Farmer

How lucky are we?! We got to sit down with The Comox Valley Canning Company to discuss canning and preserves with the exuberant and vivacious owner, JJ! Let's talk about the bounty and harvest of everything good about the Valley and harnessing it in a jar for later indulgences! 

Today, Jon and Darren talk about the relationship between chef and farmer. Not just how they play an important role in each other's lives, but the rippling effect outward, and how far it reaches in the community, local economy, and even food trends. The give and take back and forth plays a strong role in the identity of each other's business and persona. Listen in as we discuss what we feel are the 10 most compelling points.  

Do you eat, drink, think, local? We have “Edible Vancouver Island” to talk with us about their new with quarterly publication and online resource, committed to celebrating and promoting the local food and drink culture of Vancouver Island. Dawn Postnikoff (Publisher / Editor) and Danika McDowell (Creative Director) join us to discuss their new project. 

After a long break Jonathan and Darren are back from a busy summer and ready to start interviewing again.  A new event “Farm Fresh Soup Fest” is coming to the Comox Valley. This food competition being hosted at the Black Creek Community Centre with the help of Lush Valley is sure to be a hit. With 10 local chefs using locally sourced ingredients to create masterful soups for 150 lucky guest. In this episode we talk with Jessie Gill marketing and event coordinator for the Black Creek Community centre and learn about the event. We also learn about some of our favourite soup and what goes into a great soup.

Today we bring back two of our very first guests on the podcast: Lia and BrianMcCormick.  We always like catching up with our old neighbours, and this episode is no exception. The Clever Crow duo run a farm filled with ducks and chickens; a store featuring the ever popular and locally produced hand harvested salts; cooking classes; and soon a commercial kitchen. 

 
 With the new year upon us Darren and Jonathan spend time discussing 2017 and the events surrounding it. This is a chance for the two to reminisce about the previous year. From farming to food banks, they discuss all the interesting events and people they had the fortune of meeting. Darren and Jonathan also spend some time planning for upcoming food challenges, topics, and their ability to interview and learn more in the upcoming year. Feel free to join with us.

Allain Lepine from 'Island of Eden Farms' joins Chef Jonathan and Darren tonight to talk about their use of hydroponics to grow local greens and veggies. Starting their farm within a 2.5m x 2.5m x 12m space, they make great use of newer farming techniques, such as vertical and horizontal farming. With the ablility to produce fresh greens year long, and no need of pesticides or herbicides. Listen in to learn more!   

Lucky us! Tonight, we get to talk to Eduardo Uranga and Thierry Vrain (and Ivan Loubier) of the CCAC - The Community Created Agricultural Co-op. An ambitious venture - they aim to acquire agricultural land to grow pesticide and antibiotic free foods for 300 families. Listen in and see just how far they've come, how well planned and sourced this project is, and how you can still get involved before it's too late! 

 
It’s fruit picking time again. This time we have a chance to talk with James McKerricher of Lush Valley to find out what’s happening with their fruit picking program and other programs with Lush Valley.
www.lushvalley.org
Phone: 250-331-0152 
Email: admin@lushvalley.org
Mail: PO Box 20008, Courtenay, BC V9N 0A7
 

Chef Jonathan Frazier and Darren Howlett sit down with Chanchal Cabrera of Innisfree Farm. Chanchal brings us up to speed on all of the changes that have happened at the farm since the last time we checked in with Innisfree Farm. Most notably, the change to 'Innisfrfee Farm and Botanical Garden'. This is an exciting time for the Chanchal, Thierry and the farm, as this designation does not come lightly or easily. Listen in as she explains all they have had to do and want to do with the beautiful space that is Innisfree, including the upcoming Herb Gathering, daily tours of the gardens, apprenticeship programs, harvests, and more.