 09, 2014

Having just returned from the Young Agrarians mixer in Kelowna that took place this weekend, let me warn any of those aspiring or current market gardeners still on the (deer) fence about attending upcoming events in the Kootenays, Vancouver Island, and elsewhere: you don’t want to miss out on what Jean-Martin has in store for you.  Preceding today’s all-day presentation from JM, I had read his new book. I had interviewed him too–for an hour, for my podcast. Yet what he delivered today was far from redundant. His 5+ hour session is crammed with the photos and elaborations that are … Continue reading March 8/9 Farmer Mixer With Jean-Martin Fortier: Delicious →

Audio: Maintaining Healthy Farm Business Partnerships and a Farmland Cooperative Done Well

Posted by Jordan Marr on February 27, 2014

This episode features part one of my conversation with veggie grower Chris Bodnar of Close to Home Organics in Abbotsford, BC. In this segment, Chris tells me about his background, his partnership with another farmer when he first started out, and about the cooperatively-owned farm on which he works and lives.

SOIL Apprenticeships 3-Pack: Three Great Farms Offering Apprenticeship Experiences This Season

Posted by Jordan Marr on February 02, 2014 2 Comments

SOIL Apprenticeships links Canadian farmers willing to take on and train apprentices with people wanting to work and learn on an organic farm using sustainable practices. Our site cooperates with 75 farms across the country, including the three awesome ones featured in this post.

YA Potluck: The Homestead Farm in Peachland Sunday June 2

Posted by Jordan Marr on May 13, 2013

Young Farmies: The Homestead Organic Farm in Peachland is finally getting around to hosting a potluck. You are invited. Sunday June 2. Say, 5:30 pm for the tour, 6:30 for dinner? Directions at thehomesteadorganicfarm.ca. If you’re coming, please let us know! You can use this handy form at our website to do so. No bringing salad greens for your dish. You’re better than that. Hope to see you there!

Gardening writer Steve Solomon on Intelligent Gardening

Posted by Jordan Marr on March 12, 2013

I recently had Steve Solomon on The Ruminant Podcast. The man has been growing veggies for eating and seed for over forty years; he has a lot to say that young farmers can benefit from. Part one of our conversation just went up: In this long-form interview,  we discuss his new book, The Intelligent Gardener, which he co-wrote with Erica Reinheimer. I read the book a month ago. It’s really good. In it, Steve argues that the key to growing healthy crops is to combine the return of organic matter to the soil with a practice called remineralization, which involves assessing the … Continue reading Gardening writer Steve Solomon on Intelligent Gardening →

Farm-Community Seeks Support and Young Farmers!

Posted by Jordan Marr on February 21, 2013 1 Comment

In the last few months a group of people on Southern Vancouver Island have come together and bid on a beautiful, heritage farm property in Sooke. Their vision: an intentional community and a number of farming opportunities for both residents of the property and satellite farmers on the 50 acres or so that are ready to farm. The bid was accepted, so now they need to raise the money! If you’re interested in supporting them or in farming there, check them out at their fundraising page.