Spent the day recovering from the eventful, informative, inspiring and delicious COABC Conference that was held in Sidney, BC over the weekend. Learned lots, met some great people and saw folks I have haven’t seen in quite some time. A few stand out presentations for me included: anti-GMO MP Alex Atamanenko‘s welcome speech; the semi-virtual tour of Hermann and Louis Bruns’ Wild Flight Farm; Alec McErlich’s (Earthbound Farm) thorough review of physical and ecological weed management approaches, and Anthony Nicalo’s (Foodtree) thought provoking and personal keynote on the need for Slow Money.
The event left me both inspired and also overwhelmed – inspired because there are so many competent growers out there in BC that are innovating and pushing what is possible to achieve on one’s farm. Overwhelmed, because I have so much left to learn…
For those that missed the event, I understand that conference presentations will eventually be posted on the COABC website.
Mary Forstbauer busy knitting at the registration table.
MP Alex Atamanenko welcoming conference participants.
Hermann Bruns explaining how his packing shed pallet dollies work.
VanCity's David Berge explaining their interest and commitment to financing local food and farming initiatives.
Anthony Nicalo emphasizing the need for slow money for slow food.
COABC President, Brad Reid, honouring the conference organizers, Rochelle Eisen and Lee Fuge.
