Farmer

Eatmore Sprouts has been a symbol of Comox Valley organic farming for decades with their little operation on the north end of Courtenay, and spreading their lovely product all around western Canada. This episode of Edible Valley we welcome Angie and Amy, two talented ladies left with the enviable task of re-vitalizing the dormant market garden on the Eatmore site. With copious amounts of beautiful organic compost they have quickly created a wonderful environment to grow a large variety of vegetables, from summer squash, spinach, carrots, asian greens, pumpkins, kales, broccoli and so much more. Angie and Amy hope to continue to market this produce all winter long at the Comox Valley Farmers Market, as well as selling at Seeds Food Market and Edible Island. Thank you ladies for your story and input on our local food scene. See you at the Market.

Upcoming Events courtesy of Hans Peter Meyer. Thank you for your contribution to Edible Valley. Visit Hans' site Eat Drink Comox Valley for the full list of events.

With Jon away for this weeks recording, Blayne needed a guest and co-host, so he thought that Arzeena Hamir for Amara Farm would fill this role perfectly. The topic of this episode it winter gardening. The Comox Valley has an excellent climate for harvesting vegetables all winter long. If you have been interested in trying out some winter gardening, this episode will have some great tips for you. Remember to keep supporting our local farmers this winter as many of them will have fresh vegetables available during the "off season" Stop by and say Hi to Arzeena at the Market and pick up some Kale, Bok Choy, Mustard greens and many other delicious, fresh veggies. Thanks for being a good sport for join the podcast, and for having such a great community spirit Arzeena.
Up Coming Events:

Blayne was fortunate to be allowed to wander the grounds of "Flavour-The North Islands Gourmet Picnic" at Coastal Black Winery this past Sunday. Armed with an iPhone, he wrangled a few interviews from willing participants. Some past guests and some new voices that we hope to have in studio at some point. Thanks to all involved in making this event such a huge success. Look for Flavour 2013, and get tickets early, as it is sure to sell out fast!

As we mentioned last week in the Edible Valley, Jon and Blayne had the opportunity to visit Island Bison as part of the North Vancouver Island Chefs Associations meeting. We had a facinating tour and informative conversation with Mark Vance, owner of Island Bison. Mark, along with his wife Lisa and four children, and mother and father purchased Island Bison about a year and a half ago. With no farming background of this scale, just the dream and passion the farm is running successfully and they are having a great time with this new adventure. Bison are an amazing animal that was brought back from the brink of extinction. While the population is still a sliver of what it once was, it is being successfully farmed as alternative meat source to beef and farm raised venison. Thanks Mark for sharing your story. Check Island Bisons website at islandbison.com and you can find the product at the Saturday farmers market, Seeds grocery in Cumberland and Edible Island in Courtenay.

September 23rd- Flavour the North Vancouver Island Gourmet Picnic.  SOLD OUT. If you did not get a ticket for this years event, keep your eyes peeled for it again in 2013. I do believe the organizers are still looking for volunteers so this may be a way in. Contact them through the site. Visit the beautiful grounds of Coastal Black Winery and sample products from dozens of chefs and farmers from around the Comox Valley. Once again, Jon will be wearing many hats at this event. Blayne will be walking around and eating, what he does best! Island Soda Works will also be dishing out samples at this wonderful event.
October 5 and 6-The Foggy Mountain Fall Fair in Cumberland. Come for the pie of the year contest, apple sports, crafts, walking and biking tours and so much more. For more information check this link
The Comox Valley $100 dollar challenge. Join our initiative and help to keep dollars in the local economy.
Of course the Comox Valley Farmers Market twice weekly Saturday 9-12 at the Fair Grounds on Headquarters and Wednesday from 9-12 at the Comox Bay Farm.
If you are enjoying the podcast we would appreciate it if you would help us by hitting our donate button. Every little bit helps us to keep our hosting site paid up and maybe sponsor one of our pre-game meals.
Thanks for listening to our podcast. For suggestions or feedback please contact us ediblevalley@gmail.com, "like" our facebook page and follow our twitter feed @ediblevalley

This week we had a great opportunity for two guests. The episode runs longer a little longer than we usually shoot for, but it is full of good information.

Allen McWilliam from Tannadice Farm has been farming in the Comox Valley since 1974. He and his wife moved here and began their farm on 15 acres in Dove Creek and now they have become the biggest pork producer on Vancouver Island. The farm has grown to 105 acres, and also includes grass fed Black Angus beef and pastured poultry. Tannadice has the highest standards for the health of the pigs, keeping the herd healthy so they rarely need medications. Find Tannadice products at Butchers Block and Edible Island in Courtenay and Seeds in Cumberland. Thanks Allen, you are a doing things the right way and the Valley is lucky to have you.

