A Year on the Farm: Recent Episodes
Kimberley Allan
A Year on the Farm is all about my journey as a female small-scale farmer on Vancouver Island in BC, Canada. This weekly show reveals what life is really like on a small farm and all that we are learning from the land. I share my experience and connect you with other female farmers to learn how to grow beautiful food, manage a small farm, and feed our communities. You can find us at Gather Farm & Kitchen in the Comox Valley, or online at http://www.gatherfarmandkitchen.com
Podcast Flashback! To celebrate Mother's Day, I am sharing a past episode that is one of my favourite topics and a great conversation. I am sharing an interview with Arzeena Hamir, owner of Amara Farm in the Comox Valley. Arzeena and I discuss how small-scale farms can build resilience and adapt to the climate crisis. From water storage to shifting to perennial crops, we cover a lot of ground. Arzeena is a mother and also has worked to heal Mother Earth in our community. I can't think of a better topic for Mother's Day. You can learn more about Arzeena's farm HERE. Visit Gather Farm & Kitchen ONLINE Follow A Year on the Farm on INSTAGRAM Support the work of this show on https://www.patreon.com/AYearontheFarm (PATREON) Intro Music written and performed by Olivia Allan
In today's episode, Kimberley interviews Thanu Eagalle, owner of Wild Bee Florals in the Comox Valley. Thanu shares her story as a flower farmer and what she has learned from launching her business. This is an inspiring conversation and so insightful! In this episode, hear all about: important considerations when starting a flower farm how to be resilient as a small-scale farmer choosing revenue streams the importance of pricing in flower farming ways to build community as a flower farmer thoughts on the future of small-scale farming
Learn more about Thanu and her amazing business on the Wild Bee Florals https://www.wildbeeflorals.com/ (WEBSITE) Visit Gather Farm & Kitchen ONLINE Follow A Year on the Farm on INSTAGRAM Support the work of this show on https://www.patreon.com/AYearontheFarm (PATREON) Intro Music written and performed by Olivia Allan
In today's episode, Kimberley shares her strategies for self-care as a female farmer, homesteader, homeschooler, and entrepreneur. If you are a female farmer, homesteader, or rural entrepreneur, listen in to this honest solo episode. She details: why self-care for rural women is sometimes different her successes and challenges with self-care the honest conversation she had with her husband and children strategies she uses and why they (mostly) work and a little inspiration for going forward...
Visit Gather Farm & Kitchen ONLINE Follow A Year on the Farm on INSTAGRAM Support the work of this show on https://www.patreon.com/AYearontheFarm (PATREON) Intro Music written and performed by Olivia Allan
In today's episode, Kimberley shares her personal experience with burnout and how she is cultivating joy on the farm this season. In this episode she shares: why she believes work/life balance is a myth and a problem how she manages her time how she attends to competing priorities how she cultivates joy on the farm
Visit Gather Farm & Kitchen ONLINE Follow A Year on the Farm on INSTAGRAM Support the work of this show on https://www.patreon.com/AYearontheFarm (PATREON) Intro Music written and performed by Olivia Allan
In today's mini episode, Kimberley shares an update on all that is happening on the farm in April. From planting to projects to programs, this is a busy time of transition with much anticipation. In this episode, Kimberley shares: an update about what is happening on the farm how we can communicate with customers about rising prices how to work with our farming community to advocate for what farmers need a personal goal for the season...and more
Read the TRANSCRIPT Visit Gather Farm & Kitchen ONLINE Follow A Year on the Farm on INSTAGRAM Support the work of this show on https://www.patreon.com/AYearontheFarm (PATREON) Intro Music written and performed by Olivia Allan
Today’s episode is an interview with Twila Skinner who is the General Manager for the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market. Twila oversees the operation of a large market that runs year round in Courtenay BC on Vancouver Island. In this episode, we discuss: how to make engaging displays how to deliver great service how to set yourself apart from others how to build customer loyalty
This episode is great for new farmers, experienced vendors who are training staff, and seasoned pros looking for a little inspiration. Read the https://share.descript.com/view/P5T6LnktQsQ (TRANSCRIPT) Visit Gather Farm & Kitchen ONLINE Follow A Year on the Farm on INSTAGRAM Support the work of this show on https://www.patreon.com/AYearontheFarm (PATREON) Intro Music written and performed by Olivia Allan
