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Welcome
Michael Ableman is a farmer, author, and photographer and a recognized practitioner of sustainable agriculture and proponent of regional food systems. He has written several books and numerous essays and articles, and lectures extensively on food, culture, and sustainability worldwide. Michael is currently farming at the Foxglove Farm on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, home of The Center for Arts, Ecology & Agriculture.
"Ableman
is a gracious rebel who knows that industrialized
farming wrings
the life out of both soil and communities.
His joy in stewardship and in people
celebrates a psychic
sustainability that won't appear on spreadsheets."
- Sierra Magazine
What's in Season...
After finding a moment for some winter rest, we are emerging with the first snowdrops to get an early start on the exciting season ahead. Sunny days inspire dreams of raspberries and hot peppers, but memories of autumn are stirred by wholesome meals prepared with hard squash and home-grown wheat.
The theme of January was greens; a myriad of kale, chard, and spinach seedlings lined the propagation house. However, these plants have a very unique fate – check out the Vancouver Art Gallery this spring for a special installation showcasing our partners SOLEfood and innovation in urban agriculture. While waiting for the groundhog to forecast our next six weeks, we began February with a mass seeding of nightshades (the family of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants). Imagining the fruition of all those beautiful heirloom varieties, the tangy sweetness of Sungold cherry tomatoes is not far from mind.
Although it will be two months until our first asparagus spears break ground, the action on the farm never ceases. Tilling in cover crops, direct seeding into prepared fields, and transplanting seedlings will set the stage for a vibrant and abundant season. These tasks are paired with equal amounts of brainstorming, planning, and preparing for our exciting workshop series, updated CSA program, and NEW onsite farmstand. This year we are expanding and enhancing our communication with the community; find us on facebook, twitter, and our NEW blog to learn about all the happenings at Foxglove Farm and in our work in Vancouver and beyond.
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