All the Dirt: Reflections on Organic Farming

by Rachel Fisher, Heather Stretch, Robin Tunnicliffe

Overview

Finalist for the 2012 City of Victoria Butler Book Prize

New farmers, experienced growers, budding environmentalists, and fans of natural, organic produce alike are sure to love All the Dirt. Filled with beautiful photographs and covering a wide variety of topics, from agrofuels and food sovereignty to practical tips about specific tools, All the Dirt is the must-read how-to book about small-scale organic farming. But beyond the practical applications, it is also the inspiring story of three friends who followed their dreams and became successful business partners.

Authors Rachel Fisher, Heather Stretch, and Robin Tunnicliffe, co-owners of Saanich Organics, a farmer-run local food distributor, share entertaining stories of three farmers' lives, while also providing practical information about how to start a farm. They relate their personal and collective experiences as women, mothers, and farmers through anecdotes, and discuss the compelling reasons why Canada needs more organic farmers.

All the Dirt proves that there is no one right way to start a farm and no single solution to any problem. But that by working together, farmers can create a resilient agriculture that is vibrant and fun, as well as economically viable.

Rachel, Heather, and Robin have co-owned Saanich Organics since 2002. The business has been featured in numerous publications, including the Times Colonist, West Jet’s Up! magazine, EAT Magazine, and The Province. It has also been featured in Island on the Edge (a documentary film), as well as on CBC radio. By working co-operatively to grow and distribute top quality produce, the business has earned the respect of the farming community, the restaurant community, organic consumers, and activists. Visit Saanich Organics online at www.saanichorganics.com.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781927129128
Publisher:	TouchWood Editions
Publication date:	02/28/2012
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.56(d)

About the Author

Rachel Fisher was born in Victoria, BC, and spent her childhood exploring all of the nooks and crannies of the great outdoors. She received a BA in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from the University of British Columbia, and spent several months studying plant medicine. When she isn’t working on her farm, volunteering with community and farming organizations, or mentoring new farmers, Rachel enjoys hiking, reading, and developing her cooking skills. She lives in Victoria with her partner and their two children.

Heather Stretch was born in Edmonton, Alberta. She has a BA and an MA in English Literature, with a focus on Post-Colonial and Native Literature. She has travelled extensively, visiting the UK, Israel, South America, and Central America. Her interest in social justice issues and her love of the outdoors led her to a career in organic farming. Heather enjoys cooking, hiking, yoga, and listening to audiobooks while working in the field. She lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and their three sons.

Robin Tunnicliffe was born in South Porcupine, Ontario, and holds an MA in Food Policy from the University of Victoria. After a family garden inspired an early interest in permaculture and three years spent planting trees convinced her that she wanted to make a living working outside, organic farming seemed the most logical career choice. Robin mentors new farmers and loves to share her farming experiences with others. She enjoys hiking with her dog, salsa dancing, and mountain biking. She lives in Victoria, BC.

Table of Contents

Preface 1

Who we are 3

Why this book 3

Introduction 5

Cast of Characters 10

Chapter one Heather Stretch and Northbrook Farm 13

Why Farm? 15

Where to farm 17

Getting Started 19

Animal Problems 20

What to Grow 23

How to Grow It 27

Field Layout 27

Irrigation 28

Crop Rotation 29

Fertility 31

Chickens 33

Green Manuers (or Cover Crops0 36

Equipment 38

The Harvest! 42

How to Sell It 44

Recordkeeping 47

Farm Journal 48

Planting Spreadsheets 48

Invoice Book 48

Expense Spreadsheet 48

Crop-Rotation Records 49

Inputs Records 49

Compost Records 49

Certification 49

The Business of Farming 51

Woman, Farmer, Mom 52

Farming with Kids 54

Help! (or Farm Labour) 56

Farming in the Future (or Tips to Avoid Burnout) 60

Chapter Two Rachel Fisher and Three Oaks Farm

Apprenticeship in Paradise 67

My First Market Garden 70

Redwing Farm 71

Greenhouse Woes 72

Bed Layout and Rotation Plan 74

Mulching and Tilling 75

The Reign of Slugs 76

Duck Duties 77

From Mulching to Tilling 79

Coping with Exhaustion 81

Exhausted and a Baby to Boot 82

Looking for Chocolate Cake 82

Water 83

Overhead water or Drip Irrigation? 84

The Lay of the Land 88

The Four Directions 91

Deer Fencing 91

Greenhouse Dream 93

Designing my Movable Greenhouse 94

Supporting the Greenhouse during Transport 97

The Cost 97

Starting Seeds 97

The Bottom Line 101

Setting Financial Goals

The Human Landscape 103

Chapter Three Robin Tunicliffe and Feisty Field

Apprenticing

Starting the Farm

Building the Soil

Developing a Style

Business Skills

The Physical Elements

Choosing your Site

Before Signing a Lease

Site Design

Irrigation

Soil

Weeds

Greenhouses

The Glasshouse

The Recycled Wood Greenhouse

Long John-The Aluminum Kit

Pros and Cons of Greenhouse Growing

Mineral Buildup

Drainage Ditches

Harvesting

First Market Day

Chickens for Meat

Lambs

Certified Organic: Is it for you?

