Growing new farmers! The Tsawwassen First Nation Farm School is a new collaboration between the Tsawwassen First Nation and the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems at Kwantlen University.
First of its kind, the school fuses sustainable agriculture and traditional indigenous food systems as tools to build community and create dialogue around land stewardship for the future. The school program is open to all with curiosity on how to feed a growing population while restoring the land. The program curriculum takes place on traditional Tsawwassen land on a 20 acre farm that will soon boast a traditional medicine garden and food forest, orchard, organic market garden and incubator plots for the students that graduate from the program. The TFN Farm School aims to be a gathering place to raise awareness around human scaled alternative food production systems.
The TFN Farm School is now accepting applications for its 2015 program starting in March. Students can expect to be integral parts of a working farm growing a variety of market crops and animals. The learning occurs on the farm with the guidance of professional farmers working in the industry. The program offers classes in crop production, soil and water management, animal husbandry, small farm carpentry and welding, tractor and equipment maintenance, business planning and marketing and indigenous food systems. At the end of the program, students can acquire a piece of land for up to 3 years to grow their farm businesses with mentoring and access to shared tools and resources. This approach allows shedding some of the barriers to entry for new farmers while supporting them in gaining the necessary skills and knowledge to start their own farming operation.
The Kwantlen Institute for Sustainable Food System is interested in systemic change around our local and global food systems. Cognizant of the importance of on the ground initiatives, the Institute has been running the Richmond Farm School since 2010.
We would love to hear from you!
Contact us at tfs@kpu.ca