by Jo Barnes | photos by Amanda Cribdon Photography –
When starting out in life, some seek fame. Some desire fortune. But for two young men, it’s about putting food on the table.
Garrett Simon Gardner and Ben Kjernisted, owners of Farm or Die Agricultural Solutions in North Saanich, are two farmers in their 20s whose enthusiasm and determination translates into a nourishing harvest and an example of the importance of local food security.
They are a new generation of farmers, inspired by YouTube videos, and growing produce on family land.
“Ben’s grandma was a farmer, and she owns Whiteoak Farm which is where we grow our produce,” shares Garrett. “We’ve done a lot of research. There are all kinds of videos on YouTube about farming in backyards or farming a small parcel of land.”
To date, the two young farmers have grown microgreens, lettuce, salad greens, cucumbers, carrots, chives, cherry tomatoes, onions and summer squash. They sell their produce to various markets including Esquimalt Market, James Bay Market, Saanich Market (fairgrounds), and Oakland Sunset Market.
Their interest in farming is underlined by a core philosophy: “We want to create access to good food and increase people’s food literacy,” shares Garrett. Ben adds: “We want to get back to our roots with sustainable work. I’m interested in a healthy lifestyle and growing a natural product that is beneficial to people in the long term.”
The two were formerly involved in the music scene on the mainland. “We were working in the music industry,” says Garrett. “I was involved in the technical side. Ben was going to recording school. He’s a very talented musician.”
The unusual business name – Farm or Die – is derived from the name of a music studio in the house in which they lived. “Farm or Die; the name is hard to miss,” shares Ben. “It’s simple and resonates. It’s a bold image that we hope inspires younger demographics.”
The two roommates spent time outside of work caring for the gardens around their residence. “We were always gardening at the homes we were renting,” says Garrett.
A longing for more meaningful work, coupled with a growing interest in farming, prompted the two to relocate to the Saanich Peninsula. “I had a need for deeper work, work that responded to a core need in the community,” says Garrett.
Garrett and Ben attended a local forum focusing on a healthy and sustainable food system around the Capital Regional District.
“In 2018, we went to the Good Food Summit at UVic,” says Garrett. “It was all about the economic and academic side of farming. Food security is a big issue on the Island.”
Principles of sustainability inform their approach, including crop rotation, maximizing biodiversity, composting routines, and low impact techniques.
“We use heavy crop rotation and learn about and work with pest cycles,” says Garrett. “We are low to no till. We use a two-wheel tractor with low emissions, a rotary harrow, and hand tools like rakes and broadfork.
These approaches reduce the negative impact on soil that can occur with more traditional farming methods.
Produce is grown without use of chemicals or pesticides. “We use a lot of organic matter, about a three- to six-inch layer of excellent local compost,” adds Garrett.
A drive to improve soil quality is key. “If you build better soil, it holds more carbon and water,” says Garrett. “You reduce the water loss with high quality soil.”
Growing the produce and running the business side of things means detailed planning and long hours. “It is a high volume of work and labour intensive. We have to focus on the entire season, not just the moment, so you have to plan forward,” shares Ben.
The business was very new when the pandemic arrived, but despite initial challenges, the situation brought positive results and an affirmation of the path they had chosen. “Market traffic was low in the first couple of weeks, but markets got back up,” says Garrett. “I am grateful for my work. With the pandemic, the music industry halted, and I knew a lot of good friends who were out of business.”
The path to success frequently includes learning from your mistakes. “Life is short. Failure is where all the learning comes,” shares Garret. “You have to try things and take risks.”
It’s spring and a new season is underway. The hours will still be long, and the labour intensive, but these two young farmers are committed to the work. “It’s like that phrase, ‘don’t be part of the problem; be part of the solution,'” remarks Garrett. “You’re more than a farmer; you’re part of the community.”
Their goal of putting food on the table is so much more than striving to offer healthy choices. It’s striving for food security for our community using a sustainable approach.
