All over the Kootenays, young farmers and food producers are busily preparing to grow the food we will all see on the shelves and at our Farmers’ Markets this year. To help kick-start the season, Young Agrarians (YA) is hosting the region’s first young farmer mixer — a two-day event that will feature workshops, speakers, and networking sessions.
YA is a B.C. movement that exists to support young and aspiring farmers. Last month, YA hired Creston Valley residents Laura Hannant and Nigel Francis to co-ordinate the movement in the Kootenays.
“YA is gathering young people so we can connect, tell our stories, share food and dance,” said Hannant, “But we are also putting on the mixer to give farmers, homesteaders and farm-curious folks a chance to upgrade their skills and access valuable resources.”
From a session on low-tech, no-fuel season extension to a walk-behind tractor demo to help accessing funding opportunities, the event is designed to make 2014 a better growing year for participants.
Michelle Tsutsumi took part in a YA mixer in Kelowna in 2013. Her advice to other young farmers?
“If you have the chance to check this out, definitely take the time,” she said. “You'll leave super energized for the upcoming season, full of ideas, and with a beautiful group of people to call on.”
Francis is inspired by what the Okanagan Mixer accomplished.
“The connections that participants made have led to group purchasing of farm inputs, social events, work bees and farm-to-farm collaborations,” he said.
The mixer will take place at the Crawford Bay Elementary-Secondary School on March 15 and 16. On Saturday at 5:30 p.m., doors will open to the public for an all-ages potluck and concert.
Earlier that week, YA will host daylong market gardening workshops in Cranbrook and Nelson with Canada’s “rockstar farmer”, Jean-Martin Fortier.
Information about both events is at www.youngagrarians.org.
—YOUNG AGRARIANS