SPRING 2022 | 

VOLUME 14 ISSUE 01

HOW CAN WE SUPPORT

NEW FARMERS?... PAGE 4

SEED PRODUCTION FOR

MARKET GROWERS... PAGE 8

FODDER FOR THOUGHT... PAGE 10

ORGANIC ALBERTA AGM

EXTRAVAGANZA... PAGE 12

ORGANIC FARMING FOR ECOSYSTEM

BIODIVERSITY & DIVERSITY... PAGE 16
 SPRING 2022 VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 01

MISSION: To represent and support

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Alberta's entire organic industry.
VISION: A strong, sustainable and in the summer. We are partnering
united organic community in
with Gateway Research
Alberta.
Organization (GRO) to host our
conference in Stony Plain on July
EDITOR/SUBMISSIONS 8 and July 9. Alongside GRO, we
Cari Hartt
are planning a unique, exciting
587-521-2400
[Link]@[Link]
event that includes plenty of
ADVERTISING practical information, plus the
Cari Hartt inspiration and connection you
587-521-2400
have come to expect from our
[Link]@[Link]
GRAPHIC DESIGNER 
conferences. The Organic Alberta
Cari Hartt team is looking forward to seeing
587-521-2400 all of you there. Check out page 11
[Link]@[Link]
for more details.

BOARD MEMBERS As for the other in-person events

Representatives elected by region: By Iris Vaisman, Executive Director that are being planned, we don’t
(N) North (S) South (C) Central
have the dates confirmed at the
(M) Member at Large
President: Frank Maddock
I recently went on a river walk with time of publication of this
780-727-2333 Dr. Dwayne Donald, a professor at magazine, but the best way to
jaspersprings@[Link] the University of Alberta and a stay updated is check our website:
Vice President: Tracey Smith:
descendant of Papaschase Cree [Link] and keep
780-802-4073
northcookinglake@[Link]
people. There were about 30 of us an eye open for the monthly e-
Treasurer: Ed Szymanek (C): gathered around Dwayne, listening updates.
403-350-2677 intently to his stories and
eszymanek1@[Link]
knowledge of the Edmonton area. In While you're out and about at our
Secretary: Andrew Mans (S):
403-360-5663
particular, he encouraged us to events, you will most likely get a
ahmans@[Link] reconnect to the natural world chance to meet one of Organic
Becky Doherty (M): around us, and listen to what the Alberta’s Board Members. We
587-673-1077
land is teaching us. He also taught welcome new board members
info@[Link]
James Thiessen (N):
us some names in Cree, including Andy Wagman (Southern
603-480-1158 the name of the North Representative) and Greg
jkthie@[Link] Saskatchewan River: kisiskāciwani- Wedman (Central Representative),
Pierre Fillion (N):
sīpiy, meaning "swift flowing river". and returning members Frank
780-925-2909
pjfillion@[Link]
It was a great afternoon of learning Maddock (President), Tracey
Andy Wagman (S): and connecting. Smith (Vice-President), Andrew
403-866-4220 Mans (Secretary), Ed Syzmanek
andywagman@[Link]
I’m looking forward to learning and (Treasurer), James Thiessen
Greg Wedman (C):
780-232-2309
connecting with all of you this (Northern Representative), Pierre
gwedman11@[Link] summer! Organic Alberta is busy Fillilon (Northern Representative),
planning several in-person events and Becky Doherty (Member-at-
for the summer. The biggest event Large). We give a very heartfelt
Summer 2022 deadline is June
of them all will be the Annual thanks to outgoing board
10th. Please send comments,
suggestions, ads, and/or articles Organic Alberta Central Conference, members: Charles Newell and
to [Link]@[Link].  which, for the first time, will be held Kirk Riste.

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 SPRING 2022 VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 01

HOW CAN WE SUPPORT NEW FARMERS?

