Farmer

In the latest episode of The Edible Valley Podcast, hosts Jonathan Frazier and William Stringer are joined by Mary-Jane Douglas, co-owner of Ridgewood Farm in Merville and an active member of the BC Cattlemen’s Association. Mary-Jane shares insights into her commitment to raising beef, eggs, and pork with sustainable practices, which are offered at the Comox Valley Farmer’s Market. She also highlights her excitement for “Burger It Forward,” a Canada-wide initiative launched by Canada’s beef farmers to support community restaurants and food banks. Last year, the campaign raised over $67,000, and organizers aim to expand BC’s participation in 2025. Mary-Jane encourages Vancouver Island restaurants to get involved, emphasizing the pride local farmers feel in supporting this community giveback program.

CSA's (community supported agriculture) or just 'farm boxes' are a great way to help your local farmers and yourself, with the freshest local produce available. This week Jon and William welcome Arzeena from Amara Farms back to the show and Courtney from Peas and Love Produce. We discuss how you can get involved with your local Comox Valley farm, how it's done and what to expect!

This week we go to the very origins of farming in the Comox Valley, we talk about seeds! Good Earth Farms Seeds based out of Black Creek take things back to basics with a non-nonsense approach to farming and growing a truly local product. Join us, as we explore our Edible Valley!

Our listeners asked for it, and now we are doing it, this show is about BURGERS. Everybody likes burgers right? But are all burgers equal? In this episode of the Edible Valley Podcast we break down to the minutest detail everything that makes a good burger, from the protein, the best cut of meat, the bread, sauces and even toppings. This episode will you the key to making the burger this is guarantee to satisfy even the fussiest palate. 

Welcome to this second episode of The Edible Valley Podcast with Gerry Pattison of Pattison farm. In this episode we talk about organic farming , the rewards and challenges of this farming practice. Some may have said in the beginning this would be a fad, but we are lucky to learn some of the tricks of the trade that have help this farm long running farm become such an icon in the Comox Valley. 

Chef Jonathan and Darren are on location at Pattison Farms for today's episode. Gerry (the owner) takes us through the wonderful history of the farm, and the various trials and tribulations traversed to get to where the farm is today - one of the valley's most cherished and venerated farms!

Hey Everyone! In this episode ,we were both rapt with attention as Logan had so much incredible information to share. The episode is packed with tidbits and insights about where we are headed as a community in seaweed farming, harvesting, and consuming. I genuinely cannot wait to have back on the show next year to check in with all of the developments in this exciting new field!

 
As promised, today we present to you the full recording of our culinary adventure at Clever Crow farm last week. Listen in for the deep dive into techniques, methods, and chef tricks and all of the laughs and great conversation had with our wonderful audience.

Welcome to the Edible Valley Podcast. This is Episode 178, and today we are with Sharon Janzen from Alderlane Farmhouse Bakery. Sharon grew up in Vancouver and always had an entrepreneurial flair, spending a lot of her time making and selling things—starting with sling-style baby carriers, which she made and then sold across Canada.
Then she moved to Thetis Island, as her husband got a new job at a children’s camp. Sharon decided to start experimenting with baking and selling cinnamon buns, thus laying the groundwork for the future Alderlane Farmhouse Bakery.
In 2000 she moved to Vancouver Island. After gaining more baking experience, she saw an opportunity to sell goods from a wicker basket in the schools and businesses throughout the valley. She started by placing a basket in the staff room at Miracle Beach Elementary and Black Creek Elementary, where teachers and staff paid for goods using the honour system. She then quickly moved on to selling at offices, car dealerships, and dentists, operating the entire business just out of the back of her Volkswagen Jetta. 
Word of her delicious baking spread throughout the valley, and people started asking Sharon if she was at any farmers’ markets. In response, she scaled up her business and started selling at the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market. Her husband, who is a crucial support, retrofitted her equipment with wheels so she could operate efficiently and continue to grow her business. 
We have a lot to share with you about this incredible story of Canadian entrepreneurialism. Edible Valley is very proud to introduce Sharon Janzen. 

 
On this episode, our guest Diane Jackson moved to the valley four years ago from Vancouver where she met her partner Andrew who along with Diane also had a huge passion and desire for a simpler way of life and to farm, they set out creating a list of things that needed to get done, starting with moving here and it is a list they continue to use today. But Diane's passion for all things local and farming can be traced much further back to her time in Toronto where she trained as a sommelier with the international sommeliers guild, …..armed with this knowledge and passion she went on to open a successful casual fine dining restaurant in Flesherton, an all season town of 800 people in rural Ontario. 
But after many happy years she heard her province of BC calling her home and moved to Osoyoos where she was a sommelier before eventually heading home to Vancouver where she met Andrew and started her plans for what we now know as Fitzgerald Farms. 
 
If you wish to learn more about the Farm here are a few easy way to contact Diane
Address:  Fitzgerald Farm 
                6499 Fitzgerald Road
                Courtenay BC, Canada
Facebook: Fitzgerald Farm
Email: dianejackson22@gmail.com
Phone Number: 250-485-2487