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We’re excited to introduce Nicole Boere, the new E-Learning and Alberta Program Manager at Young Agrarians!
Nicole is invested in growing rural and urban connections through farmers and food! After a season as a farmhand with an heirloom seed producer and studies in food systems and sustainability, Nicole moved to Alberta to learn more about urban farming and urban-rural foodways. Since then, Nicole has worked at the intersections of newcomer settlement and agriculture. Now, Nicole is a worker-owner of a co-operative farm outside Calgary with friends. Nicole’s great joys in life are feeding and connecting with the people around her and being on a bicycle.
Read on to learn more about her background, what drew her to YA, and so much more.
What is your name and pronouns? Nicole Boere (she/they)
On what territory are you currently residing? Treaty 7, traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Stoney Nakoda, Tsutina Nations and Metis Region 5 & 6
What is your relationship to the land and local food systems? Some of my first memories are of eating fresh peas and chives from my parents’ garden. I grew up in suburban Ontario in a family that has always celebrated food, and where it comes from. As a teenager, I made art projects about human-nature connections and loved learning about the plants and seasons around me. I continued my schooling to learn more! I have lived alongside communities of market gardeners, apiarists, cooks and makers of all kinds. In Ontario, I was involved in local food cooperatives and the magic of seed growing. Since moving to Calgary, I often find myself in community kitchens. I’ve been learning the many plants, animals and traditional peoples that make up this area of the prairies. And when it comes to the Alberta foodscape, I am enamored by the resilience of prairie growers and producers. There is so much to be humbled by.
Tell us about your background. Most recently, I worked in newcomer settlement, community building and agriculture. I supported new growers adapting their agricultural knowledge to Calgary through hands-on events and programs. My family has agricultural roots and food has been an essential part of gathering for us. My grandparents and great-grandparents were farmers, intense gardeners and recreational gouda-makers. So it was an obvious choice for me to continue my education in Food Systems and Sustainability. I’ve worked on seed farms, urban farms and community farms in Ontario and Alberta, as well as at cooperative cafes and local food distributors. These days, I am a worker-owner of a cooperative market-garden farm south of Calgary. I’m interested in community involvement and cooperation across food systems.
Do you have any advice for new farmers? My advice to new farmers is to know who your people are. The ones who will feed you when you’ve worked too many long days in a row, the ones who will buy, trade and celebrate what you’re producing, and the ones who will teach you the things that you didn’t know you didn’t know. It takes a village for farmers and farms to thrive too!
What drew you to YA? I learned about YA through the Apprenticeship Program and, on a whim, applied to work with a trio of urban farmers in Calgary. Since then, I’ve been following the work of YA and have continually engaged with courses and content! I love that YA works directly with farmers to lead and develop programs that are meaningful to new growers. And I am drawn to how knowledgeable, joyful and helpful the entire staff team and network is.
What are you most excited about in your role? I am super excited to work with the YA team and support farmers and farm curious. I’m excited to make and support connections across resources, land and people to continue building strong urban and rural communities that are fuelled by good food and grown and produced by great people.
What inspires you? I am continuously inspired by the generosity of farmers. Whether it is sharing resources, knowledge, food or time, farmers I have worked with are incredibly grounded people. And the foundation of our communities! Thanks for feeding everyone!
What are you most excited about in your role? I am super excited to work with the YA team and support farmers and farm curious friends! I’m looking forward to supporting connections across resources, land and people in the YA world. And to continue building strong urban and rural communities that are fuelled by good food and grown and produced by great people.
Do you have any hobbies you would like to share? In the past 2 years, I’ve been learning bike mechanics! It’s an incredibly satisfying puzzle for me. I love cross-country skiing and, this winter, have picked up quilting again.
If you were a fruit or veggie, what would you be? I would be a garlic scape because I am flexible and love a little pickle!
Welcome, Nicole! We are so excited to have you join the team!
Interested in learning more about the E-Learning Program or Young Agrarians work in Alberta? You can get in touch with Nicole at nicole@youngagrarians.org.