By Michelle Lam, New Farmer

Engagement Coordinator, Young WHAT WE HEARD OPPORTUNITIES BARRIERS
Agrarians

The traditional image of farming can New entrants are often drawn to
There is an urgent need for more new prevent new entrants from seeing farming as a career choice that
and young farmers in Alberta. However, PERCEPTION themselves in a farming career, offers a desirable lifestyle. Many are
especially if they don’t come from a driven by environmental and social
new entrants are often underserved by farming background. values.

the agricultural industry. Young

Agrarians, a farmer-to-farmer
The traditional image of farming can New models for training farming
educational network for new farmers, EDUCATION & prevent new entrants from seeing skills need to be explored that fit
themselves in a farming career, the needs of those living in rural
led a series of stakeholder engagement TRAINING especially if they don’t come from a communities and those coming
sessions to better understand the farming background. from non-farming backgrounds.

current needs of new entrants and to

discuss how farming organizations in New farmers are exploring more
The high cost of land and niche agricultural products. They are
Alberta can support them.
equipment is a barrier to new interested in mitigating risk by
entrants. Accessing funds may be diversifying their farm operations,
COST challenging. There is also the and working collectively to grow
During online workshops and one-on- perception that farming is food and access markets. New
one conversations, we heard from unprofitable and inherently risky. farmers are using diverse funding
streams to access capital.
agriculture extension & research groups,
educational institutions, producer
There is a significant need to put
commodity groups, as well as rural Most new farmers cannot afford to
more resources into programs that
ACCESS TO buy land and leasing land can be
municipalities (150+ organizations precarious. New farmers without a
connect new entrants to land and
LAND support for organizations that
invited, 30 attended). The goals of the family farming connection have
understand the complexity of land
significant struggles to find land.
engagement were to: agreements.

Build a shared understanding in the There is a perceived lack of Policies at all levels of government
collaboration among municipalities, should reduce barriers to entry and
agriculture sector of the barriers, the province and federal support to support new entrants. New farmers
needs, challenges, and opportunities GOVERNANCE
support new farmers and farm of a wide variety of backgrounds
transition. There is a lack of new should be consulted to bring fresh
facing new farmers farmer representation in perspective and ensure that new
Better understand how organizations agricultural boards and entrants are considered moving
organizations. forward.
can collaborate to recruit new
entrants into the agriculture
Offering programs and hosting
workforce Isolation deters some people from
ISOLATION & pursuing a farming career. The risk
events to build community locally
Promote existing training programs MENTAL and stress associated with farming,
and connect new farmers can
combat isolation. Professional
and opportunities to develop skills coupled with the isolation, can be
HEALTH mental support in rural
onerous.
and knowledge of new entrants in communities is needed.

agriculture.

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SPRING 2022 VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 01

What is Young Agrarians working on? What can you do to support new Facilitate knowledge sharing and
farmers? mentorships to help new farmers
Building Community | Connecting Be representative of the diverse
new and young farmers through Uplift the stories of new and young backgrounds and interests of new
online storytelling and engagement farmers farmers
as well as on-farm events. Make programming accessible to Share your events and collaborate with
Production Skills | Providing new farmers and tailor it to fit their Young Agrarians to reach new farmers
mentorship and training for aspiring needs
farmers through on-farm Encourage financial institutions to Have a question or collaboration idea?
apprenticeships support farm start up with low- Reach out to Alex Pulwicki at
Business Skills | Teaching business barrier, scale-appropriate loans alex@[Link].
planning and management skills to Promote policies at all levels of
new farmers in startup. government that reduce barriers to Young Agrarians (YA) is a farmer to
Land Access | Online resources about entry and support new farmers farmer educational resource network for
land access and a database of land Build a strong sense of community new and young ecological, organic and
seekers and land opportunities in within your farmer network and regenerative farmers in Canada. Check
Alberta. welcome new farmers out [Link] for more info!

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 SPRING 2022 VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 01

