West Coast Growers' Guide
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Port Alberni Ucluelet To no Bam eld 2017 Grower’sWest Coast Guide Your Source for Local Food & Products Leader’s Message - Grow With Us! Welcome to the 2017 edition of the West Coast Growers’ Guide! The City of Port Alberni and along the path to meeting our Most of all, we are proud only by planting a container Alberni-Clayoquot Regional agricultural goals. Our area of the community’s passion of herbs, tomatoes, or salad District are committed to boasts a number of Farmers’ about and involvement in food greens on your balcony. In cultivating and supporting a Markets, which are open at sovereignty and sustainabil- backyards, gardens, farms, thriving local food system. In a variety of times and days ity issues. We hope that the community and organizational 2011, the Regional District throughout the week. We 2017 edition of the Growers’ green spaces, and our various adopted the Alberni Valley have attracted new farmers Guide offers resources to Farmers’ Markets, all commu- Agriculture Plan, setting out into the region and are seeing both our own residents and nity members can contribute! an action plan for agricultural a growth in the variety of area visitors, helping them initiatives with a long term products available throughout to access the healthy and goal of 40% regional food se- the year, including big leaf diverse products that are curity by the year 2031. The maple syrup, micro-greens, produced in the region and Regional District also formed grass-fed beef, mixed vegeta- offering resources to support Mike Ruttan - Mayor, an Agricultural Development bles, and oysters on the half them in cultivating more food City of Port Alberni Committee and hired part- shell. There is a resurgent themselves. time consultants to provide interest in marine and shell- While the growth of a direction on agricultural and sh culture, and dedicated thriving and sovereign local food security initiatives. In agricultural projects being food system is not without 2015, The City of Port Alberni established in some of our challenges, we are heartened created the Food Security and smaller, off-shore communi- by the progress made so far. Climate Disruption Commit- ties. The City’s bylaw allowing As government leaders, we tee, which provides recom- chickens, bees and vegetable encourage you to support mendations to Council with stands within City limits has this movement yourself by respect to urban food security resulted in an increase in buying from your local farmers and climate change concerns each of these and fostered the and doing what you can to affecting the community. sense of a community food contribute to the area’s food We are moving forward culture. production yourself - even if Support the Future of Local Farming The average age of a farmer in BC is 56, giving the province has a vested interest in this goal and a part to play in making the dubious distinction of having the oldest farm operators in it happen. As a food consumer your purchases determine the Canada. At the other end of the spectrum BC has the smallest future of agriculture in your community. Without committed and percentage of farm operators under the age of 35. These reliable customers all farming becomes risky business and it is numbers are part of a long and ongoing decline in the number of new farmers who are most vulnerable. farms and farmers in Canada. The statistics are troubling: from True food security comes from cultivating relationships 1991 to 2011 the total number of farms in Canada declined with producers who grow it right in your community. There is an by 24%. In the same period the average age of farm operators impressive list of them right in this guide, and many increased from 47 to 55. As it currently stands the number of of them represent the critical demographic shift farmers under 40 is falling alarmingly across the board while the we need to make. So check them out, nd the number over 50 is skyrocketing. ones who grow what you want, and become While there are farmers still active in their 80’s and 90’s a committed customer. It could be it is probably unrealistic to assume that someday they could be the start of a beautiful, and tasty, the “average” farmers. But that is precisely where we are headed relationship. unless agriculture can attract an inux of younger participants. For farming to remain healthy and sustainable the average age of Written by Bob Collins. Bob and his a Canadian farmer needs to be pared back by at least 15 years. wife Ann have farmed in the Alberni It can only be accomplished by convincing more young farmers Valley since 1980. There are currently 3 to enter the industry. Every person who expects to eat every day generations of their family on the farm. Alberni Farmers Institute The Alberni Farmers' Institute (AFI), high school student pursuing secondary At a time when being informed about our established in 1899, has been a corner- education in agriculture. food is so important, the AFI is a great stone of the local agricultural landscape Makenna Cyr was recently elected educational asset for new farmers and the for over a century. Its members are President of the Alberni Farmers Institute. public as well. passionate about healthy local food, inno- She is a young, 1st generation farmer, born Anyone can join; whether you are vations in agriculture, environmental re- and raised in the Alberni Valley. Makenna a farmer, just feel a strong interest in sponsibility and food sustainability within became involved in agriculture through the agriculture, or are passionate about local the region and on Vancouver Island. 4-H program and got involved with the AFI food! To become a member or get more The Alberni Farmers' Institute after receiving a post-secondary bursary information please contact Anna Lewis at promotes farming through workshops, in 2014. As the new President, Makenna 250-735-0520 or Makenna Cyr at circulation of information, educational hopes to galvanize the Alberni Farmers 250-731-5072. The cost of membership forums, and networking events such as an Institute as an important networking tool is a sliding scale from $15-$25 a year annual Christmas dinner and dance. and knowledge base for everyone involved per farm or family and includes a sub- It also awards an annual bursary to a or interested in agriculture and local food. scription to Country Life in BC magazine. The 2017 Growers’ Guide was sponsored in part by the Alberni Clayoquot Health Network (ACHN). The ACHN is a mechanism for citizens working and living in the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District to come together and speak with a collective voice on health issues and share ideas and resources to build healthier communities. The Network aims to improve health and well-being and focus on the social determinants of health. Learn more, and download the ACHN’s Strategic Plan, at http://achn.ca/wp. Alberni Farmers’ Institute Since 1989, we've celebrated the resiliency of Valley farmers and their strength and diversity. We are passionate about local food security, raising the profile of agriculture in our region and promoting sustainable agricultural practices on Vancouver Island. Annual membership is on a To know more or get involved, contact: sliding scale $15-$25 which includes subscription to Makenna Cyr [email protected] Country Life magazine. or Anna Lewis [email protected] 7989056 We Live Where A Rainbow Of Food Is Grown Be a locavore! Locavores from the cultural, social and has many bene ts? Children try to choose locally grown or pleasurable reasons for eat- and adolescents who fre- produced food that is in sea- ing. Nourishment comes from quently eat together with at Check out son. We are so lucky to live fully appreciating and sensing least one meaningful adult new recipes with in in the Alberni-Clayoquot meals while being mindful of have better food and nutrient www.cookspiration.com. Regional District where there hunger and satiety cues. Mak- intake, eat more vegetables You may enjoy the ‘Corn, is literally a rainbow of food ing eating and food a priority and fruit, are at lower risk for Sweet Potatoes and grown. All four food groups in life and devoting time for substance abuse, are socially Salmon Chowder’, the are grown here – see the list procurement, preparation and better adjusted and perform ‘Baked Potato Medley’, of local food & products avail- meals with others will help to better in school compared to the ‘Butternut Squash’, able in this guide. You will bring the body into a better adolescents who eat together ‘Spinach & Feta Frittata’ nd a vast array of nutritious balance nutritionally. We with their parents less often. and so much more. foods to help families create recommend eating a rainbow Lines of communication with many healthy and delicious of real local foods for better kids and teenagers are more For nutrition information recipes. health. What better place open, when people share you can visit Food is wonderful. It than here in this region to a family meal on a regular www.dietitians.ca, engages all our senses and obtain your food? basis. Children will feel more or call 811 at HealthLink plays several roles in our lives. Seven of the top ten connected and develop more BC to speak to a Food brings people together, causes of death, such as self-con dence and better registered dietitian. sustains us and comforts heart disease, stroke, and self-image, as they engage us. Eating healthy foods is cancer are linked to diet and with family over a meal. essential for our health.