New farmer, young farmer, northern farmer, and hero farmer, Andrew Adams was kind enough to take some of his time to tell the Young Agrarians about his personal experiences with farming and life . Andrew, along with his wife Janie operate Hope Farm, which is located about 45 minutes outside Prince George. Hope Farm provides a wide variety of delicious natural foods to the community of Prince George and the surrounding area. They supply the community with locally famous Berkshire pork, duck, eggs, and seasonal garden produce. Hope Farm offers their products through a variety of outlets including restaurants, grocery stores, and direct to consumers. Here are some of his experiences and personal pictures:
Name? Andrew Adams
Where you farm? Newlands, BC
Favourite vegetable or fruit to grow in summer? Hmmmm the one that tastes good.
What is your favourite vegetable to grow in the winter? Sprouts.
What is your favourite way to cook …. ? From scratch. Real food takes sweat and love.
How did you get into farming?
I was raised on a small farm in Kansas, and then got a degree in Agriculture. Though my degree was toward the science end of things and mainly dealing with managing national parks. After moving to the north and a large city I realized there is a real disconnect from the food system and our food security is in serious need of work.
What type of farm model do you work? (Community Farm, Farm Co-op, Business, Bio-Dynamic, Organic / transitional or certified)
We are becoming certified organic and use the bio-dynamic method.
What appeals to you most about the land that you farm?
The sound of nature, the connectedness that one receives from living off the land, the smells, sounds….Basically everything.
What was the first thing you remember ever planting?
Jalepenos when I was about 8 years old. I planted them in our front yard. They became huge and I was picking them every week. I didn’t like Jalepenos until I grew them that year.
Describe the feeling you had when you were harvesting your first crop?
Shear joy at the miracle that is planting a seed and having it feed you. It was …. like watching a miracle happen before my eyes.
How did you get into farming – seriously?
After being disconnected from my family farm when I moved north I began backyard farming with a flock of ducks and a garden. This made me want to get back to my roots in a big way . So I bought land and started to make it happen. At first I wanted to raise a pig for myself then a few other people wanted me to raise one for them as well… I guess you could say I planted my roots back into agriculture.
What did it feel like when you bought your land or acquired your farm?
Terrifying yet liberating.
What farming tool could you not live without? My hands.
What farming tool do you wish you had? Tractor.
If you had a farming super power what would it be? The ability to predict the weather.
If you weren’t a farmer what would you be? Ummmm nope I would be a farmer.
What have you had to sacrifice the most to farm?
Friends, social gatherings are almost non-existent now. But the calling to provide good food for the masses is more important than the social scene. Without out food we cease to exist.
What is your least favourite farmer related stereotype?
Not sure I pay much attention to sterotypes for farmers. I come from an area chalked full of farmers and it is a deeply admired profession.
What / who inspires you to farm? The future.
What is the biggest challenge that you think young farmers in B.C. face?
Acquiring land at a decent price.
What do you think the future of farming in B.C. is?
I still don’t have my super power yet so I can’t speak of the future of farming either. Though I believe there is a movement happening and people are waking up to the understanding that we need more local small farms.
What motivates you?
Dreams/goals… which are what wakes me up the in the morning.