SEED PRODUCTION FOR MARKET GROWERS

By Tierra Stokes, Prairie Regional buying your seed packets. By displaying Similar to a diversity of income, having
Coordinator, Bauta Initiative on seed packets with your market produce, both seed and market production creates
Canadian Seed Security you can visually share the story of where a diversity of jobs on the farm. One of the
the food you grow comes from; growers noted that adding seed
Are you interested in adding seed ultimately engaging customers to production to their farm has enabled them
production to your operation? Three connect different pieces of the food to lengthen the employment of their
growers shared their experience with system and the importance of seeds. farmworkers since seed-related tasks
balancing seed and market production extend beyond the market season. The
on their farm during the Organic Seed Market produce customers can also diversity of work is also an opportunity for
Grower’s Conference last February. Two become an informal way to test which employees to try out many different tasks
of the growers had around 80% of their varieties should be grown for seed. If and grow into jobs they enjoy or want to
farm in vegetable market production you are interested in growing a variety learn more about.
and around 20% in seed crops. The third for seed crops, you can test it on your
grower had 40% of their land in market customers before making the However, this does mean that there is no
vegetable market production and 60% in financial commitment. In other words, off-season. There are many tasks
seed crops. The growers highlighted your market becomes a good place for associated with seed production that
marketing, workloads, field and seed research and variety trials. require completion when, in other times,
equipment planning, and contracts as Moreover, sharing seeds with market you would normally have a break from the
key considerations for managing seed customers increases the availability and farm. Additionally, there are times when
and market production. Although there knowledge of organic seeds. Sharing seed and market production tasks overlap
are certainly challenges to seed and this story and these resources increases or require careful balance, which can be
market production, the growers the resiliency of our seed system. tricky and requires additional planning
expressed how this balance has helped and organization. For instance, seed
them grow as farmers, and expand the cleaning happens simultaneously as the
availability of organic seeds in their last harvest and bed prep. Further, seed
region. orders occur at the same time as nurseries.
Each grower noted that it is helpful to
A significant benefit of having both seed have one person who can pull away from
and market production is that it creates the market production work and focus on
a diversity of income which, in turn, the seed work during these times. This
increases farm resilience. The income way, each crop gets the proper amount of
from markets and seed come at different attention, and everyone has one less ball
times of the year, which can help with in the air to juggle.
planning expenses. It can also help
buffer a year of bad weather or disease. Similarly, it is vital to have a clear crop
With the increase in demand for seeds plan for your seed and market production
from backyard gardeners, some of your to ensure a quality seed crop. A planting
market customers may be interested in tip that came out of the session is that you

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SPRING 2022 VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 01

should plant your seed crops the week can help keep things organized and transparency with your contractor. If there
that is traditionally your best week to require less planning than sharing is a disease or a weather issue that puts
plant produce for markets. The growers space. For instance, one of the growers your harvest and yield goals at risk, share
also suggested clumping together seed uses a 125-foot caterpillar dedicated to this with your contractor because they
crops because they have specific needs their seed crops. This plan leaves them a will likely have the experience and
that the market crops do not. This type space for the seeds to ripen and then resources to support you. To build a good
of planning makes it easier to cover crop thresh. If you share spaces like a relationship with your contractor, it was
your market produce and communicate greenhouse, there can be ways to time recommended to plan a couple of check-
with employees. Additionally, it can be your seed and market crops effectively. ins during the season to update them on
helpful to block all of the brassicas For instance, one grower does seed the crops.
together and all of the non-brassicas cleaning in the nursery space of their
together. Most of the growers had their greenhouse. Equipment already in the The growers noted that when they first
seed production on a different piece of nursery, like ventilation fans, can help started growing seed crops, it was
land than the market production to dry out seed crops. Another grower uses challenging to know their seed yield
maintain proper isolation distances. For her greenhouse heat table to dry out metrics and the amount of time they
example, one of the growers has her seed crops. would invest in the crops. They
seed production at her house, and her recommended keeping good records to
market production on a larger piece of If you are interested in starting some know how much time, infrastructure
land a few miles away. Although this seed production on your farm, the investment, yield, and weed management
helps with isolation distance, it requires growers suggested starting with a you put into the crop. This record-keeping
planning and organization to ensure that smaller seed company. Typically, they will help you make more accurate seed
you have the correct equipment and have a better price, and they can be an contract decisions and pricing next
tools at each location. excellent resource for support and to season. Most importantly, make sure to
answer questions. Once you get more value your time and know when to say no
Additionally, infrastructure and comfortable growing seed and
to a contract.
equipment for seed and market balancing it with your market
production require planning. Often, production, you could be ready to take
While the balancing act of growing seed
infrastructure and equipment for market on larger seed contracts. Furthermore,
and market crops may be a tricky
production can also be used for seed growing on larger contracts is a great
adjustment, many benefits come with it,
production. However, it is important to step toward starting your own seed
not only for the diversity and resilience of
ensure that you have dedicated spaces packets.
your farm but also for increasing the
or times allotted for each crop so they do
availability of regionally adapted seeds in
not compete for space and equipment. The growers emphasized the
the Prairies.
Having a dedicated space for seed crops importance of communication and

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 SPRING 2022 VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 01