This month we are talking all about farmers’ markets. And today’s mini episode is focused on customer service at farmers’ markets. As a farmer, you can have amazing product, a beautiful display, but if your service is sub-par, then you could be missing out on potential sales. Especially because you are likely not the only vendor with your type of product and so customers have a choice when they are shopping at a market. While it may seem obvious, customer service is definitely something to put some thought into and to create a strategy. For many, serving customers at a market is second-nature. But there are some key steps to serving people well. Visit Gather Farm & Kitchen ONLINE Follow A Year on the Farm on INSTAGRAM Support the work of this show on https://www.patreon.com/AYearontheFarm (PATREON) Intro Music written and performed by Olivia Allan
For the month of March we are talking about farmers’ markets and all about how to make the most of being a vendor at a market. I have been vending at markets for nearly 12 years as a primary producer, food producer, baker, and concession. I have vended in 4 regions of BC and at 7 different markets. What I am sharing today is all about your display and set up at the market, and more importantly, how to do it in a way that will increase your sales and make vending easier and more efficient. Visit Gather Farm & Kitchen ONLINE Follow A Year on the Farm on INSTAGRAM Support the work of this show on https://www.patreon.com/AYearontheFarm (PATREON) Intro Music written and performed by Olivia Allan
In this episode, Kimberley shares what is happening on the farm this month. It is March on the farm here on the west coast of Canada and today is an update about all that is happening this month, the projects and tasks we are working on, the food we are growing at the moment, and how we are preparing for Spring. Read the https://web.descript.com/e653f27c-7107-43ef-9f5a-b7ea362ce74b (TRANSCRIPT) Visit Gather Farm & Kitchen ONLINE Follow A Year on the Farm on INSTAGRAM Support the work of this show on https://www.patreon.com/AYearontheFarm (PATREON) Intro Music written and performed by Olivia Allan
I am truly delighted to bring this conversation to you today. I had a chance to interview Mariette Sluyter of Whitaker Farm. Whitaker farm is well known for their CSA program and so I wanted to ask Mariette all about her CSA, and it is honestly really inspiring to hear her talk about this. Mariette and her partner, Brian, own Whitaker Farm, a 26 acre farm in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island in BC. They have been farming there since 2014 and acknowledge that they are privileged to farm on the unceded territory of the Komoks First Nation. They believe in building a sustainable food system and ensuring soil health for generations to come. They use organic and sustainable practices and take it a step further by ensuring their staff get a living wage. Not only do they offer a living wage, they also offer an inclusive workplace that is rooted in respect. Read the full episode transcript- https://web.descript.com/0b7af3e3-cacd-4f38-b905-ec14930aae1f (TRANSCRIPT) Visit Gather Farm & Kitchen- WEBSITE Follow A Year on the Farm- INSTAGRAM Learn more about Whitaker Farm- https://www.whitakerfarmyqq.com/ (WEBSITE) Support A Year on the Farm Podcast on Patreon- https://www.patreon.com/AYearontheFarm (SUPPORT) Music written and performed by Olivia Allan
As you may have seen, the release of this episode was delayed this week. I had written and recorded it several months ago and when I went to edit and prepare it for publishing, I felt it wasn’t quite right. So I wrote a new episode, recorded it and this week as I went to prepare it to publish, once again I had reservations. I was struggling with balancing sharing a piece of my story while also trying to make it relevant and useful for listeners. After all, this podcast is about how to farm. And then I realized that I was stuck for 2 reasons- we don’t see a lot of people talk about mental health struggles in farming and I am currently dealing with personal stress that I needed some perspective on. This episode is a moment in time and not intended to be health advice. But rather, sharing a piece of my story to hopefully keep this conversation going. Link to the " rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TRANSCRIPT Visit the Gather Farm & Kitchen WEBSITE Follow A Year on the Farm on INSTAGRAM Support this podcast on https://www.patreon.com/AYearontheFarm (PATREON) Music written and performed by Olivia Allan
Today I am bringing you an episode dedicated to starting a CSA. If you are new to farming or thinking about adding a CSA to your farm, I am going to share all that we have learned about starting a successful CSA. In this episode I share all the details about how we run our CSA. From planning to marketing, and how to make this work for your farm, I go into detail about how we make 3 seasons of CSA possible. Join me on INSTAGRAM to ask questions and share your thoughts. Find us at the farm, at Gather Farm & Kitchen. Please join our community and support the podcast! There are 3 simple ways to support: Provide a rating on Apple podcasts, this will help others find the podcast. Share with others that you know will love the podcast. Become a https://www.patreon.com/AYearontheFarm?fan_landing=true (Patron) and receive goodies from the farm!