Tara Grant is Primal Girl. This San Francisco CA based blogger has been writing about her un-successful results with western medicine and journey into the Primal lifestyle, along the way losing over 100 pounds and healing herself of many illnesses that conventional doctors couldn't. Her and Blayne connected on Twitter and by chance she happened to be in Comox for a few weeks. A coffee meeting yesterday resulted in her appearance on Edible Valley. She loves the area and is jealous of the amount of varied and vibrant agriculture and fabulous restaurants. Tara you are welcome back to the podcast anytime, and we look forward to taking you oyster picking when you come back in the winter. If you are interested in Primal/Paleo read Tara's blog for great information on the movement.
Upcoming events:
Chefs Day at the Farmers Market September 8th. Come cheer Jon on as he helps to create from the bounty of the market.
September 23rd- Flavour the North Vancouver Island Gourmet Picnic. Visit the beautiful grounds of Coastal Black Winery and sample products from dozens of chefs and farmers from around the Comox Valley. Once again, Jon will be wearing many hats at this event. Blayne will be walking around and eating, what he does best! Island Soda Works will also be dishing out samples at this wonderful event.
The Comox Valley $100 dollar challenge. Join our initiative and help to keep dollars in the local economy.
Of course the Comox Valley Farmers Market twice weekly Saturday 9-12 at the Fair Grounds on Headquarters and Wednesday from 9-12 at the Comox Bay Farm.
If you are enjoying the podcast we would appreciate it if you would help us by hitting our donate button. Every little bit helps us to keep our hosting site paid up and maybe sponsor one of our pre-game meals.
Thanks for listening to our podcast. For suggestions or feedback please contact us ediblevalley@gmail.com, "like" our facebook page and follow our twitter feed @ediblevalley

This week we had the pleasure to interview a relative newcomer to the Edible Valley, Arzeena Hamir. While Arzeena is new to the area, she is no stranger to the food culture. She has been involved with many different organizations over the years, including West Coast Seeds, former co-ordinator of the Richmond Food Security Council, and many non-profit societies in the Richmond area. She just returned this past weekend from the Garlic Festival in Richmond, a festival that she helped found four years ago. She has used SPIN farming(Small Plot INtensive) successfully in Richmond, growing food for a C.S.A. in the community. It was a lovely conversation full of knowledge and experience.
Thanks so much for having a visit with us Arzeena, the Edible Valley is lucky to have you growing food and sharing your wisdom.
Follow Arzeena on Twitter @arzeena
Like Amara Farm on Facebook
Mt. Washington Food and Wine Festival August 25th
The Comox Valley Exhibition at the Fairgrounds in Courtenay
Chefs Day at the Farmers Market September 8th. Come cheer Jon on as he helps to create from the bounty of the market.
September 23rd- Flavour the North Vancouver Island Gourmet Picnic. Visit the beautiful grounds of Coastal Black Winery and sample products from dozens of chefs and farmers from around the Comox Valley. Once again, Jon will be wearing many hats at this event. Blayne will be walking around and eating, what he does best! Island Soda Works will also be dishing out samples at this wonderful event.
The Comox Valley $100 dollar challenge. Join our initiative and help to keep dollars in the local economy.
Of course the Comox Valley Farmers Market twice weekly Saturday 9-12 at the Fair Grounds on Headquarters and Wednesday from 9-12 at the Comox Bay Farm.
Thanks for listening to our podcast. For suggestions or feedback please contact us ediblevalley@gmail.com, "like" our facebook page and follow our twitter feed @ediblevalley

An old co-worker of Blayne joins us in studio for this episode to talk about oyster farming. Ray Silvey is the sales manager of Fanny Bay Oysters, and has been an employee since 1994. Ray is a very informed and educated guest with a mountain of knowledge in the industry. Come along and learn something about a delicious, sustainable product grown right in our own backyard.
We had a microphone problem that we didn't know about until the episode was finished, so Ray's voice is pretty faint. Listen close because there is a lot of interesting content that Ray shares with us.
Upcoming Events
Filberg Festival and Nautical Days August 3-6th.
Comox Valley Farm Cycle Tour August 11th and 12th. For a list of participating farms check this link
Mt. Washington Food and Wine Festival August 25th
Chefs Day at the Farmers Market September 8th. Come cheer Jon on as he helps to create from the bounty of the market.
The Comox Valley $100 dollar challenge. Join our initiative and help to keep dollars in the local economy.
Of course the Comox Valley Farmers Market twice weekly Saturday 9-12 at the Fair Grounds on Headquarters and Wednesday from 9-12 at the Comox Bay Farm.
And the Campbell River Salmon Festival August 10, 11, and 12th. Visit Ray at the Fanny Bay Oysters display
Thanks for listening to our podcast. For suggestions or feedback please contact us ediblevalley@gmail.com, "like" our facebook page and follow our twitter feed @ediblevalley

Edible Valley had the privilege to visit Chris and Megan at Halstead farm in Merville B.C. for a tour of their operation, to see the organic farming process up close and personal.  We visited the chicken house and watched the birds play and eat grass and bug, viewed the Berkshire hogs being a family unit in the forest and the ewes and lambs in the field with more forage than any herbivore could ever want. Thanks to this lovely couple for their hospitality and to teach us about organic farming, animal husbandry and gum boots.
Halstead Farm website: halsteadfarm.ca
To purchase Halstead Farm product, visit them at the Comox Valley farmers market or contact through the website to buy from the farm.