“MEET THE FARMPRENEURS | SANDOWN CENTRE FOR REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE”

The Farmpreneur program is located in North Saanich and is a part of the Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture. The program provides new farmers with secure access to land, mentorship, and support with business development. New farmers have the freedom to specialize in specific crops of their choice, from fresh vegetables to herbs and fibres, to be sold in market or for use in processed goods.

In its first year, the program admitted 7 farmers, three of whom are featured in this video. We hope you enjoy! To learn more, click here

OUR REGIONAL FOOD AND FARM LANDSCAPE

Did you know there are over 700  farms in the Capital Region? LESS THAN HALF of them are growing food! Plus, prices for farms have skyrocketed putting them out of reach for potential farmers. Food is also provided by the ecosystem more broadly through our rivers, lakes, oceans, meadows and forests which have been stewarded since time immemorial.  We live and work on unceded indigenous territories, where the original food system was predominantly local and sustainable.  We have much to learn about these foodways (click here to read our territory acknowledgment).

How can we get farmers and food system stewards on the land? How do we ensure we have healthy soils and lands into the future?

CRFAIR supports a number of initiatives promoting farmland and foodland retention, stewardship and access including: the Agricultural Land Reserve, rural zoning (limiting or promoting land uses), urban containment zone, land trusts, community farms, and Young Agrarians (Linking farmers to private lands).

CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH INITIATIVE

CRFAIR promotes healthy and sustainable food systems.  This considers our relationships with each other, and the land and waters of this region.  We endeavour to honour the land and its treaties by strengthening our relationship and responsibilities to them. We live and work on unceded Coast Salish Territories*, specifically of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees) and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nations here in the core area, the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations {W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱,(Tsawout) W̱SIKEM (Tseycum)} out on the Saanich Peninsula and Gulf Islands, to the west Sc'ianew (Beecher Bay), T’Sou-ke, and Pacheedaht, and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) and Pune’laxutth’ (Penelekut) Nations.

The presence of settlers (non-Indigenous peoples who live on these lands) is not neutral; it has had and continues to have devastating impacts on many aspects of life for Indigenous peoples. Many of our practices, including the seeds we plant, the ways we educate, and our methods of growing food came to these lands through the ongoing process of colonialism. Settler colonialism has suppressed local well-being by harming Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ food systems, whether they be land-based or of the sky and sea. We hold this understanding in our interactions and engagements with this land and its people. 

There is important work being done by many nations and allies to ensure the continued thriving of these food systems, communities, and knowledge systems. Those of us who are settlers need to recognize that our knowledge and way of doing things may not be the priority as we work towards food security for everyone in this region.

* The term Coast Salish is used to encompass a number of Indigenous peoples, including Esquimalt, Hul’qumi’num, Klahoose, Lekwungen, MALAXEt, Musqueam, OStlq’emeylem, Pentlatch, Scia’new (Beecher Bay), Sliammon, Shishalh, Skxwú7mesh-ulh Úxwumixw, Stó:lo, Straits, Tsleil-Waututh, T’Sou-ke, W̱SÁNEĆ, and Xwemalhkwu.