Conclusion

Why Organic? 149

Seed 151

The Effects of Fertilizers and Pesticides 154

The Green Revolution and Loss of Traditional Agricultural Practices 158

Social Costs of the Green Revolution 159

Corn and the Industrialization of Farming Systems 160

US Department of Agriculture Policy and its Long-term Implications 163

Factory Farms 165

Animal Welfare 165

Antibiotics 166

Manure 166

Farm Workers 168

Moving Forward 168

Endnotes for Chapter Four 170

Chapter 5 Coming Together as Saanich Organics

Background 175

Life Choices 176

How We Came Together 178

The Box Program 180

The Commercial Division 183

The Moss Street Community Market 187

Long John: The Greenhouse 190

Hiring Employees 191

The Finances 195

Personal Compatibility 196

Chapter 6 Our Conclusions

Resources 206

Appendix A Farming Set-Ups

Heather's Spreadsheets: Planting Data 208

Heather's Spreadsheets: Harvesting Data 210

Heather's Notes to the Spreadsheets 212

Robin's Lease Agreement 214

Robin's Crop Value Charts 216

Appendix B Saanich Organics' Organization

Saanich Organics: Suppliers and Outlets 218

Saanich Organics: Internal Structure 218

Saanich Organics: Sample Newsletter 219

Saanich Organics: Sample Sales Spreadsheet 220

Saanich Organics: Sample Weekly Invoice 220

Saanich Organics: Income Statement from 2008 221

Index 223

Acknowledgments 228

Editorial Reviews

All the Dirt is much more than just another dry, nuts-and-bolts, hands-in-the-dirt how-to. It demonstrates that farming can be done successfully, in co-operation with others, all while paying the bills. —Michael Ableman, farmer, author, and co-director of Vancouver’s SOLEfood

This timely book speaks to the next generation of farmers, and anyone interested in knowing what it takes to get a healthy dinner to the table. This is also a book about building community and restoring our relationship with nature. —Carolyn Herriot, author of The Zero-Mile Diet and A Year on the Garden Path

There is no more formidable force, nor stronger voice, for organic farming on Vancouver Island than Saanich Organics. Heather, Rachel, and Robin have proven that being good stewards of the land, mentoring an entire generation of young farmers, and running a successful business can be mutually compatible. —David Mincey, Executive Chef/Co-owner, Camille's Restaurant

The best introduction to farming I've ever seen. A fantastic book in all respects! —Dan Jason, Salt Spring Seeds

All the Dirt is literary fertilizer for the mind and a feast for the eyes . . . You'll never look at the people behind the vibrant veggies at your local farmers' market the same way after this read. Organic farmers could ask for no better ambassadors than these three courageous, hard-working, funny, thoughtful women. —Alberta Views

The really great thing about this book is that although it is a how-to book, it is told through the personal stories of the three authors, so you never feel bogged down in technical talk. —Don Genova's Blog

Part inspiration, part manifesto, and part reality check, All the Dirt goes beyond being a handbook of farming know how to passionately illustrate life on today's next-gen farm. . . . Informative, timely and well written, All the Dirt is a must-read insider's account of farming today on Vancouver Island. —Gary Hynes, EAT Magazine

All the Dirt: Reflections on Organic Farming is the would-be organic farmer's answer book . . . A how-to book with heart and soul. —January Magazine

This timely publication will give assistance to novices, more experienced growers and budding environmentalists . . . [an] amazing hands-on book. —Winnipeg Free Press

The book offers readers an insightful and inspiring look into the lives of three organic farmers with plenty of local flavour—including sections on deer fencing, the reign of the slugs and coping with exhaustion. . . . As much as All the Dirt charts the success of three organic farms and their families, it doesn't gloss over any of the challenges faced by today's farmers. —Gulf Islands Driftwood

A remarkable documentation of the personal journey toward a successful career for each of the three young authors revealing her committed and passionate attachment to the land . . . All the Dirt is a unique book: it is extremely well written, clearly organized, peppered with beautiful (at times mouth-watering) coloured photographs. The entire design of the book is remarkable and its production is first-rate. —Canadian Organic Growers Magazine

Rich with wonderful stories about life on the farm. —Times Colonist

While All the Dirt is intended to help people who might undertake organic farming . . . it also has wider appeal. The stories are well told, informative and entertaining, with the human element always at the forefront. Each of the authors has had a different journey and approach and they offer inspiring examples of what is to be gained from trying to live with strength and determination. —Jewish Independent

More than simply a how-to book on organic micro-farming . . . All the Dirt: Reflections on Organic Farming is a manual for change. —Fast Forward Weekly

Both an inspirational account of modern agricultural life and a cautionary tale of long hours and low pay . . . All The Dirt provides answers rooted in real-world experience, both successes and failures. The authors' exuberance for their lifestyle choice . . . comes through clearly, as does the growth in material rewards they gleaned from gaining skill, knowledge and experience. For those in love with the idea of sustainable farming, but who harbour doubts about the life it entails, All The Dirt just might tip you in the right direction. —The Vancouver Sun

All the Dirt: Reflections on Organic Farming was named one of six must-read Canadian food books by the Globe and Mail.

From the Publisher