FODDER FOR THOUGHT

By Samantha Flasha, Mackenzie tubing system set up at the back, To prepare the seed, Kevin and Donnause
Organic Success Program Coordinator, toward the front where it can drain out barley, which they soak in wheelbarrows
Organic Alberta into buckets. The watering tubes are set for 4-12 hours. The longer you soak the
up on a dual zone sprinkler system, to grain, the quicker it will germinate. They
In January, Organic Alberta, water in two sections to ensure that also add one ounce of hydrogen peroxide
SaskOrganics and Manitoba Organic their well-pump is not over taxed. There to the mixture to kill any pathogens.
Barley is the recommended grain because
Alliance partnered to put on an Organic is a water reservoir in the building and a
of its high protein content. Once the seed
and Regenerative Livestock Conference. pressure tank with a check valve
has soaked for a sufficient amount of
During the session titled ‘Feeding in installed. The trays are watered every 6
time, they drain it for another six hours.
Times of Shortage’, Kevin Beach and hours, for 5-minute intervals. This
The grain shouldn’t be too wet or mushy
Donna Bryck-Beach spoke on how, after amounts to about 40 ounces of water
when transferring it to the trays, as again,
four dry years and decreased yields, they per tray, every six hours. It is important
it is important to prevent mold growth.
decided to adopt a Fodder System to to avoid over-watering, especially at the Once the grain is transferred to the trays,
help feed their livestock. Kevin and seeding stage as mold is the greatest they level it out for more consistent
Donna Farm in Ernfold, Saskatchewan. enemy in a system like this. The Beach’s germination. The building is kept at 15
They have a mixed farm of cereal, explained that they use hydrogen degrees Celsius and the humidity around
oilseed, pulses and beef. They have been peroxide and vinegar to disinfect, and 60%. The humidity will go up when
certified organic since 1989 with the goal took care to remind participants to growth starts, therefore, proper air
of growing nutritious food while check with their organic certifier before circulation is very important.
maintaining healthy soil. using any substances that might affect
certification. When harvesting, the fodder comes out of
The cracked ground and dry vegetation the trays tightly woven together, like sod.
that comes with drought led to limited Kevin and Donna load it directly onto the
grazing and a general shortage of feed tractor to bring to the cattle, and
recommended cutting it up into smaller
for the Beach’s. They were inspired by a
pieces if required. Each strip weighs
friend who had some success with a
about 30 pounds, coming from
fodder system and decided that despite
approximately six pounds of seed in the
the supply shortages due to COVID-19,
trays, yielding about five times. They
the investment to build a home for the
estimate their cattle get about two to
fodder system on their farm would pay
three pounds per day, in addition to their
off. other feed. This fodder system is highly
digestible by cattle, though it should only
They bought a garage and had it wired, be used as a supplement to the roughage
and installed plumbing and a drainage the cattle need. Since Kevin and Donna
system. They used spray foam insulation are new to this system, they are not sure
knowing that the space would have high if they are saving money, but in a year
humidity. The fodder is grown in trays where they had a shortage of feed this
that sit on metal racks. The racks slope was a great solution to supplement their
gradually so that water trickles from a feed crops. Some Fodder for Thought!

