All posts by Laura Hannant

September 13: Creston Valley Tour de Farm, Creston BC

Posted by Laura Hannant on September 01, 2015 3 Comments

Creston Valley Tour de Farm is back on track! The day long cycling tour of 5 of our local farms has been rescheduled for September 13th. Hopefully the weather will have cooled a bit by then! For all those who had already purchased tickets, if you can’t attend on September 13, please contact Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Centre to arrange a refund by calling 1-866-528-4342. For those wishing to see a non-bike option, keep your fingers crossed. We will do our best to organize an alternative in the meantime! Get your bicycles tuned-up and your picnic baskets … Continue reading September 13: Creston Valley Tour de Farm, Creston BC →

Kootenays: Crooked Horn Farm 2015 Internship

Posted by Laura Hannant on February 25, 2015

Learn the ins and outs of market gardening and small-scale farming and experience a stellar Kootenay summer! Crooked Horn Farm has an opportunity for 1 or 2 interns, preferably a couple, for the 2015 season, beginning mid-April until the end of October. This is a hands-on learning experience where you will gain skills in all aspects of our market gardening business, as well as various homesteading skills (canning, preserving, etc). We are a certified organic and veganic (no animal husbandry, plant-based fertility) vegetable and specialty mushroom farm located in Winlaw in the Slocan Valley, 45 km from Nelson BC. We … Continue reading Kootenays: Crooked Horn Farm 2015 Internship →

Corky Evans on Land Access for a New Generation

Posted by Laura Hannant on February 01, 2015 4 Comments

Preface… “Farming is a profession of hope.” Brian Brett Over the last few weeks Young Agrarians and West Kootenay Permaculture Co-op have been working hard preparing for upcoming land-themed events in the Koots. (Learn about the events here.) Everyone involved is earnest about seeing that the events really serve the needs of local farmers, aspiring farmers, and eaters of all ages. Last Friday, WKPC coordinator Shauna Teare sent an email our way that helped put this work into perspective. Attached were reflections from Kootenay agrarian elder Corky Evans on ensuring land access for coming generations of farmers. The piece, which … Continue reading Corky Evans on Land Access for a New Generation →

Growing Kootenay Farmers – February 2015 Events

Posted by Laura Hannant on January 21, 2015 1 Comment

Hey Kootenay farmers and farm-curious folks! Here in the Creston Valley the robins are hanging around, our Stellar Seeds order is going in, and we’re pretty sure that spring is near. While winter hangs on, it feels like we should be do some indoor gathering – shared learning and dreaming for the season ahead! So, here’s what we’ve got lined up for a fun February… 1. Land Linking Session and Farmer Social – Slocan Valley When: Thursday, February 12, 1pm – 9pm Where: Vallican Whole Community Centre, 3762 Little Slocan South Road, Vallican, BC V0G 2J0 Please RSVP:  brownpapertickets.com/event/1152077 Join us … Continue reading Growing Kootenay Farmers – February 2015 Events →

Kootenays: Hoe Down Apprenticeship!

Posted by Laura Hannant on January 12, 2015

Hoe Down CSA at Tulaberry Farm is a small organic vegetable operation within a larger family farm in the Slocan Valley. We grow a wide variety of vegetables and herbs and market them through a CSA program and farmer’s market in Nelson. We are looking for an apprentice for the 2015 season! I’m Kate Rustmeyer – Hoe Down farmer. I have a background in liberal arts and community healthcare, but my real passion is growing and sharing food.  I got my start in the agricultural world through a CRAFT internship in Ontario, where I fell in love with farm life. … Continue reading Kootenays: Hoe Down Apprenticeship! →

Science says… Farm the Kootenays!!!

Posted by Laura Hannant on November 20, 2014 1 Comment

Jumping on the opportunity to research farmland in the West Kootenay By Rachael Roussin, UBC Master of Land and Water Systems Rachael Roussin is a passionate food systems advocate, a Rossland REAL Food co-founder, and a former Rossland Mountain Farmers’ Market manager.  As a UBC Master of Land and Water Systems student, Rachael jumped on the chance to explore West Kootenay food systems issues.  Her research into the region’s agricultural potential offers a unique perspective on realizing untapped capacity for local food production. I am a true believer in the value that increased local agricultural offers to our communities, economy … Continue reading Science says… Farm the Kootenays!!! →

APPLY NOW: Goatherd Skibum in the hills of Rossland, BC

Posted by Laura Hannant on October 03, 2014 3 Comments

Do you want experience running a small herd of dairy goats and raising a large flock of laying hens, ducks, and geese? Do you also love snow and shredding endless acres of steep-tree pow? Is the postcard-perfect town of Rossland, BC, your idea of a great place to spend the winter? Moon Gravity Farm may be the place for you! We’re looking for an intern to take the reins in December, 2014, until the beginning of April, with amazing Red Mountain only five minutes away. We’ll trade morning chores before the hill opens plus an evening check-up after the hill … Continue reading APPLY NOW: Goatherd Skibum in the hills of Rossland, BC →

Kootenay YA Dispatch: Willow Springs

Posted by Laura Hannant on August 07, 2014

On July 26, YA and Willow Springs Organic Farm co-hosted a (stellar) farm tour and potluck. I first meet farmer Willy Fuder about a year ago, working on a small-scale agriculture education project.  After hearing about the project, Willy reaches out.  He wants in on helping to equip and support new farmers.  Five years into his own farm journey, he is bursting to share his knowledge and experience with others.  From the first, his passion for growing synergy among our region’s food system builders is plain.  A year later, working with YA, I cross my fingers that Willy will be … Continue reading Kootenay YA Dispatch: Willow Springs →

September 7: Creston Valley Tour de Farm!

Posted by Laura Hannant on August 06, 2014

Get your bicycles tune-up and your picnic baskets stocked-up, it’s time for the first-ever, hopefully-annual Creston Valley Tour de Farm! What: We will meet in downtown Creston and take off for a day of exploring farms in the southern half of the Valley.  Our mission is to showcase the Creston Valley’s agricultural diversity.  Stops along the 26km route will include: a dairy and fromagerie, a small-scale grain farm, a market garden, an orchard, a small-scale greenhouse and livestock farm, and (fingers crossed) a vineyard and winery! When: Sunday, September 7th, 10:00am to 4:00pm (depending on biking speed) Where: Meet at the Creston … Continue reading September 7: Creston Valley Tour de Farm! →

August 24: The Pig Out at Edible Acres!

Posted by Laura Hannant on August 04, 2014

What: The Pig Out is how the folks at Edible Acres in Winderberry offer up a taste of their farm and the Columbia Valley.  It’s a taste adventure that you don’t want to miss out on… chefs from the region serve up a bounty of local foods, beer and wine are on hand for thirst quenching, local bands play, and it all happens in the gorgeous outdoors – so you can wander through fields of veggies and flowers as you eat! Bonus, Young Agrarians will be set up with a booth.  Drop by for a chat. Why: The Pig Out … Continue reading August 24: The Pig Out at Edible Acres! →