Blog Category: Guides

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 →

How To Start Farming In Manitoba

Posted by Lourdes Still on February 26, 2024

A starter kit for those wondering how to start farming in Manitoba. Young Agrarians (YA) is a farmer to farmer educational resource network for new and young ecological, organic and regenerative farmers in Canada. Read more about us here. Young Agrarians recognizes the unresolved Indigenous land title and rights in the diverse territories in what is today called Canada. As we live and work in the context of and in response to a colonial system of laws and policies, it is important to acknowledge the historical and ongoing impact of agriculture and land enclosure on Indigenous lands and food systems. In … Continue reading How To Start Farming In Manitoba →

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 →

How To Start Farming In Saskatchewan

Posted by Lourdes Still on January 29, 2024

A starter kit for those wondering how to start farming in Saskatchewan. Young Agrarians (YA) is a farmer to farmer educational resource network for new and young ecological, organic and regenerative farmers in Canada. Read more about us here. Young Agrarians recognizes the unresolved Indigenous land title and rights in the diverse territories in what is today called Canada. As we live and work in the context of and in response to a colonial system of laws and policies, it is important to acknowledge the historical and ongoing impact of agriculture and land enclosure on Indigenous lands and food systems. In … Continue reading How To Start Farming In Saskatchewan →

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 →

How to Choose Your Farm Marketing Channels: A Discussion with Established Farmers

Posted by Andrew Adams on December 20, 2023

SHE SELLS SEASHELLS BY THE SEASHORE. WHERE DO YOU SELL YOURS? Every new farmer is faced with the question: Where will I sell my products? There are many different sales models to consider – here, we offer wisdom from veteran farmers across B.C. on how to determine what kind of marketing approach might work best for you. Farmer, Know Thyself: matching your marketing strategy to your lifestyle Knowing who you are as a person, what you can handle and where your values sit is imperative to choosing your marketing channel. Our number one tip: getting hands-on farm experience and seeing … Continue reading How to Choose Your Farm Marketing Channels: A Discussion with Established Farmers →

Land Access Stories: Aura Rosa Florals – Squamish, BC

Posted by Kat Roger on December 14, 2023

Aura Rosa Florals is a micro cut flower farm and design studio in Squamish, BC that specializes in unique, seasonal, and local floral designs. Leasing farmer Amanda Bagliore was matched to 0.5 acres of land through the B.C. Land Matching Program in March of 2022, where she grows flowers for herself, the land and flower-lovers in Squamish and throughout B.C. Aura Rosa Florals is committed to local production, regenerative farming practices and crafting offerings full of magic, love and joy. Flowers from Aura Rosa Florals are available through weekly CSA bouquets, weekly designer floral arrangements, and custom event and wedding … Continue reading Land Access Stories: Aura Rosa Florals – Squamish, BC →

Forrest Farm: the Path to a Successful Micro-Dairy

Posted by Kat Roger on September 21, 2023

ABOUT FORREST FARM Eight years ago, Amanda and Ewan Forrest launched their dream of making beautiful, lovingly-crafted cheese in Salmo, B.C. Like everything else on Forrest Farm, Amanda and Ewan’s cheese is hand-made and mindfully packaged with minimal plastic and gorgeous presentation in mind. They make several varieties of sheep and goat cheese, featuring a fantastic Chevre, the classic lactic goat cheese. Each cheese has a unique shape and size to bring out its best flavour characteristics and stays true to the traditional European-style artisanal cheese.  With the launch of the dairy operation to the delight of local consumers, Amanda … Continue reading Forrest Farm: the Path to a Successful Micro-Dairy →

Soil Testing: How to Interpret Results and Calculate Fertilizer Needs

Posted by Andrew Adams on February 23, 2023

One fundamental piece of agriculture is the soil. Soil, being composed of billions of organisms with their complex relationships and nutrient exchanges. It can be a bit overwhelming to understand it all and nor do I claim to. At a minimum, basic understanding of some of the relationships and nutrient exchanges is however, a critical piece in any agricultural endeavor.  Wondering how to achieve optimal soil health? Read on to learn more about how to sample, test, and interpret soil tests for your farm. If the law of conservation of mass and energy holds to be true, then we can … Continue reading Soil Testing: How to Interpret Results and Calculate Fertilizer Needs →

Could have should have would have: Three things farmers wish they would have known when they started.

Posted by Andrew Adams on February 10, 2023

Could have should have would have Hindsight is always 20:20 right? You never know what you should know until you’ve crossed the river of learning and experience. Most of us learn by trial and error and in fact it’s often one of the best teachers as you learn both sides of the coin.  When we began farming in 2010 and then started our own farm in 2011, I was  27.  I had grown up in rural Kansas with a family hobby farm, a BSc in Agricultural Sciences, and worked as a forest ecologist. With my experience and education I thought … Continue reading Could have should have would have: Three things farmers wish they would have known when they started. →