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 E SENT
R

PAST P

FU
TURE
ORGANIC ALBERTA CONFERENCE

WITH US

DAY ONE DAY TWO

EXPLORING keynote speakers
PIONEER MUSEUM

trade show,
DEMONSTRATION equipment &
PLOT TOUR learning stations

lunch & GRO

RESEARCH PLOTS main stage speaker

BEVERAGES & trade show,

TRADE SHOW equipment &
learning stations
FEAST &
ENTERTAINMENT farmer panel

JULY 8 & 9 | HERITAGE PARK PAVILION | STONY PLAIN | 587.557.1475

[Link]/ANNUALCONFERENCE
 SPRING 2022 VOLUME 13 | ISSUE 01

ORGANIC ALBERTA

agm
extravaganza
LIVE GREENHOUSE TOUR

By Samantha Flasha, Mackenzie of the greenhouse. Andrew took us intercropping. Andrew mentioned they
Organic Success Program Coordinator, through some of the methods they use generally don’t have a problem with
Organic Alberta to build soil health-including increasing weeds in the greenhouse, as most plants
organic matter from 3%-10% in ten that come up are from previous cover
By now we are all familiar with the trend years! These methods include the use crops and can’t compete with the tough
of events that would normally happen in of a few tools, such as a soil electrical tomato plant. He also showed us their
person, shifting to the virtual realm. This conductivity meter that measures the custom planters they call ‘gutter boxes’. A
was the case for Organic Alberta’s salinity of soil and is an indicator of soil take on hanging baskets where they can
Annual General Meeting, held on March texture, available nutrients and water plant a variety of flowering plants to
9th. We are all looking forward to availability. The goal here being encourage pollination, attract beneficial
hosting in-person events soon, but we increasing soil flocculation – the more insects and provide an alternative food
thought we would take this opportunity soil available to the plants the better. source.
to bring our members together in a way Once he knows the measurements, he
that would only be possible online; to can make an informed decision on As is the purpose of an AGM, after the tour
tour a greenhouse at the beginning of what amendments to add. Some of the we moved on to the business part of the
March, in Alberta. amendments that they have used evening. Our Vice-President Tracey Smith
include alfalfa pellets, gypsum, feather gave an optimistic overview of finances.
Andrew Mans, board member and meal, sunflower hull ash and compost. After a couple slow years due to the
organic farmer extraordinaire, gave us a For irrigation purposes he uses a soil pandemic, things are looking hopeful. We
behind the scenes look at his year- tensiometer. The greenhouse also said goodbye to one board member, Kirke
round, 1 acre greenhouse operation. monitors sunlight to control irrigation Riste. Thank you for your service, Kirke
Mans Organics is a family run operation intervals. They do their best to promote and Charles! And welcomed a new board
out of Coaldale, Alberta. Andrew, along biodiversity, using cover crops and member, Andy Wagman as a Northern
with his wife Denise and his parents, Region Representative. We also had a
have been farming here for 28 years. The change in leadership, as Charles Newell
greenhouse is unique in that it was built reached his term limit as president. The
directly on the original soil. They grow board elected Frank Maddock as the new
tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and Organic Alberta president. Frank has been
eggplants in the greenhouse. These on the Organic Alberta board since 2017.
crops are available from about March- Congratulations!
December. In the summer they also
grow squash, melons, garlic, ginger, Our Board members are a diverse group
turmeric, onions and rhubarb in the of accomplished and knowledgeable
field. organic farmers. Make sure to introduce
yourself to them when you get the
Soil health and disease prevention is of chance. Check out their bios and learn
the utmost importance to their Organic Alberta Staff, from left to right: Cari, Melisa,
their stories on the Organic Alberta
operation, especially in the fixed space Sarah, Iris, Lindsey and Tierra. Not pictured: Samantha! website!

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CLASSIFIED ADS
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varieties (ranked top in research trials for yield and long- GREEN
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Lundgard, Agronomist/Consultant at plundgard@[Link] [Link]
or 780-835-1765.

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ORGANIC FARMING FOR ECOSYSTEM BIODIVERSITY & DIVERSITY

By Trina Moyles, Republished Courtesy of shrubs to steward the water resource. Aside from farming and teaching creative
