Farming for the future

Learn how Nelson Urban Acres does things a little differently from conventional farms.

Say hello to the "2-mile diet"

  • We farm in backyard gardens right in the city of Nelson.

  • Our market produce comes fresh from our walk-in cooler in Fairview, no more than 2 miles from the market. You can't get much more local than that!

  • We harvest in cool conditions and handle the produce with care to ensure the longest shelf-life. When it comes to freshness, the average supermarket poses no competition.

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Low-carbon farming

  • We truck everything by electric bike to help shrink our carbon footprint.

  • Our produce never travels more than a few miles to reach its point of consumption. Compare this to a typical supermarket meal, which travels an average of 1,500 miles from farm to plate.

  • We don't use high-emissions tractors for cultivation or high-energy heated greenhouses to grow unseasonal crops.

  • While we do use a walk-behind rototiller on occasion, we prefer hand cultivation whenever possible.

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Great soils grow great food

  • We use absolutely no chemical inputs or GMOs. All of our soil amendments are naturally derived and approved for organic use.

  • We believe that healthy soil grows healthy plants, and that only organic farming practices make healthy soil.

  • Rather than fight natural processes by applying harmful chemicals to inhibit them, we try to mimic patterns found in nature that improve soil health.

  • While we are not certified organic, this year we are applying for the Kootenay Mountain Grown label.

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Comments

Excellent summary!

Thank-you for this summary. I'm sold!