From Field to Flour

[Editor's note: This is a summary of a podcast you can download or listen to from this page.]

Since March 2008, Deconstructing Dinner has been following the evolution of Canada's first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) grain project. A total of 180 individual members and one business in Nelson and Creston, British Columbia, will soon receive their locally grown grain.

On this third part of the series, host Jon Steinman speaks with some of the locals who are supporting this local food system.

Like David Everest, a Nelson-based miller who will make himself and his mill available each week to turn member's grain into flour. Or the group of sailors who have offered to ship grain from the southern shores of Kootenay Lake to Nelson later this month. Perhaps this effort will lay the foundation for a fossil fuel-free transportation corridor between the two communities.

Jon also will present recordings from the July 14 meeting of the CSA steering committee with the hope that it can help guide other communities towards launching a similar project.

Guests/Voices

David Everest, miller, Nelson-Creston Grain CSA (Nelson, B.C.) -- David heard about the CSA in 2007 and quickly came forward to lend a hand. When Nelson's CSA members receive their grain in late October, David has volunteered to mill it to flour on a weekly basis. This will give members readily available access to fresh flour.

Jay Blackmore, sailor, Kootenay Lake Sailing Association (Nelson, B.C.) -- When Jay first heard about the CSA, he was eager to become part of this exciting initiative. He quickly gathered a group of sailors who will be sailing the grain from the Creston Valley to Nelson on the weekend of October 25, 2008.

Keith Huscroft, farmer, Huscroft Farm (Lister, B.C.) -- Keith is a fourth-generation farmer. His great-grandparents were the first white settlers in the Creston Valley and his farm has been in operation for 100 years. Keith takes all measures to ensure no inputs are required on his farm. He uses mixed-farming practices and fertilizes using only animal and green manures. He is one of a shrinking number of farmers farming with horses instead of fossil fuel technologies.

Abra Brynne, foodshed animator (Nelson, B.C.) -- Abra is a familiar voice on Deconstructing Dinner as she is involved in a number of local food projects and businesses in the southern interior of British Columbia.

Roy Lawrence, farmer, Lawrence Farm (Creston, B.C.)
Drew Gailius, farmer, Full Circle Farm (Canyon, B.C.)
Jenny Truscott, miller (Creston, B.C.)
Donna Carlyle, Kootenay Employment Services (Creston, B.C.)
Brenda Bruns, administrator, Nelson-Creston Grain CSA (Creston, B.C.)
Matt Lowe, administrator, Nelson-Creston Grain CSA (Nelson, B.C.)
Cindy Olivas, Baker, Kootenay Bakery Cafe Co-operative (Nelson, B.C.)
Gail Southall, coordinator, Creston Valley Food Action Coalition (Creston, B.C.)

Related Tyee stories:

• Meet Your Wheat
  Podcast: 'Deconstructing Dinner' explores the local grain revolution with a tour of Creston wheat fields.
• The Grain That Fed Canada
  Podcast: 'Deconstructing Dinner' on why Red Fife wheat and other heritage crops are good for the palate and the planet.
• So, You Want to Be a Farmer?
  Podcast: Who will help raise Canada's food? Why not you?