Rural Routes to Climate Solutions - Often, in conventional agriculture, writing at Red Deer Polytechnic, Jenna is
Farmer's Blog. Photos by Jenna Butler. muskeg areas and sloughs are drained also a practicing herbalist, and the author
and ploughed. of many books, including A Profession of
In Conversation with Jenna Butler, Hope: Farming on the Edge of the Grizzly
BIPOC Organic Farmer, Beekeeper, “There’s an awareness that we can’t Trail, and Revery: A Year of Bees. Recently,
Writer on Treaty 6, traditional territories damage this forest ecosystem,” says we had the pleasure of interviewing Jenna
of the Cree, Saulteaux, Niitsitapi Jenna. “Right away, we thought, okay, about her work as an organic farmer and
(Blackfoot), Métis, and Nakota Sioux. there’s no way we’re clearing anything, land steward at Larch Grove Farm.
we’re going to work with what’s already
Over the past fifteen years, Jenna Butler here.” Together, we talk about soil health,
and Thomas Lock have eked out a home biodiversity, learning from honeybees and
in the northern bush, relying on human- But due to climate change, Jenna and wild bees, and struggling to adapt to a
powered equipment to build Larch Grove Thomas’s journey into farming has been rapidly changing climate. Jenna also opens
Farm, a small organic vegetable and anything but straight forward. In 2018, up about her experience as a BIPOC farmer
flower farm, entirely from the muskeg up. after heavy rains flooded their market and land steward in Alberta, and the
garden and home, they made the importance of creating accessibility for
For Jenna and Thomas, both teachers by difficult decision to literally jack up the marginalized communities to access land
trade, it was always a dream to build a cabin and use fencepost rollers to roll it, to grow food, forage, and save seeds, while
life off-grid and grow organic food for inch by inch, up to higher ground onto participating in dialogue on land
their community. In 2006, they began to the old hayfield. stewardship and climate change.
look for farmland around Edmonton, but
the exorbitant cost of land — in some “I think if we hadn’t been a small farm, RR2CS: What's been your approach to
areas, upward of a million dollars — was we wouldn’t still be here,” admits Jenna. regenerating soil in the compacted
insurmountable on teacher’s salaries. “Many of our neighbours who have hayfield?
Instead, they set their sights northwest of larger farms — grain and cattle — Jenna: The hay field has been farmed fairly
the city and came to fall in love with 160- they’ve had to sell out and move intensively since the 1920s. In the past,
acres of “rough northern bush” in because of flood years, drought years, previous owners used large equipment on
Barrhead County. and this increasingly warming trend it, which wasn’t ideal because we have a
we’re seeing.” high peat content in our soil. What’s
Through careful observation of land and resulted from that is many bumps and
climate, Jenna and Thomas have Today, Jenna and Thomas are in the lumps in the field. It’s considered really
gradually built two cabins, a greenhouse, process of rebuilding the market difficult, marginal land because large
an organic market garden, and apiary. vegetable and herb garden, while equipment can’t handle the peat lumps.
They’re also in the process of establishing focusing on restoring health and vitality But as small-scale farmers, we’ve been
a shelter belt and heirloom flower back into the compacted hayfield. Their working with predominantly human
garden. Of the 160-acres, Jenna and goal is to expand into an heirloom flower powered equipment. Occasionally, we will
Thomas steward 25-acres to grow organic farm to offer a CSA program to the work with a small tractor, but we use only
vegetables, herbs, and flowers and raise community (with organic, unsprayed very light equipment. We were able to even
honeybees. It’s always been important to flowers), while providing food for their out some of the areas in the field that had
the couple that they stay small-scale, honeybees and the native bees. They been quite overworked. Then, we planted
while leaving intact the old-growth forest also want to create access for green manures and cover crops to help
on the land. When they discovered that community members to grow their own build up the topsoil again, which had been
the farm is set on a prehistoric lake bed, a food and forage for wild foods. pretty depleted over the years.
natural water reservoir for the “Everything works together,” explains
community, they felt an additional Jenna, “And we’re building on this We’re focused on using varieties that work
responsibility to plant native trees and already incredibly resilient ecosystem.” to fix nitrogen in the soil, build topsoil, and

