We are three young farmers: Amanda, Amy and Patrick. We come from different backgrounds, but share a love for getting our hands dirty and eating the fine fruits of our labour. We see great opportunities within our local food system: fantastic growing conditions, access to markets and renewed support for local food. Yet at the same time, the percentage of our population involved in food production is dwindling. There is a need for new farmers to work the land and revitalize our local food system. We know food and farming are important. We recognize the direct link between food and human, community and environmental health…and we’re up for the challenge!
August 2011 article featuring the Skeeter Farmer’s from the Canadian Farm Business Management Council.
Amy: I am one of the founding
farmers of Skeeter Farm, and have been farming now since 2009. Prior to this, my farming experience amounted to daydreaming about being a farmer, and the odd attempt at growing a tomato or two. I am originally from Victoria but have lived in the lower mainland for about 10 years now, mostly going to school and doing other things associated with life in the city. I am currently a Master’s student in Resource and Environmental Management and I also have a background in agroecology. Studying agriculture at school taught me some really neat stuff about soil science, food security and important things like that…but it certainly didn’t teach me how to grow anything. That was one of the main reasons Skeeter Farm was started – to learn all the skills and tricks one needs to know to be a successful farmer. I have now moved from the city and live on the farm in Yarrow.
Pat: I am the newest farmer at Skeeter
Farm, joining the ranks in the Fall of 2010. I have always enjoyed working hard, spending time outside, and eating good food. Farming has been a great way to combine all three in addition to learning what it takes to produce the food we love. Farming has been a completely new experience for me and I have enjoyed (almost) every minute of it 
. I am originally from Ontario, but studied in Montreal and traveled around a fair bit before landing in BC in 2008 to pursue a Master’s degree in Resource and Environmental Management (Planning). I am now a happy Farmer at Skeeter Farm in addition to working as an Environmental Consultant. I live on the farm in Yarrow, BC.
Amanda:
Hello all, I am Amanda Smith, and truthfully, I like to get my hands dirty. This year is my third year of farming, and there is no better day, in my opinion, than spending a hot summer day out in the field, managing and harvesting that week’s crops. Farming has really taken a large part of my interest over the last few years. After years of schooling doing an arts degree, I realize now, I maybe should have been in the horticultural sector?
I joined Skeeter Farm in 2010 as a farm intern. This was a great opportunity to get acquainted with a great multitude of things, anywhere to markets, crops, to CSA logistics. After this experience, I knew that farming was a great contribution to our local food system. Being at a farmer’s market to me was the best way for farmers to get out into the community, and it allowed for customers to ask questions and learn new things (and learn new ways to cook beets!). In the end, I knew getting my hands dirty, and getting involved in veggie farming, was a something I had to do.
While I am passionate about farming, and our local food systems, I still manage to work full time as a sales manager in Langley. Being this busy has it drawbacks and rewards, but spending my vacation days from my daily work out in the field is a great sacrifice I would do without a second thought. As my interest in our local fruits and veggies grow, my mind seems to never stop. Even with not enough hours in the day, I still manage to indulge myself, and study all things relevant, even apple pruning!
