EP12: Back to the family farm: My generation‘s turn at farming (with Sarah Dolomore, Mount Wolfe Farm)

Summary

This episode is an insightful conversation with one of our closest farmers, Sarah Dolomore from Mount Wolfe Farm. In this episode, Sarah shares her journey in transitioning to the farmlife by inheriting a family farm property and making it progress. She also shares some tips for starting a farm business and for creating an effective farm community. Moreover, Sarah discusses the programs and methods Mount Wolfe Farm applies to make their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) a success.

Connect with us on:

• Instagram: @cavaleirofarm
• Facebook: @cavaleirofarm
• Website (Cavaleiro Farm): http://cavaleiro.farm/
• Website (Urban Crops): https://urbancrops.ca/
• Email: antonio@cavaleiro.farm

Connect with Mount Wolfe Farm on:

• Instagram: @mount.wolfe.farm
• Facebook: @mountwolfefarm
• Twitter: @MountWolfeFarm
• Website: https://mountwolfefarm.ca/
• Online store: https://www.localline.ca/mount-wolfe-farm

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Timestamps:

00:24: Introducing our closest vegetable farmer Sarah Dolomore (Mount Wolfe Farm)

02:38: Sarah shares background and history about their family farm property

04:32: Seeing an opportunity to create a possibility for the family farm’s ‘rebirth’

05:15: When Sarah started getting into farming and moving back home

06:00: The opportunity of access to land through family inheritance is an advantage

06:59: Mount Wolfe Farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) business story

09:18: Developing several options for CSA members such as the Point System

12:00: Considering customers’ needs and providing people a good experience

13:06: Eating vegetables, grocery dollars, the economy, and ecological integrity

13:40: Things that helped Mounte Wolfe Farm be progressive and profitable

15:45: What happened when COVID-19 hit

16:23 Sarah’s advice for farmers starting a business:look for opportunities that your land based provide in terms of how you can diversify your income streams

17:06: The family and team behind Mount Wolfe Farm

19:30: A farm is not just a place to buy produce, it’s also a place for relationship building with people and nature

23:02: Mount Wolfe Farm’s Work Share Program as affordable, interactive, and inclusive option for CSA members

26:22: Insights from community members: people want to feel involved in something bigger than themselves

27:45: The novel opportunity of having people from very diverse backgrounds get together and relate with each other

28:50: To be an effective farm manager: invest in people and communication skills

29:59: People’s perception of producing and consuming local food

31:42: Eco-anxiety, access to food, and self-sufficiency

34:05: Farmlife is not all rainbows

34:40: Transitioning to farmlife: how farmers can move forward and take advantage of opportunities

36:25: What a farm’ community members value: it’s more than just the vegetables, it’s the experiential element

39:20: Summarizing lessons and insights from Sarah

40:05: Sarah acknowledges all the people who made Mount Wolfe Farm possible

41:33: How to connect with Mount Wolfe Farm