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open up the porosity of the soil because just around the bees, but in the market in a nearby tree. I think it was in response
it had been so compacted. We grow a lot garden, and the larger space of the to the wildfire smoke — they seemed very
of organic alfalfa. It’s important that we farm. That’s been a valuable lesson for agitated and threatened by the smoke.
use organic varieties, as we’re hoping to me. Also, working with the honeybees You know, as humans, we find the smoke
grow organic certified crops. When we has helped us to become more particulate and haze really problematic.
started out in 2006 here, Thomas and I conscious of the wild bees who were But what’s it like for other living things
promised one another that we weren’t here first, and to attempt to not around us? We tend to be so focused on
going to use sprays. We weren’t going to impinge too much on their crucial space ourselves. But what’s it like for the birds?
use fungicides, herbicides, nor pesticides in the ecosystem. What impact is that going to have on the
— partly for the health of the land and geese and crane flocks migrating south?
the diversity of the ecosystem, and partly RR2CS: What have the bees taught you Are we going to observe many songbird
for our own health. We’re growing peas about changing weather patterns and deaths like we saw last year? So we’re not
and oats to bring nitrogen back into the climate? only observing the bees, but the impact [of
soil. Sometimes we plant sorghum grass Jenna: Well, with honeybees, it’s more climate change] on other species, too.
in the really compacted soil because it immediately evident because you’re
helps to burst open the heavy tractor looking at a hive that goes from only a RR2CS: How did Alberta's extreme heat —
pan that has developed in the soil over few thousand bees in the early spring to the ‘heat dome’ — impact your farm this
the years. A tractor pan is a really heavy, 25,000 bees to 40,000 bees in the summer?
thick layer that builds up in the soil height of summer. But observing the Jenna: One of the benefits of being small-
when it’s been overworked by large honeybees also keys you into noticing scale farmers is that we have a very small
equipment, and it makes it very hard for how the wild bees are dealing with space to irrigate. Some of our friends and
crop roots and water and nutrients to climate change. The wild bees are so neighbours (larger-scale farmers) were
penetrate deeply. Buckwheat is great for tied to the plant species they pollinate. dealing with entire sections of land to
the foraging wild bees and our Say it’s an unusually warm spring and irrigate. There’s not much you can do but
honeybees, and we’re also looking at the willows flower early. You’d expect to watch the wheat failing to thrive. On our
various grass mixes — peas, rye, vetch — see bumblebees, or native bees, in the farm, we have the benefit of having a
which can build topsoil, but also willows, pollinating the flowers, but the really large dugout, so we were able to
outcompete the weeds. bees haven’t come out of dormancy. pump water on the extremely hot days.
That was critical because we just planted a
RR2CS: Your most recent book, Revery, This summer, our honeybee colonies shelter belt this year. Because we are off-
is an ode to your work as a beekeeper. have been really agitated on the days grid, we also have a 1000-gallon rainwater
Can you speak more to how bees came with high wildfire smoke. Many cistern, which we filter for household
to the farm and what they mean to you? beekeepers use a smoker to manipulate needs. But we also pulled from the cistern
Jenna: My husband and I both got into the hives. The smoker introduces a state on really hot days to irrigate the market
beekeeping at the same time. Managing of threat to the bees, which causes garden. The heat dome impacted us in the
a few hives felt like a logical extension them to eat and fill up on honey. As a sense that we were irrigating constantly.
for our small farm. We also wanted to result, they become very mellow and Even with the use of mulches and cover
offer candles, beeswax, healing salves, calm because they’re preparing to crops, we still had to water frequently. It
and other products to our community. It maybe need to leave the hive. But when was unexpected and put us behind in our
would add to the diversity of a small the bees are surrounded by wildfire work schedule. Plus, it’s physically very
farm, so if anything were to fail in the smoke day after day, they are constantly hard to have to go out and work in the
market garden, or with the flowers, we’d in a watchful state. It’s been very field when it’s +45 degrees Celsius!
know we had the honey to help out. But worrisome. On one of the high smoke
we wanted to plant not only for the days, a hive that showed no signs of RR2CS: How are you trying to learn and
honeybees, but for wild bees, too. swarming just picked up and swarmed. adapt to the extreme growing conditions?
They took off from the hive and landed Jenna: Due to the circumstances of this
As a survivor of emotional and physical season, I’m now looking at ways to
trauma from my early years, I turned to maintain the soil moisture as much as
beekeeping because it seemed like one possible. Even more so, we’re focusing on
of the most painful things I could green manures and cover crops to keep
imagine. As a beekeeper, you’re working the soil safe. When it hit 45 degrees
with hives that have up to 40,000 bees in Celsius here, day after day, the soil was at
the summer, and if something goes risk of becoming solarized. It was literally
wrong, you’re going to get stung — a lot. cooking.
I wanted to deal with my relationship to
pain and fear. Now with any open soil, I’m thinking, how
can I cover that? How can I stop the soil
It’s many people’s worst nightmare that organisms from baking? We also
they’ll get swarmed and stung by experienced these intense drying winds
hundreds of bees. But what I’ve learned this summer, in a way that we’d never
is if that’s your attitude, it might also be seen before. So we’re thinking more about
your experience. Sometimes I’ll go an the value and importance of shelter belts.
entire season without getting stung and
when it happens it’s because I’ve put my In the spring, we started planting a huge
finger down on a worker bee when I’m shelter belt — nearly 1000 new trees — to
moving a frame and the bee says ‘hey, help protect the garden from the winds.
what the heck’ and reminds me how I’ve We managed to plant the first two rows of
come into their space. It’s made me a 7-row massive shelter belt. We put in
more aware of how I carry myself not lilac and poplar. Eventually we'll plant