Thanks for listening! View the https://web.descript.com/4fbc5439-b6b0-4ece-9601-f1851c63a693/971b5 (TRANSCRIPT) Intro music written and performed by Olivia Allan.
This week's mini episode is a farm update for February. Each month I will be bringing you an episode that captures what is happening on the farm in real time. These episodes are all about the work we are focused on, an update of what is doing well and what we are learning, and a reflection on our farming journey at this point. It is February on the farm and while it is chilly and rainy here on the east coast of Vancouver Island, it is an important time of year for our farm. February is about projects and planning. I am sharing a little insight into how we plan our crops and why I encourage you to use this same strategy. Join me on Instagram at AYEAR ON THE FARM Learn more about our farm GATHER FARM & KITCHEN
Today's episode is an interview with Arzeena Hamir, the owner of Amara Farm on Vancouver Island. With her husband and family they operate a 25 acre certified organic farm, with vegetable and fruit production. Arzeena has an undergrad degree in Crop Science and a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Agriculture. I can’t think of a better person to speak to about resiliency in small-scale farming. We discuss ways that small farms can be more resilient with the changing climate. Adaptations such as water storage, changing crops, and investing in perennial crops is discussed. You can learn more about Amara Farm HERE. I would love to hear from you- Please follow A Year on the Farm on Instagram and let me know if you have any questions. View the https://share.descript.com/view/LOIaLOBh8Nu (TRANSCRIPT ) You can also find more about my farm Gather Farm & Kitchen HERE Beautiful food is in your future. Introduction Music written and performed by Olivia Allan. (cover photo by Amara Farm)
In this episode, Kimberley shares her experience starting a CSA from her farm. She discusses her top tips for launching a successful CSA and what she loves about it. As many of you know, a CSA is “customer supported agriculture”. You can view Kimberley's CSA in the Comox Valley on her website at Gather Farm & Kitchen. Be sure to follow A Year on the Farm on Instagram and connect with our community.
Hello and welcome to A Year on the Farm. I am bringing you this mini episode today to share one of my favourite crops and to inspire you to plan for an amazing 2022 growing year. Believe it or not, in most parts, it is not too late to plant garlic. While many farms plant earlier in the fall, it isn’t entirely necessary. So if you are feeling like you missed this opportunity or you have only just acquired or cleared land, I urge you to order some seed garlic (there is still some available) and plant what you can.
Learn about our farm at Gather Farm and Kitchen and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. Follow our PODCAST on Instagram and share with us what you love about growing garlic, any questions you have, and where you are growing.
Welcome to A Year on the Farm. I am your host, Kimberley Allan. I am a female farmer on Vancouver Island in BC, Canada. Join me as I share my small farm journey and connect you with other female farmers. You can find me online at Gather Farm & Kitchen and connect with me on Instagram. Just as we named our farm because of our desire to gather people together around beautiful food, this podcast is a place to gather, connect, and share. Music written and recorded by Olivia Skye Allan