Local Food Micro-loan Fund
Upscaling Local Food Production Through Lending
FarmFolk CityFolk (FFCF), the Island Chef’s Collabrative (ICC), and Vancity have partnered to offer zero interest micro loans to local food producers. The aim of the fund is to provide capital for farmers, fishers, ranchers, harvesters and processors to invest in equipment and materials that allows them to increase the supply of local food in their region.
Community Farms
The Community Farms Program is at the forefront of encouraging alternative forms of land ownership to ensure our agricultural lands remain in production in perpetuity. We help landowners, farmers, and local communities develop and support community farm models in BC, conserve farmland, and build healthy, local food systems. More…
Seed Security – BC Seeds project
Our BC Organic Seed Strategy project, in partnership with several seed producers throughout BC, has created a database of organic seeds currently being produced in the province. We have produced a "best practices" guide to running an on-farm seed saving business that is available in print and electronic formats. More…
BC Seeds website
Grain Chain
Our grain project aims to expand the production of grains, flour and bread in SW BC where there is an increasing number of farmers growing grain. The goal of this project is to network the growers and to provide workshops around planting, growing methods, harvesting, milling and baking. We've been working with Chris Hergesheimer, our grain researcher, who completed his MA in Sociology (SFU 2009) with this thesis "Weaving chains of grain: Exploring the stories, links and boundaries of small scale grain initiatives in Southwestern British Columbia." Visit the Urban Grains website for the grain CSA part of the project.