Team Profiles: meet 7 young farmers at the heart of the local, sustainable food movement
A 2010 graduate from the University of King’s College, Dave Wolpin has involved himself entirely in our food system. As the manager of Kredl’s Corner Market in Hampton and a natural gardener since childhood, he has gained valuable experience in food production and retail. Dave has moved from growing vegetables for competition in the exhibition in Saint John, to selling them at Kredl’s and has now begun a new venture into produce packs. Dave envisions the growth of sustainable local food and sees it as the key to a healthy lifestyle. He does not support the use of herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The land being used in the fertile Kennebecasis Valley has been used for decades without any chemical application of any type. He pays attention to all aspects of the food he produces for his customers, from soil to seed to harvest, ensuring the highest quality of food.
From Sackville NB, she is back for her second season working with Dave’s Produce Packs. After finishing high school, Sydney took a break from the formal education system and took a year to travel. In the summer of 2009 she cycled solo across Canada over a two and a half month period, which allowed her to experience the diversity of the country and to exercise personal discipline. That winter, she went to Tanzania for four months to travel. While there she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. She recently completed the Foundation Year Programme at the University of King’s College in Halifax, and will be studying Biology at Dalhousie this coming fall.
From Sackville NB, he just finished his second year of university study. He has had the same lesson in perseverance, having crossed the continent by bicycle on a different occasion. Experience with the elements and with physical labour will of course be useful in the coming months, which will be spent somewhat closer to home. He is looking forward to the process, to devoting his summer to accomplish something he feels is just as worthwhile.
Originally from Sackville NB, Alex Thomas has attended Mount Allison University for the past 2 years. He is now taking a year off from his studies to focus on farming and travel. Alex also spent time in PEI and a community in Ghana as part of a program called Canada World Youth. Through the program, Alex had an amazing experience. He will join the others with his amazing innovation and enthusiasm for what will no doubt be an exciting season.
From St John’s, Newfoundland, Brendan is also a student at MtA and is entering his third year. Though this is his first time farming, Brendan’s interest in farming stems from his experiences working in the outdoors in other capacities. For several years he has spent his summers at Camp Glenburn, a YM-YWCA camp on the Belleisle Bay, where he most recently worked as the Out-tripping Director.
Graeme Bousada was born in Ottawa and raised in Carleton Place, ON. Always being a kid for the outdoors, and loving food, agriculture seemed like a good fit for the boy from a young age, grudgingly helping out in the family garden when he was a young lad. Disenchanted with Ontario, he set out to seek better ways first West, and then East, with his acceptance at Mount Allison University. At University, he rebelled against the status quo and hailed to the mighty carrot as a teacher and leader. Currently, he plans on being a poor farmer in the summer, to be supplemented with the lavish life of a musician (It’s like living in a two income household, isn’t it?). He was last spotted picking blackberries and living life as a hippie on Cortes Island, BC
Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and raised in Goderich, Ontario; Kory moved to New Brunswick at 16 and liked it so much he stayed. He is entering his fourth year at Mount Allison University. He enjoys reading, hard work, playing chess, and is passionate about social and ecological issues. Kory once was attacked by a falcon, rescued a beaver, dislocated a hip, and memorized a poem.
