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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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