on March 26, 2010
The Bowen Island Undercurrent published an abbreviated version of this story.
Bowen actually has quite a few farmers. To name two: Vivian Pearce with husband David. We dropped in last summer at the couple’s 3 ½-acre Shady Acre Farm mid-island.
How long have you been farming?
Seriously, for 12 years.
How did you get into it?
We started with a dozen chickens. From there, people wanted more eggs. So we expanded and built a double coop. As people started buying eggs, we got more and more chickens. Now we’ve got egg-laying chickens, a veggie garden, fruit trees, horses and manure (we sell a lot!).
What do you love about it?
I really like producing good food for people. I get a lot of satisfaction from that. It’s definitely not to make money! I’m also interested in how everything goes around. We feed the chickens weeds out of the garden; the chickens give us eggs and compost; and the compost goes back in the garden. We don’t waste anything! That’s one of my favourite things: that we’re able to produce so much. Our green house is totally full.
Why should folks buy local?
Oh, jeez! Quality. Knowing where your food comes from. Environmentally. Gas. Transportation. All that. The whole sustainability of the island depends on people buying locally.
What’s your pet peeve these days when it comes to food and agriculture?
One of the biggest problems is people having no concept of where their food comes from. There’s no concept that you have to start with a seed, then harvest, etc. They’ll phone and say, “I need six dozen eggs tomorrow.” They’re thinking here is like a store. It’s really a serious flaw in the whole system. Because what’s more important than food? We cannot live without it. Then there’s the whole plight of the farmers…
What’s your favourite island-grown fruit or veggie to enjoy in August?
Broccoli and zucchini. Maybe tomatoes.
Can islanders buy from you?
I cannot produce enough eggs to satisfy the market. (She has a loyal bunch of customers for eggs and chicken meat, including UBC, islanders and the Miller’s Landing Buying Group.) We sell manure in the spring, but we’re all sold out now.
