Horticulture.

As ‘HRT_1900_-_Horticulture_Field_Studies_I’ comes to an end, I find myself reflecting upon the journey thus far. In the past month, we have witnessed the wonders of horticulture from angles none of us considered. We saw jobs and the people who worked hard to build these businesses. From colossal greenhouses, to dirt fields with weeds and wildflowers. The diversity and willingness to share experiences, insight and knowledge still staggers me.

This week also saw the fruition of ‘Poster_Project‘. Specifically, what does Horticulture mean to you? I was nervous, the person I walked to class with was nervous. It wouldn’t be a leap to assume most of the class was nervous. This was in part due to that each project was deeply personal. Everyone shared personal experiences, some inspiring, some heartbreaking, but all genuine. Common themes popped out, like the therapeutic nature of gardening and working work plants. We were all gathered there to explore a common interest in the program and its content. Vastly unlike other programs where people gather to gain knowledge to strategically enhance their social standing. It was emotional. It was connecting. Powerful.

So where does that leave us? A ‘next step’? Well, as the class ends and proceeds in two groups, I can’t help but feel melancholy. I’m not entirely sure what I feel, but one thing is for sure; I’m heading to RamCreek Falls for the long weekend to unwind, recharge and contemplate and reflect upon the journey thus far.

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Concrete Jungle & Horticulture

Filled with strenuous labour in Olds College and ripe with adventure in the enormous metropolis of Edmonton, this week was surely a trial. Tired and ill, I limped home with my tail between my legs, but en-route an epiphany occurred.

Tangential to the primary, but important still, I shall set the scene. Edmonton, the Little Potatoe Company. A place so pristine we were required to dawn white apparel. So posh we had to sign a non disclosure contract. Soulless, corporate entrance leading into a factory with sounds that nearly induced a panic attack in myself; this place is not for me.

Downtown we were met with another side of horticulture, a contractor that brought to life the visions of landscape designers. Our guide seemed to genuinely like his job. Later, the landscape maintenance people who inherited the responsibility seemed, tired. From the lack of communication in government, between designers, builders and themselves. I did get a feeling they enjoyed their work, but the bureaucracy is a definite deterrent to myself.

So where does that leave us? The epiphany. In the city of lights, where there is no night, where everyone talks but no one connects, I can not see a home. In the farms visited, I see life; full, hard, dirty and wonderful. Love for work, love of fresh air and a hardy grin from a good days work. I am now actively searching for work on these wonderful, effervescent, family farms.

🙂

Technological & Natural Wonders.

The enormous scale of operations at Doef’s Greenhouses not only inspires a sense of awe, but literally left myself speechless. Grandiose in nature and breathtaking to look at, this almost alien world completely shattered my perception on the possibilities of horticulture in Alberta. Technologies, fairly simple in their individual means, are staggering and remarkable when blown up in scale.

11 acres of carefully controlled crops ascend row by row. Tomatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers, eggplants, cucumbers and more. “A cucumber for every Albertan twice over”, says our guide Eric Doef. He goes on to explain the ins and outs of his enterprise, explaining how the rails between rows are also heaters. Informing us that they also use similar heaters at the middle and top of crops for precise application of heat.

 

All questions were answered almost overly thoroughly, without a step of hesitation or concealment. The honesty and willingness to share every bit of operations has been a recurring theme in our trips. It seems that every farmer simply wishes to discuss farming! All be it the farmers stress these are still businesses; they must charge for product, they must make money. But they have no filter when talking about their passion.

To see this technology so close to home, to get an in-depth look, to see and smell and touch and taste! This is truly inspiring. Working at an operation like Doef’s Greenhouses seem like the perfect winter job. Fingers crossed!

 

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The Process, The Journey.

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Discovery, hands-on learning and genuine interest. Just some words to describe this last week. From the course start, a spark was struck. Through the kindling of learning resources, field trips, site work and top-notch teaching, the fire was set. I get the distinct feeling that this first week wasn’t so eventful and fun by chance, but by clever design. Let me tell you a bit about my journey, October 2nd through October 7th!

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Eagle Creek Farms, owned by a high-energy fellow named John, was the inception of self-motivated learning for myself. Our teachers, with unique and incredible knowledge bases, stressed the importance of genuine interest. Get motivated, ask questions and, well, Google! With a grading system that rewards effort, this course has spurred my quest for knowledge more-so than I could have ever imagined. I find myself coming to school early, talking with the staff and students, looking for books or even just making sure I’m up to date with the technologies. Something that you would almost never find me doing in school years past! I cannot stress how much of a shift this is for myself.

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Diversity, adaptability and desire. This is how I would describe the lovely folks at Edgar, Beck and Eagle Creek Farms. It was a distinct pleasure to be invited in to their worlds and to be shown the highs and lows of farming. Whether it be wholesale, or market garden based, the ability to adapt to changing conditions is a key factor in success. John has a u-pick flower area; to generate more interest he makes corn, sunflower and willow mazes. With people coming in to see his world, he generates interest in his products, which range from 45 types of potatoes, squash, pumpkin, broccoli, brussel sprouts, hops and much more! And the view from his land is literally awesome. Goals set, with ambition I venture into the future of this course. Hopefully one day you’ll see me working out on my own land!

 

 

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