Sarah Lang

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Sarah Lang
Name, current job title, company, website – if you have more than one job, you can put down all of them

My name is Sarah Lang. I am currently employed by KPU and work at the Tsawwassen Farm school as a part time farmer. I attended farm school in 2015 the first year of the program.

Cohort year

Tsawwassen Farm School 2015

Why did you decide to enroll in Farm School?

I decided to enroll in farm school because I wanted to learn to successfully grow my own food, look at business possibilities available and because of the convenient location to my home on Tsawwassen First Nation lands as well as the short class

What background (education, training or experience) did you have before entering farm school?

Before farm school I had always enjoyed growing food and plants. However, I was never very successful and always had the most pitiful plants.

How many years of the Incubator Program did you do? What type of operation was/is it?

This year I will be starting a small plant nursery on a incubator plot at the Tsawwassen farm school. My business, Salish Nursery, will specialize in edible and medicinal perennial plants and trees

What were/are the most valuable aspects of doing an incubator plot?

The most valuable aspects of doing an incubator plot is having access to knowledgeable people and teachers as well as access to expensive farm equipment. For me personally being able to see the farm from my house is a big plus.

What are some of the most valuable lessons learned from practical, on-farm training through the farm school?

Learning hands on is the best form of education for me. I have never enjoyed school growing up, but found that this way of learning was not only more enjoyable but the information stuck with me more than traditional schooling ever has. I like learning all the different aspects of farming like planting, woodworking, animal care and learning all the different equipment available to help farmers.

How has Farm School helped you obtain/excel in your current career path?

The farm school has given me the tools to succeed by teaching me what plants need to thrive. Learning the importance of soil health and balance will allow me to nourish the plants we will produce. Farm school has also opened up different avenues of reaching potential customers through farmer’s markets, the KPU website and the farms customers

What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of your current position/career path?

The most challenging part about starting Salish Nursery is learning the ins and outs of starting and running a business, acquiring funding and maintaining a balanced home life with my 4 children while working part time at the farm. By far the most rewarding part about Salish nursery is the fact that we will have a real impact on people’s lives. In providing a healthy organic food source to the surrounding communities we will do our part to bring back locally grown food to families.

What was your favourite course and why?

My favorite course was with Kent on fruit trees and orchards. His passion is contagious and his knowledge is endless. I’m really looking forward to acquiring a large range of fruit trees to try out my new knowledge.

What is one advice you would give to prospective students?

I would tell prospective students to go into the course with an open mind. There are many aspects to farming and endless possible career options when it comes to food production

What does farming mean to you?

To me farming means securing a sustainable reliable healthy food source for our community and more importantly our planet. We need more people to grow more healthy food in the place that we live.