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progressive rows of spruce, willow, and husband and I both come from away. I RR2CS: How does accessibility for BIPOC
wild roses to break the wind and add often think, what would it be like to land stewards play into your long-term
more ecosystem for the birds. We’ve got observe and work with this land for vision at Large Grove Farm?
another five rows to plant. Thomas and I thousands of years? We’ve only worked Jenna: I feel like we’re just getting our
always said we’d plant more trees than here for fifteen years. I think that keeps feet underneath ourselves to be able to
we take down here. It’s partly to protect us very humble in recognizing how survive year round, off-grid. But in the
our garden against chemical drift (from much we don’t know. coming year, one of our big hopes is to
nearby farms) and also from the start opening up the space (as the
increasingly drying winds, but also to RR2CS: As a woman of colour, what is pandemic allows) to have more
provide more habitat for the ecosystem. your take on the regenerative discussions about diversity to create and
The seedlings we planted this year agriculture movement? What is make available more safe spaces where
managed to survive, although during the absolutely vital to the ongoing people can come and grow. For me, it
extreme heat, we were watering every conversations? would be a dream to reach out to the local
three, or four days to keep them alive. Jenna: There are so many discussions
communities around us and say, if you
around regenerative agriculture and
want to grow food and you need a space,
RR2CS: Who inspires your work as a resilience these days; they’re concepts
we’ve got room. You know, if you’ve
farmer and land steward? that are closely tied together. Still, I
moved here from away and you would
Jenna: I’m very inspired by Indigenous often wonder about why are there not
love to grow something that reminds you
land stewards, many who are working more BIPOC farmers? Why are there not
of home, or you want to grow in a way
with seed saving, including Tiffany more BIPOC seed keepers? What are
that’s familiar to you. If you don’t have
Traverse at Fourth Sister Farm in Dawson some of the systemic blocks in place?
space, or access in your city, or town, you
Creek, B.C., along with educators such as Does everyone have access to land?
can come here to share what you know
Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Does everyone feel safe on the land? In
Sweetgrass. I’m inspired by Indigenous the discussion of land in Alberta, I would about growing food and feel that you can
writers, artists, and land stewards in the say no. Indigenous land stewards are encounter this space safely.
Edmonton area who are working with often made to feel unsafe on the land,
Land Back. and there’s something fundamentally RR2CS: What are some of your biggest
wrong if that’s happening. As a farmer lessons on the land?
As a woman of colour I tend to turn to of colour myself, I am often left feeling Jenna: We learn a lot from what the
BIPOC narratives of place and belonging. very unsafe on the land in my own muskeg on our land tells us year to year.
I’ve been reading works by Dr. Vandana community, not from the more-than- In some years, the garden is suggesting
Shiva lately, as well as Farming While human world, but from some of the ‘this would be a good area for a rainwater
Black, written by Leah Penniman of Soul humans in it. But at the same time, I pond’ because it’s a low-lying area. So we
Fire Farms in the US. The Colour of Food: have hope, yes, let’s run with what we’re build a swale, or a pond down to that area.
Stories of Race, Resilience, and Farming doing in terms of soil health and This is how we approach building bodies
by Natasha Bowens is on my to-read list regenerative practices. of water. We’ve always built our ponds in
this autumn. spaces that the land suggests and the
But let’s not forget that predominantly areas always fill themselves. We’ve never
I often think about being a woman of our farmers, including small farmers, are had to fill our large dugout — and it’s 18
colour whose name is on a legal deed to still white farmers working within a feet deep.
a piece of land — land that is the colonial framework. I think a lot about
traditional territory of Indigenous how those of us who have access to It’s really about watching the land and
peoples. Myself, I’m a non-Indigenous land, knowledge, and resources can meeting nature in the middle. If you want
woman of colour, and 150 years ago, my hold doors open for others to join in and to push your agenda onto a space and the
mother’s people would have been owned share their knowing. There needs to be land is suggesting otherwise, it’s not
or controlled by colonial interests. They a greater diversity of people who have going to pan out. For example, if you want
wouldn’t have had an ownership, or access to land and to be able to share to put an orchard in an area with heavy
caretaker relationship with the land they their knowledge and experiences with clay or muskeg, it won’t work. The land
worked on in Africa and India. Our farm our communities. suggests places to us where it’s best for
is very close to the settlement of certain crops. With climate change, we’ve
Campsie, Alberta, which is one of the five noticed that it’s subject to shift from year
Black farming settlements in Alberta. So
to year, just like last year with high water
as one of the only woman of colour
to this year with drought. It’s a kind of a
working a piece of land in this area, I am
dance with the land. It’s a give and take
very aware of these multiple layered
relationship. The more I learn, the more I
narratives of place.
realize I have so far to go in my
connection with this place, this land, with
I can’t say how much I dislike the idea of
community. I don’t mind feeling like a
owning land. Partly out of respect for the
beginner for the rest of my life in this
land itself and not believing that land is
journey; it keeps my mind wide open. That
‘owned’, but also coming from a
feels like a good place to be.
background where labour, body, and
culture became a commodity. But I think
Jenna Butler and Thomas Lock manage Larch Grove
that idea lends itself to my approach of Farm, 160 acres of forest, muskeg, and a hayfield from
learning from the land, and also learning the 1920s that they’re restoring into a healthy ecosystem.
They manage an organic and vegetable market garden
from communities who have stewarded
and are working towards offering organic heirloom
the land a lot longer than me. This is an flowers to their community. Their vision is to provide
ecosystem that has worked with in access to BIPOC land stewards to safely grow food and
forage wild foods on the land. [Link]
concert with many people before me. My

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