Young Agrarians is celebrating the ninth year of the Business Mentorship Network (BMN) program in BC and the expansion of the program across the Prairies! The BMN offers business mentorships to a diverse array of new and young farmers. Through one-on-one mentorship, peer networks and online workshops young farmers develop the skills necessary to operate ecologically sustainable and financially viable farm businesses.
Applications open for Mentees across Western Canada in October 2023. Mentor applications are accepted year-round. Check out the Business Mentorship Network page for more information!
Want to learn more about our Mentees (or Mentors)? Below you’ll find a Q&A where you can learn all about their farm and why they joined the Business Mentorship Network. If you’d like to read about the experiences of other Mentees/Mentors, head to our blog here.
Meet a Mentee: Gathered and Grown Family Farm
Hi there, my name is Suzanne Bergeron and our farm is called Gathered and Grown Family Farm. We are located in Treaty 6 Territory on the north west side of Gull Lake, near the town of Rimbey, Alberta. We have a market garden, a few beehives, a flock of laying hens, pasture pigs, and most notably, are expanding into Agro-tourism this summer.
My mentor this year is Tam Andersen from Prairie Garden and Adventure Farm, located north of Edmonton Alberta.
What inspired you to get into farming?
In my early 20’s I fell in love with bees. I am not exactly sure what prompted my interest but it led me to a deep dive into all things bees and pollinators. It sparked in me a deep passion to connect with the food that I ate and the environment that produced it. Being a twenty-something university student wasn’t exactly conducive to starting up a beekeeping operation so I had to hold onto my passion for a little while.
Lucky for me I met a farm boy who knew he needed to end up on land of his own one day. I was able to woo him with extensive knowledge of pollinators and many things agriculture despite my significant lack of experience.
After our first daughter was born I really struggled to gain my footing as a young Mom. What brought me back to myself and helped me grow into who I need to be was an extensive collection of $1 tomato plants I picked up at Home Depot and grew into a forest in my back flower bed at our rental in the city. This little garden reignited in me a deep passion to connect with the food I fed my family and got us moving toward our dreams of running a small farm one day. While we waited for the right time to move onto land we spent many hours tending our garden plot at a community garden. The beauty of this time together, outside, growing our food, cemented in me a desire to share growing with others. Our kitchen table is the cornerstone of our home and the idea that we could provide the food that would grace others is what led us to finally making the commitment to start farming.
How did you learn how to farm?
I feel like this question implies that I actually know what I am doing.
In all seriousness the majority of my knowledge about farming has come from extensive deep dives on the internet and in books. Seeing something that interested me, asking questions, and going in search of answers. My husband has a wealth of knowledge on the livestock side of our operation and is teaching me as we go. One of the best resources for me has been our community. There are so many knowledgeable people around who are willing to share their wisdom and experience.
I have taken many seminars and online courses about market gardening, mainly from the University of Saskatchewan, but also from many blogs and content creators. My best teacher has been just doing it. I am really good at becoming paralyzed by all of the information available to me and struggling to get started because I am not 100% sure how to do it perfectly. Once I can get past that and just do things, all of the information I have acquired starts to click and make sense. Although I have learned so much since we started I still learn multiple new things every day.
What type of business structure is your farm?
We are currently in the process of incorporating our farm from a partnership. Our primary reason for incorporating is liability considerations as we begin to have more people come learn and explore on our property.
How much land is under production on your farm?
We have approximately 15 acres in production, the vast majority of which is pasture. Our main garden is approximately ½ an acre with our second garden space being smaller than a quarter acre. We are in the process of developing 1.5 acres into a fruit orchard, primarily with saskatoon and raspberry bushes and our big undertaking for this year is putting the finishing touches on our 110’x24’ greenhouse.
What is your land tenure? Are there special relationships that enabled this?
Our property is unique because it has two homes on it. The reason we were able to purchase this specific property is because my parents moved with us to live in the second home. We originally thought we would purchase something with a smaller home and more land but having my folks across the yard trumped almost all other considerations.
What types of ecological farm practices and/or responses to climate change realities do you engage in?
We employ many sustainable farming practices such as no-dig gardening, and permaculture principles. We are not certified organic but instead say that our products are ethically and sustainably produced. What we mean by this is that we are aware of what goes into our animals and crops, and are good stewards of our resources (not using chemicals). We use rotational grazing to manage our pastures, compost to have what we need to amend our own soil, and reduce emissions where possible. Our farm participates in the Loop program which allows us to pick up food from the grocery store that is no longer fit for human consumption to feed to our animals. The food and packaging are diverted from the landfill and are used either as feed or compost with all possible waste going to recycle. In an average week, we get the equivalent of 15-20 banana boxes of food. From there about¼ goes straight to compost, on average we generate 1-2 bags of recycling and ½-1 bag of garbage.
Why did you apply for business mentorship?
I am in the season of life where I am ready to grow. Remember above when I mentioned paralysis by analysis? That has very much been my experience in my business over the past year. I felt that with the support of a mentor, I would have the guidance and accountability I need to meet many of my goals. A strong network is also hugely important in the field of agriculture and being so new I thought this would be a great opportunity to start building.
What is the greatest business challenge you face as a new farmer?
This seems like a great time for a story. In 2020 we decided we were ready to make the move on purchasing land. The last weekend of June went a little something like this, Saturday our offer on the farm was accepted. Sunday we sold our house in town. Monday we found out we were pregnant. Eight weeks later, just before moving into a trailer for 6 weeks before we got possession of the farm we found out we were expecting twins, which doubled our kid count. Welcoming the twins has really slowed down my timeline for our farm. My greatest challenge is balancing raising a family and building a business. There are so many things to be done with each of these responsibilities it is hard to not become consumed and lose focus. Pacing and strategic planning are key, and also happen to be super stinking hard.
What is your primary business goal for the season?
Launching on-farm programming. Our garden is growing, we are going to officially launch our CSA, our animals are doing well, which means it is time to open our gates! A few of our smaller goals include putting up our greenhouse, selling 10 CSA shares, hosting an Open Farm Days event, and booking our first field trip.
What business tools could you not live without?
My most valuable business tool is hands down, my parents. My Dad has taken a major lead on animal care since the twins were born and my Mom has taken a lead in the garden. They both carry so much of the workload and get things done when I am not able to.
My second most valuable tool is my daytimer. It is massive (8.5×11) and contains all of the things that my brain isn’t able to hold onto. To-do lists, seed varieties, planting dates, programming notes. Everything. I am coming to realize that if I lose this book I would struggle in unimaginable ways and not everyone appreciates getting a photo of a handwritten to-do list. So I will add Google to my business tools I can’t live without, most notably Google Keep.
If you had a farming robot what would it be?
My farming robot would be a Jack of all trades. She would pull weeds, catch the glitches in our watering system, generate to-do lists, and wash and package produce at a rapid rate. Her most valuable traits would have to be washing dishes and laundry, delivering meals to the garden when we work late, and reminding us all to stay hydrated and reapply sunscreen.
Website: https://www.gatheredandgrown.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gatheredandgrown/
