on March 26, 2010
The Bowen Island Undercurrent published an abbreviated version of this story.
Bowen actually has quite a few farmers. To name one: Clemencia Braraten. We dropped in last summer at Primrose Farm on Harding Road to talk with Clemencia. She was busy grinding barley for her chickens with a metate y mano (a flat stone and rock used for grinding corn in Mexico).
How long have you been farming?
Since I married Mike—23 years ago. I started out with chicks and chickens first. But I don’t do commercial scale. (She also has just about everything you can imagine: vegetables, apples, pears, berries, soya beans, bees, goats, turkeys.)
How did you get into it?
I’ve been farming since I was born. My mother raised cows and pigs in Mexico. I learned everything from her.
What do you love about it?
Everything! I like plants and everything that goes with them. I leave the mess in the house, and I go! I like the animals, too. I have 27 goats.
Why should folks buy local?
Because it’s clean. I don’t use any pesticides. I don’t spray nothing. I only use goat manure. I don’t like chemicals in my garden. Mine is natural.
What’s your pet peeve these days when it comes to food and agriculture?
They put so much fertilizer and chemicals in everything. It’s not right! It’s why we are getting cancer in our bodies. Why? We think we’re eating good, and we’re not. It’s terrible.
What’s your favourite island-grown fruit or veggie to enjoy in August?
Beans, beets, broccoli, fresh potatoes, corn…
Can islanders buy from you?
Anybody can drop by. Any time.
