Sooke Farmer2Farmer 

The Sooke Farmer2Farmer Network was proposed by Food CHI and has been supported by Juan de Fuca CRD Economic Development and the Community Food Action Initiative of VIHA.

Sooke F2F is intended to help strengthen the farming community of the Sooke region and seeks to cultivate a strong network of farmers in the area by strengthening communication, cooperation and marketing systems. Sooke F2F provides opportunities for shared learning and cooperative resource use among existing farmers and to extend these opportunities to emerging farmers in the region.

The final report for the 2011/2012 F2F project can be found here. 

Summaries of each of the following events can be found on the Sooke Region Farmers list serve. To subscribe to the list serve, email info@sookefoodchi.ca for an invitation or email Sookeregionfarmers-subscribe@yahoogroups.ca. 

January 2012 – Farm Insurance – we invited an insurance broker with extensive farm experience to respond to questions about the types of coverage available and useful to farmers.

March 2012 – Farmers & Government – a short presentation, followed by Q&A, by a panel of government staff (Sooke, CRD, Ministry of Agriculture, Canadian Food Inspection Agency)

December 2012 – Growing Your Business & Farming Together – a discussion with two principals of Saanich Organics, a collaborative business venture

January 2013 – Growing Your Business and Marketing Skills – a discussion with Candace Thompson of Eagle Paws Organics on short and long term business growth and marketing .

Each time our Sooke farmer group has gotten together has been interesting and fruitful.  We would like to have a number of get-together in 2013- hands-on workshops/skill sharing, tours and work parties at each others farms, and speakers and discussion topics to address our needs as farmers whose primary income if from agriculture. Ideas for future meetings welcome. Come out and get together with other farmers in the community. 

In 2013, Sooke F2F will be growing. We now have a Farm Advisory Committee to offer guidance and advise to the Food CHI board on pressing issues and needed supports for our local farmers. 

To join the network or learn more about it, contact info@sookefoodchi.ca.