Rebuilding what we lost of BC's small scale meat economy

How Our Governments Set Policies & Programs for Farmers

This episode we explore Canada's Next Agricultural Policy Framework [https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/department/transparency/public-opinion-research-consultations/share-ideas-next-agricultural-policy-framework-0], and how farmers can have a say in the policies and programs our governments create for farms and farmers. In the episode we discuss some surveys BC farmers are being asked to fill out. Here are some links: Provincial Ministry of Ag Survey: Takes about 15 minutes to complete Deadline: Wednesday, June 10th Survey link: https://submit.digital.gov.bc.ca/app/form/submit?f=3fe4d6db-bc21-490e-a821-cb195e2fac20 [https://agriservicebc.cmail19.com/t/y-i-auijdid-l-r/] Agriculture & Agrifood Canada Survey: Takes 10-20 minutes to complete Deadline: Tuesday, June 30th Survey Link: https://agr.survey-sondage.ca/f/s.aspx?s=981FEF92-6622-46FF-AD99-3E3E3637A0B9 [https://agr.survey-sondage.ca/f/s.aspx?s=981FEF92-6622-46FF-AD99-3E3E3637A0B9]

Your Water Shortage Concerns & How One Chore Becomes 20

I think the title for this episode does all of the necessary heavy lifting. Take a break this time, Show Notes. farminginbc.ca/submit to contact me.

Growing Wheat & Fending Off Nihilism in the Fraser Valley

This ep: my interview with the farmers of Cedar Isle Farm [https://cedarislefarm.ca/] near Harrison Hot Springs, where Hannah, Diane, Jim, & Rosa told me about growing wheat, oats, barley and rye for their Grain CSA and for regional bakeries. We discuss their production & marketing, the stress of ensuring farm longevity & succession amidst a 500K tax bill, farmers-as-paragons, and ideas for strengthing farm communities. farminginbc.ca/submit to record your thoughts for the show!

Rebuilding what we lost of BC's small scale meat economy

Today on the show, my conversation with Butcher Matt Kemp, a week after he figuratively cut the ribbon at the Okanagan Butcher Hub, a new meat cutting facility located in Spallumcheen, just a hair north of Vernon. Built by the Smallscale Meat Producers Association with support from multiple levels of government, it’s hoped that this butcher hub will help address a capacity issue that has dogged the region for years. Matt joined me to talk about the year-long problem of insufficient slaughter and meat-cutting services in the Thompson-Okanagan, and really, around much of BC, and how this insufficiency has had knock-on effects on small-scale meat production. We’ve lost a lot of production, says Matt, and he hopes that butcher hubs like the one he’s now managing can slowly start to bring this production back online.

Burnout Claims a Veggie Farmer in Buffalo Creek

This time on the podcast: my conversation with Robin Hunt of Big Rock Ranch. [https://bigrockranch.ca/] Back in 2016, Robin moved from Squamish up to their grandparent’s property near 100 Mile House to start a market garden business and live the truly rural life they’d been craving for years. There was a steep learning curve for Robin and their business partner Johan, but in short order the two established themselves as a fixture at the local farmers market, and the business expanded quickly to include restaurant sales, a CSA program, and eventually, wholesaling. Robin joined me last week to talk about that trajectory and the burnout that followed, leading to a decision to pause farming operations for the foreseeable future.