Home Grown: Local Sustainable Food

From the Museum of Vancouver:

Home Grown is a photographic exploration of local food production and sustainable farming in Vancouver and the surrounding region, presented by MOV and FarmFolk/CityFolk.

In photo-journalistic style, 39 stunning images by photographer, Brian Harris, contain a call-to-action for individuals and communities to reclaim control of local food systems and to think carefully about the ethics of food consumption decisions that are made everyday.

Accompanying programs, including workshops, screening, talks, and tours, will give a deeper understanding and appreciation of local food production issues as well as the inspiration and skills to start a backyard or community garden.

Home Grown Talk & Tour Events:

September 02, 2010 - 7:00 PM: Chris Bodnar, Glen Valley Organic Farm

Topic: A farmer's direct relationship with their customer through CSA, farmers markets, and restaurant delivery.

Biography: Chris Bodnar started farming at Glen Valley Organic Farm beginning in the 2007 season. Prior to farming Chris was an academic in the field of Communication. A desire to work in a more sustainable and locally-based career lead him to consider other work. Inspired by the work of local food-related organizations, Chris decided to investigate farming. Glen Valley Organic Farm currently employs 7 people to grow organic fruit, vegetables and eggs on 12.5 acres. Glen Valley Organic Farm is co-operatively owned by 70 shareholders who purchased the farm in 1998. Two GVOFC farm enterprises sell produce at seven farmers markets. Their fruit and vegetables are used by restaurants across the Lower Mainland as well as home delivery grocery services. GVOFC farm mainly sells to the public at farmers markets, both as Glen Valley Organic Farm and through the Langley Organic Growers co-operative, and through the CSA Harvest Box program at NOW BC. They sell to two restaurants directly (Aphrodite's Cafe and Seasonal 56) and to a local distributor (Biovia).

October 07, 2010 - 7:00 PM: Karen Howbolt, Politics of Seeds

Topic: Politics of seeds and our local good system with a global view.

Biography: Karen Hawbolt has worked with The Haliburton Community Organic Farm Society to produce bountiful harvests that were sold at the farm stand and to other customers throughout Greater Victoria. While farming on Salt Spring Island, Karen has also was a seed grower for Salt Spring Seeds.

November 04, 2010 - 7:00 PM: Chris Hergesheimer, The Flour Peddler, and Jim Grieshaber-Otto, Cedar Isle Farm

Topic: Growing local grain and the first grain CSA in the Lower Mainland.

Biography: Chris Hergesheimer holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Simon Fraser University. He is the founding member of the Local-Grain-Initiative. Hergesheimer's goal is to position himself at the centre of a community dedicated to local sustainable food production in just the way the community miller was central to communities before the mega-marts and the 10,000-kilometre supply chain. Chris organizes FF/CF'S Grain Chain Coordinator whilst he runs his own business, The Flour Peddler.

Jim Grieshaber-Otto of Cedar Isle Farm together with Diane Exley and their two children, manage a community-minded family farm that has been growing small amounts of grain for several decades. About 100 acres in size, Cedar Isle Farm partners with a neighbouring dairy farm to produce silage and hay (for both cows and horses), and pastures Angus beef cattle, layer hens, and free-range broiler chickens. The farm grows a few acres of grain each year – mostly oats and wheat – which is either used as animal feed or sold to friends and neighbors. Although not certified, the farm has long operated under organic principles and is in the process of seeking certification.

December 02, 2010 - 7:00 PM: Chef Andrea Carlson, Bishops, and Heather Pritchard, Glorious Organics Farmer

Topic: Co-creation of our local food cuisine.

Biography: Chef Andrea Carlson is a graduate of the Dubrulle Culinary School. Chef Carlson honed her culinary skills under Executive Chef Rob Clark at Vancouver's famed C Restaurant, first as a pastry chef and later as Sous Chef. While at C Restaurant, she pursued her interest in plants and gardens by taking courses in landscape design. From C, she moved to Victoria to work under Chef Edward Tuscon at the multi-awarded Sooke Harbour House with its famed edible landscap. Andrea Carlson has garnered the Prestigious Green Award from Vancouver Magazine.

Heather Pritchard has over 40 years experience assisting non-profits, co-operatives, and small businesses with financial planning, organizational development, and personnel management. She is a member of Glorious Organics Cooperative, a certified organic farm business operating from Fraser Common Farm Cooperative in the Fraser Valley. As an active member in the land cooperative and a grower, producer and marketer of certified organic product, she has first-hand experience with the challenges of sustainable agriculture. Heather co-wrote the FarmFolk/CityFolk book, is on the GVRD Agricultural Advisory Committee, a founding member of the Vancouver Food Policy Council, and Treasurer of the BC Food Systems Network.

For more information about the events and for ticket pricing, check out the Museum of Vancouver's event page.