Essays and Opinions

This is the second of a four-part series of farmer interviews conducted by students in a Community Service Learning course at the University of Alberta. Nayeon Kim interviewed Fern of Fern’s Flower Garden, and wrote this heartfelt blog post. We’re delighted to share these farmer stories with you! Fern says she wasn’t born with a

To You, Citizens and Politicians, The following text is a cry from the heart of an organic market gardener who has seen several of her colleagues fall in battle. It is also the report of a sociologist who, over the past 15 years, has observed a major trend in our agriculture. Farmland changes vocation almost

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).

This is the first of a four-part series of farmer interviews conducted by students in a Community Service Learning course at the University of Alberta. Nayeon Kim interviewed Tishawni Ellery of Sundog Organic Farm, and wrote this heartfelt blog post. We’re delighted to share these farmer stories with you! Tishawni Ellery is an up-and-coming farmer

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

Michelle Dubios is one of the apprentices who joined the 2023 cohort of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program (YAAP) on the Prairies. YAAP is a full immersion initiative that pairs aspiring farmers with host farms to gain skills and knowledge on how to manage their own farms someday. Michelle’s host farm @triplelyonessfarm is near Westlock,

There was a moment at a Young Agrarians farm potluck many moons ago, where I felt in my gut, “I think these are my people.” Maybe it was the unabashed way folks were chowing down on food, or the laugh lines etched into tired suntanned faces. My guess, though, is that I felt like I

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

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

It’s the deep of winter and many of us farmers are finalizing crop plans. We’re also looking at our labour needs on our farm for the season, so I thought I would share thoughts and tips for addressing your labour needs on your farm.  We’ve yet to enter the age of the Jetsons, though we