{"id":2738,"date":"2015-10-28T13:32:11","date_gmt":"2015-10-28T13:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/carleton.ca\/communityfirst\/?p=1674"},"modified":"2016-01-15T13:41:39","modified_gmt":"2016-01-15T18:41:39","slug":"the-future-of-food-is-local-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/communityfirst\/2015\/the-future-of-food-is-local-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The Future of Food is Local"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Julie Bourassa, CFICE Volunteer<\/em><\/p>\n

Food sustainability and climate change are increasingly urgent and intertwined issues. From the way we produce and package our food, to how much we consume \u2013 our relationship with food is not sustainable.<\/p>\n

While these are global issues, a powerful solution can be found in our very own local farmer\u2019s markets.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn many ways, small scale farming and local food systems are the best structures for supporting sustainable agriculture,\u201d explains Melissa Johnston, a Master\u2019s student in Trent University\u2019s Sustainability Studies program.<\/p>\n

To keep afloat, many small-scale growers must use alternative business models and practices, which are often more sustainable. Planting diverse crops, avoiding the use of chemicals, and not using large machinery are all innovative \u2013 and environmentally friendly \u2013 ways in which small scale farmers are facing environmental challenges.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd farmer\u2019s markets give an outlet for these small scale farmers who may otherwise not be able to compete on a larger, supermarket scale,\u201d says Johnston. \u201cAnd local markets reduce food transport. So by choosing local markets, you\u2019re contributing to a healthier environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnston was first struck by the potential of local food initiatives after visiting Abbey Gardens<\/a>, a community project that encourages visitors to think more sustainably about food, land, and the local economy. Stopping by Abbey Gardens after an academic retreat, she and her colleagues were given a tour by Operations Director, Heather Reid.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was blown away by the place and was asking a million questions,\u201d says Johnston. \u201cHeather saw that I was quite interested and we met over the next few months to discuss my potential involvement in a local research project.\u201d<\/p>\n

With support from CFICE\u2019s Community Environmental Sustainability Hub, Johnston was able to officially partner with Abbey Gardens.<\/p>\n

As part of the partnership, Johnston gained hands-on experience in the world of small scale agriculture. From working in the fields, to managing Abbey Gardens\u2019 tables at farmer\u2019s markets, Johnston also engaged with some of the community\u2019s farmers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough my conversations with people, I got a great snapshot of the Haliburton County food system and where local growers and farmer\u2019s markets fit within it,\u201d said Johnston.<\/p>\n

\"While<\/a>

While partnering with Abbey Gardens, Melissa Johnston experienced sustainable farming first hand. Photo credit: Abbey Gardens.<\/p><\/div>\n

In return for access to the community, Johnston provided weekly reflections. These reports offered new analysis and critiques of Haliburton\u2019s food system, which were of benefit to Reid and other community food advocates.<\/p>\n

Johnston specifically remembers Reid telling her that, being lost in the day to day shuffle, it was nice to take a step back with her and see the bigger picture.<\/p>\n

While the season is wrapping up, and her work with Abbey Gardens has ended, the benefits of the partnership continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy relationship with Heather continues,\u201d says Johnston. \u201cShe has offered to support and advise me through the process of writing my thesis.\u201d<\/p>\n

As she moves into the writing stage of her thesis, Johnston hopes her research will give back to local farmer\u2019s markets and strengthen the agricultural community.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoing into my Master\u2019s, I knew I wanted to help real people with real problems, and not just write a thesis that would sit on a shelf and gather dust,\u201d says Johnston. \u201cI want to find ways in which the community can support local farmers, and how local farmers can better serve the community.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Julie Bourassa, CFICE Volunteer Food sustainability and climate change are increasingly urgent and intertwined issues. From the way we produce and package our food, to how much we consume \u2013 our relationship with food is not sustainable. While these are global issues, a powerful solution can be found in our very own local farmer\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[89,1],"tags":[394,395,396,397,398],"yoast_head":"\nThe Future of Food is Local - Community First<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"By Julie Bourassa, CFICE Volunteer Food sustainability and climate change are increasingly urgent and intertwined issues. 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