Jodie Van Nistlerooy began farming seven years ago, but it was only three years ago that she moved out of her backyard and onto farmland in Lethbridge county.
“You can start with a tomato bed and end with a 14 acre farm, if that’s where you want to go,” Nistlerooy said “It’s all about your commitment to it and your enjoyment of it.”
Nistlerooy and co-owner Moira Watson started Fork in the Rowed farms three years ago.
“There’s nothing nicer than walking out into your backyard and harvesting something for supper.” Nistlerooy said.
It is this farm to table mentality that pushed Nistlerooy to supply local and sustainable food to Southern Albertans.
“People are so detached from where their food comes from, or how it grows, or the method by which its grown,” Nistlerooy said “It’s nice to be able to come out and actually know your farmer.”
In January through November, Fork in the Rowed farms produces everything from brussels sprouts and carrots to garlic and corn. The sustainable operation uses solar power, rain water, and a lot of manual labour to harvest the crops.
“The flavour is off the charts different, especially on a few items like tomatoes. Strawberries is a big one. You don’t even have the same taste that you would in a grocery store.”
Fresh taste isn’t the only benefit to shopping local; it keeps money in the community and promotes food sustainability.
Growing a variety of fruits and vegetables in Alberta can difficult during the winter, but Nistlerooy says it can be done.
“We use season extension techniques – things like greenhouses, and hoop houses to capture the solar energy and store it. It extends our season just that extra bit longer.”
Fork in the Rowed employs seven workers and supplies seasonal produce to farmer’s markets located in Calgary and Lethbridge.
“I don’t aspire to get rich or anything like that. We don’t want to grow too large because we want to remain sustainable, and be able to continue to growing a number of crops as opposed to mono-cropping.”
Farming plays an important part of the history and economy of Southern Alberta, and by improving suitability it can continue to grow in new ways.
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