For Renee Delaney, food sustainability is an important topic. It was part of the reason she founded Small Scale Farms more than a decade ago.
Food sovereignty is another issue close to Delaney’s heart.
“If we don't start growing our own food, there's going to be no food left,” she tells ThoroldToday.
For Delaney, growing your own food is an “element of what it means to be human.”
“Providing for your family and taking care of yourself — eating healthy — these types of things are paramount. For me, that's the base core of it,” she says.
Small Scale Farms is located in Allanburg and its farmland encompasses over 15 acres, on which numerous plants and vegetables are grown. There's also livestock and bees.
Delaney, along with her team, have worked hard to increase food security in the Niagara region by working with local farmers in order to create a sustainable food chain that gets healthy produce into the hands of those who need it the most.
“The crew is just amazing,” she says, calling it “a social enterprise approach.”
Now that Small Scale Farms has made a name for themselves, they are looking at new partnerships and relationships, to collaborate and promote other local farms.
“We want to get everyone a little bit better educated in terms of how important this is and why we do what we do and why we're so fanatical about it,” Delaney says.
To help spread that awareness, Small Scale Farms began hosting the Red Maple Farm School, in late April. The farm school covers an introduction to farming, homesteading, bees and making your own medicine.
And later this summer the farm will be hosting an event called MushFest that will be all about mushrooms.
“We're going to be talking a lot about mushrooms,” Delaney says, adding there will be other specialists on site.
At the moment, Delaney is getting the farm ready for tours.
“We are trying to invite people to come experience farm life, to experience the animals and take a peek at how to grow food and understand it's not as intimidating as it may seem,” she says.
Delaney has some tips for anyone who may be interested in growing their own food.
She says it doesn't require a large area to get started. For example, you could begin with a four-by-eight-foot garden bed. Then, make a list of what you want to eat and get one of each plant.
“Don't overwhelm yourself,” emphasizes Delaney. “Plant about 10 things. Give it enough space to grow. Research what the plant needs – how much sun it needs and nutrients and whatnot. But it doesn't have to be complicated.”
Most people tend to be afraid of the on-going maintenance required, but that’s why it’s important to take it slow.
“The opposite is true,” Delaney says. “You want more next year. You're not overwhelmed and you're inspired and you're like 'wow that tomato was so good. What else can I grow?'”
If you are still having troubles, she suggests seeking out a mentor or more experienced gardener for tips and tricks.
To learn more about Small Scale Farms, visit smallscalefarms.ca.
