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 at Sundog Organic Farm who is passionate about the environment and farming! In 2021, Tishawni completed the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program, and below she tells us about her experience working in regenerative farming and the importance of getting back to our roots.
Tell us a bit about the farm.
We are Sundog Organic Farm, located northeast of Edmonton. We have 14 acres of land, and approximately 6-8 acres of cropland each season. Our farm is under a big transition into a no-till method, using permanent beds and deep mulch compost layers to grow our plants in. This is our 3rd year into the transition, and we have found a lot of success in growing in no-till beds. We produce much healthier, uniform, and robust vegetables. We also experience more moderation and resilience to environmental conditions, especially to extreme weather events such as heat waves and flooding.
What motivated you to be a farmer?
Getting outdoors, being able to enjoy my days surrounded by nature. I’ve worked at many places, but always inside and generally in big, gray cement buildings where you don’t see the sunlight. My initial interest in farming came from the fact that I’d be able to work outdoors!
What were some things that you worried about when you first started farming? How did you overcome these?
In the beginning, an intimidating factor about farming to me was the workload and the physical labor. When I first joined the farm, I received a lot of motivation from the people I worked with. We derive so much of our energy from the people we are surrounded by and those interpersonal relationships shape the workplace atmosphere. At Sundog Organic Farm, I believe that we all carry team motivations and share similar values and aspirations that makes being on the farm even more rewarding.
A small organic farm calls for a very physical workload, but our bodies are a lot more capable than we may think. As my boss Jenny would say, energy is always in abundance! Our bodies are strong and were designed to move, lift, kneel. For me, physical labor is beneficial to my lifestyle: it builds my strength for life and it keeps me healthy and active.
What do you think people should know about growing organics?
Organic food is grown in a regenerative way that supports the environment. Chemicals are a short-term solution, if anything. They do not support sustainable systems and food security. They do not support life in the environment or in the soil. Our soil health is suffering right now due to the overuse of chemicals in unsustainable, large-scale farming practices and the food we eat contains these chemicals as well. Unhealthy soil produces unhealthy food.
Organic does not always seem available, and I understand that. I would recommend that you make do with what you can: find sources close to you to buy organic produce, maybe from a neighbor or a local farmer. Experiment in growing your own food. Anything you can do to minimize chemical usage to support a healthier planet and a healthier you, is invaluable.
How do you promote healthy soil and ecosystems on your farm?
Our farm is implementing a method called no-till. Tilling is a common practice used throughout most agriculture. However, what we are realizing now is that soil is actually a living, breathing organism filled with microorganisms and fungi. An intricate life system exists right under our feet, and tilling is very disruptive to this life. This life is important: it’s the base of everything around us, and food cannot be grown well in a desert devoid of life. No-till mimics the natural environment of undisturbed soil.
We are also doing a deep-mulch compost with permanent beds that we plant into. Composted materials in the top layer build and nurture the healthy soil beneath it. It also moderates extreme weather conditions. When there is excess water, this live soil has cover and roots, the soil structure allows proper drainage, and water does not puddle or run-off. In extreme heat conditions, the ground is covered and does not dry up so quickly. It has stored water reserves in the soil structure and this protects the moisture and the temperatures of the soil. Healthy soil promotes growth, plants, organisms—the ecosystem!
What’s surprised you along your farming journey?
Before I was a farmer, I thought that farming looked like a very isolated job. However, I found out I was far from the truth! I’ve had the chance to meet so many wonderful folks, especially through programs like the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program. And local food means a very close customer base. At the end of each week I get to work on the final process that our products go through, which is selling them from our tables and sending them home with our customers. I make connections through our food which is a really cool experience. The food we grow, being taken home and feeding so many people and their families.
What do you want people to know about becoming a farmer?
Farming is a line of work where you can really curate and create your own job. You find your passion and invest your time, effort and resources, and you can find success. Every job has its challenges, and in farming resilience is important. I want to share that it is possible, and there is a large community of like-minded folks out there. If this is what you wish to do, if you are even a bit intrigued to delve into growing food or raising food, start searching and you will find a community.
I love my current job: I have learned so much and developed many skills that have enriched my career and life.
To learn more about the Sundog Organic Farm check out their website https://www.sundogorganicfarm.ca/ or their Facebook.
Check out the other stories in this series