FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Young Farmers Weigh In On The Future of Farming in Nova Scotia
June 7, 2016 (Halifax, N.S.) – Last month, the Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia (FMNS) interviewed a selection of current and new farmers about the future of farming in Nova Scotia and the role farmers’ markets can play.
With the average age of Nova Scotian farmers at 55.4 years old according to Stats Canada, and calls for increased food production and consumption in both the the provincially adopted Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act (EGSPA) and the Ivany Report, FMNS wanted to take a closer look at the experiences of young farmers in Nova Scotia.
They shared quotes, images, and advice from these interviews through their social media channels last month, and invited two young farmers to showcase images from a day in their life on their @MarketFreshNS Instagram account.
One of the recurring topics that arose from these interviews was the role Farmers’ Markets play in fostering young farmers.
Susan teBogt, a young farmer in Onslow, Nova Scotia, says that farmers’ markets are playing a key role in supporting the next generation of farmers by providing infrastructure for direct to consumer sales and relationships, as well as opportunity for start-up and small business incubation.
“Selling direct [to customers] at a farmers’ market is one of the best things a young farmer can do,” teBogt says.
teBogt grew up on a family farm, and began her own farm business at the of age 18. She and her partner Fabian Hamilton now raise grass-fed beef and lamb, pasture raised pork, turkey, eggs and chicken, selling their products at the Truro Farmers’ Market.
This sentiment is echoed by Jocelyn Durston, co-owner of Seven Acres Farm.
“Farmers’ markets offer a low-cost, low-pressure venue to build relationships with customers and explore market potential,” says Durston.
Durston and her partner Chris Kasza moved to Nova Scotia from British Columbia, in search of farmland. Now in their second year of farming outside of Canning, Seven Acres Farm sells at the Tantallon Village Farmers’ Market and the Wolfville Farmers’ Market.
“I love farmers’ markets and likely wouldn’t be where I am as a self-employed farmer without them” Durston says.
Keltie Butler, Executive Director of Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia, feels that farmers’ markets undoubtedly play a role in increasing local agriculture production and consumption.
“Farmers’ Markets offer extraordinary access to delicious, fresh, healthy, local food. They provide communities with agricultural awareness and invite relationship between producer and consumer.” Butler says.
The Provincial Government, under EGSPA, has set a goal that by the year 2020, 20% of the food purchased in Nova Scotia will be produced in Nova Scotia. The Ivany Report echoes and furthers this goal, calling for a doubling of the value of agricultural products produced in Nova Scotia for the local market.
Courtney Webster, a young farmer and co-owner of Olde Furrow Farm in the Annapolis Valley, would also like to see this goal achieved.
“I wish customers could really see how much impact their purchases make. Some years you squeak by, and think – thank god that guy had to buy 50lbs of pickling cucumbers – now we have enough to pay the light bill!” Webster says.
Webster and her husband Adam sell their produce at the Wolfville Farmers’ Market, where they are able to speak directly with customers.
“Through the sharing of education on the benefits of purchasing a local product, consumers can understand that they are helping in more ways than one when choosing local.” Webster says.
Durston echoes Courtney’s sentiment. “I’d love to challenge Nova Scotians to commit to doing their grocery shopping at a farmers’ market once a week for a month – and using this as an opportunity to see how eating in season can be so satisfying and how the quality of the food compares to what is found elsewhere.”
For more on this story, visit the Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia blog: https://farmersmarketsnovascotia.ca/2016/05/10/meet-3-young-women-farming-in-nova-scotia/
-30-
About Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia
Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia (FMNS) is a cooperative of certified farmers’ markets spanning across the province. Since 2004, FMNS has been working on behalf of farmers’ markets and their vendors, producers and artisans. We support our markets by building the capacity of the sector through leadership, province-wide marketing, professional development, advocacy and networking opportunities.
About Your Local Farmers’ Market
To learn more about a farmers’ market in Nova Scotia, and to set up interviews with market staff and local vendor producers, please contact the FMNS office.
Contacts
Keltie Butler, Executive Director
Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia Cooperative
Office: (902) 425-9776
Cell: (902) 830-4113
Email: fmns@farmersmarketsnovascotia.ca
www.farmersmarketsnovascotia.ca
Susan teBogt
Wild Pasture Farm
Truro Farmers’ Market
Email: wildpasturefarm@gmail.com
http://www.wildpasturefarm.net/
Jocelyn Durston
Seven Acres Farm
Tantallon Village Farmers’ Market & Wolfville Farmers’ Market
Email: jocelyndurston@gmail.com
http://www.sevenacresfarm.ca/
Courtney Webster
Olde Furrow Farm
Wolfville Farmers’ Market
Email: oldefurrowfarmers@gmail.com
http://www.oldefurrowfarm.com/
