Salish Sea Regenerative Farm Society strengthens local agriculture, while fostering shíshálh First Nation partnership to employ Indigenous youth in Sechelt, B.C.
Sechelt, 11 June 2024 — Salish Sea Regenerative Farm Society (SSF) strives to establish a six-acre urban farm to bolster food security across the Sunshine Coast. This initiative grows from a successful two-acre pilot project through a new project investment with Island Coastal Economic Trust.
The Salish Seas Regenerative Urban Farm will use regenerative agriculture practices to produce food and create a circular food system that supports the local economy and provides local jobs. Through a partnership with shíshálh First Nation, the society aims to provide hands-on learning and employment opportunities to 15 Indigenous youth each summer.
The model proved economically feasible during the successful pilot phase. By establishing the existing 2-acre farm, the SSF team demonstrated their expertise in leading an urban farm project through all stages of farm production, from clearing land to harvesting. They also successfully established partnerships with local organizations, including the Sechelt Hospital and shíshálh First Nation Good Food Box program, to demonstrate demand. Throughout 2023, the organization harvested and delivered produce to shíshálh First Nation, Sechelt Hospital, One Straw Society, Joeys, IGA, Save on Foods, Run with Soup, Sechelt Food Bank, and the Back Eddy.
Once at its full capacity, the regenerative urban farm will deliver on several positive outcomes identified during the pilot phase. Because only 3% of food consumed on the Sunshine Coast is produced locally, increasing local food production has an immediate impact on food security and the local economy. It is anticipated to create two permanent, full-time jobs, along with seasonal positions and contract opportunities with local businesses throughout the community.
The society also highlights ongoing partnership with shíshálh First Nations to blend regenerative agriculture practices with shíshálh First Nation traditional ecological knowledge. The society hopes the project becomes an important step to helping the shíshálh First Nation reclaim its vital food sovereignty.
Growing the farm into a full-scale 6-acre regenerative farm is a major project, which includes:
- Developing a 5-year production strategy
- Improving their online platform for increased market access
- Purchase and infrastructure development of major assets, including greenhouses, tractor, agricultural materials, expanding irrigation systems, and establishing crop protection measures
The project will begin in May 2024, with a targeted completion date by November 2025. Updates about the existing farm and the expansion project are available on the Salish Sea Regenerative Farm website and on our funded project page.
Island Coastal Economic Trust is investing with Salish Seas Regenerative Farm Society in the Salish Seas Regenerative Urban Farm Business Development through its Capital and Innovation Program. The Trust will contribute $50,000 towards a total new investment in the region of $1,238,027. The trust is making this investment with a focus on its Food Security and Agrifood impact priority.
What Leaders Are Saying:
“This grant is a remarkable milestone for the Salish Sea Regenerative Farm Society. It empowers us to expand our farm and deepen our commitment to a resilient food system on the Sunshine Coast. By cultivating a six-acre regenerative urban farm, we’ll grow our impact, deliver positive economic outcomes, and foster hands-on learning opportunities for Indigenous youth in partnership with the shíshálh First Nation. This investment strengthens our dedication to community collaboration, regenerative agriculture, and environmental stewardship, paving the way for meaningful growth that will uplift our local economy, enrich partnerships, and protect our planet for future generations.” – Aaron Joe, Chair, Salish Seas Regenerative Farm Society
“The Salish Seas Regenerative Urban Farm represents a great step forward in building a more resilient and self-sustaining local food system. By combining regenerative agriculture practices with Indigenous knowledge and community partnerships, this project will push a positive change for both our environment and our community.” – Nicholas Simons, MLA, Powell River – Sunshine Coast
“We were eager to invest in this project. Beyond the proven economic development model established during the pilot phase, Salish Sea Regenerative Farm Society and shíshálh First Nation have built a strong partnership that we look for through our new community wellbeing framework.” – Aaron Stone, Chair, Island Coastal Economic Trust
About Island Coastal Economic Trust
Founded by the Province of British Columbia in 2006, the Island Coastal Economic Trust works to build a sustainable and resilient coastal economy in reciprocal relationships with First Nations, municipalities, and regional districts across Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and islands and inlets from the Salish Sea to Cape Caution. Serving over half a million residents, we partner with communities in the development and financing of their economic infrastructure and diversification efforts through our unique structure that is led by, and accountable to, communities.
Since our inception, Island Coastal Economic Trust has approved more than $64 million to economic development initiatives that have attracted over $338 million in new investment to our region. These investments have created over 3,001 permanent jobs, and countless positive impacts, across the coast.
Island Coastal Economic Trust acknowledges that we work for communities across the ancestral territories of the Kwak̓wala, Nuučaan̓uɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda’xw, Pəntl’áč, She shashishalhem, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.
Learn more about the Trust.
Media Contacts
Jeff Bartlett
Communications and Impact Manager
Island Coastal Economic Trust
jeff@islandcoastaltrust.ca
250-871-7797
Aaron Joe
Chair
Salish Seas Regenerative Farm Society
aaron@salishsoils.com
604-740-7773
