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Farming is more than just a job
About 18 months ago, I obtained a pass that gives me unlimited travel on our city buses. Though I still use the car on occasion, being able to get aboard the bus is a privilege I’ve learned to appreciate for a couple of reasons: the quietness of those early morning
Wannabe Farmer
by LINDA WEGNER
rides provides time to think over many things, including themes for this article and others; a significant saving in money and ecological impact; and – equally important and refreshing – the new discoveries that come with being able to concentrate on my surroundings rather than the road. Amongst other things of interest, I have been pleasantly surprised to discover a vineyard I hadn’t realized existed.
Those morning rides have provided the time and space to contemplate how fortunate we are to have the freedom, the land and the skills to grow our own food and help feed others at home and abroad. I recently attended an event sponsored by our community farmers’ group. In a well-organized effort to raise funds to upgrade a quonset at our farmers’ market grounds, members of the community recently attended a sold-out information meeting and dinner. This was no ordinary dinner. The food was supplied by local farmers and the catering by students of our high school culinary program, and it was outstanding. Adding to my sense of gratitude were the words from one of our younger and definitely successful farmers. In his presentation, he noted his appreciation for other farmers – his competitors in some cases – who took the time and effort to help him advance his newly launched farm business. Another presentation by the organization’s president pointed out the necessity of growing food for our animals as well. For us, no ferries means no hay and no feed for chickens et al. Becoming self-sufficient is more than a warm fuzzy feeling, it’s a matter of survival. An increasing number of young farmers across our
province have committed themselves to farming and ranching. There’s a Facebook posting on the We Heart Local BC page: Farming is more than just a job, it’s a lifestyle. To all those farmers out there, keep on enjoying your lifestyle. We love your contributions and we need you!
FAITH in action
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • MAY 2019 nfrom page 43
When you’re growing 100,000 lbs of vegetables for the food bank and other charities, it’s important to get a head start on the growing season. MYRNA STARK LEADER PHOTO
Partners include groups
like Mamas for Mamas, a national non-profit dedicated to helping mothers in crisis and low-income families. Last year, Mamas for Mamas volunteers tended to 50 chickens in the farm’s coop, yielding about 900 eggs a month. Egg production was split 50/50 between the group and the farm foundation. This year, plans call for a new coop to house 100 chickens.
Ozanam, a men’s recovery
house, is using the farm to teach skills to its residents. An activity group for men, the Okanagan Men’s Shed, will be using a workshop on the property in 2019.
Both Smith and Eng say the farm is faith in action. Things like irrigation lines, seeds, plants and equipment are donated. “We’ve also invested over $500,000 in the land, including renovation of the house and shop on the property,” says Smith. “We have tenants in the house, which also helps to fund the costs of the farm.” Additionally, they’ve leased
five acres to a for-profit organic vegetable producer, Unearthed Fine Veggies and Herbs, operated by Jordan Marr. Although the church’s portion of the property isn’t certified organic, Eng says they’re using as many organic practices as they can. Helen’s Acres also hosted
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the Central Okanagan Farm Society’s farm incubator program for three years, now on hiatus. The program gave a headstart to Simon Answerth of Kelowna’s Lightfoot Farm, and the church plans to continue offering incubator plots on its own this year. The property
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could accommodate as many as nine quarter-acre plots in the future if the pilot goes well. Two people have signed on to date, and the church is hoping for a third. Eng will provide some basic training to help the fledgling farmers take flight.
“I taught a course for six
years at the University of Fraser Valley called ‘Sustainable, Holistic Agriculture’ so I’m going to use some of that,” says Eng. “The other thing Darcy and I talked about is trying to be mentors to them in-season as well, not only for this group but for others on the land. There’s a huge difference between looking after the garden in your backyard to expanding to a quarter acre.” Work will be underway this
year to see what grants are available to support the farm’s activities, which have operated at a loss for the past three years. All going well, this year will finally see the farming operation break even.
But even more important, both men see Helen’s Acres as a way to give heart to commercial agriculture. “There’s a place for
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commercial agriculture and there’s a place for someone who’s doing a couple acres and there’s a place for community places like ours,” says Eng. “There’s a connection to the land and to helping people and there’s an educational aspect. Most people don’t know where food comes from. We have tours and bring youth here,” says Smith. “It’s about awareness and heart.”
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