Farm from a Box

It was noted in today's Townsman (Wednesday November 18) that the mayors of Kimberley and Cranbrook are uniting for the promotion of economic development.  Different  models for local food production have been presented to the Economic Development Officer in the past with no acknowledgement.  However with considerable sums of money being raised from businesses according to the article, maybe the idea of local food production on a grander scale might be examined further with companies and professionals who could work with those who are already successful on a small scale. 

The demand for local food has been proven through the successful local Farmer's Markets.  Both the markets and growers are self-starters who have been successful without the help of economic development officers or support of other business.  Imagine how this local, currently, small industry could grow if financial investment was provided for land, greenhouses, geothermal and solar energy. The potential is enormous.

In the meantime.....

Cari E. Guittard Principal, Global Engagement Partners; Professor of Global Management, Corporate Diplomacy & Women's Leadership, Hult International Business School

Could the Future of Farming Come from Thinking Inside the Box?

Posted: 11/02/2015 10:42 am EST Updated: 11/02/2015 10:59 am EST 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cari-e-guittard/future-of-farming_b_8374048.html

Food Aid Reinvented - The 'Swiss Army Knife' of Sustainable Farming
Having spent much of their careers overseas and working in various development and non-profit efforts, when Brandi and Scott see a need they dive in. Farm from a Box, which has been 3 years in the making, came from their personal passion to find a different and sustainable way to reinvent food aid particularly in areas where natural resources, infrastructure and technology are scarce. "Farm from a Box is the Swiss Army knife of sustainable farming," said Brandi DeCarli. "We found that rural communities often lack the resources needed to access nutritious food. We developed a toolkit that contains all of the core components needed to grow your own food, on a two acre plot of land, without the need for an existing grid. Imagine the good it can do by growing local, organic food for a school, or helping jumpstart food production after a disaster. Farm from a Box enables and empowers communities to provide for themselves."
Working with renowned agroecology Professor, Dr. Miguel Altieri, at UC Berkeley, who says that it is possible if land, labor, compost and seeds are available, a 2 acre diversified and self-sufficient agroecological farm can be up and running in a week's time, managed by people locally. "I support the idea of Farm from a Box as it can provide basic resources for rural communities to create farms that don't require external inputs," advised Dr. Miguel, "allowing them to reach yields that will deliver sufficient food for themselves, with a surplus that can be sold in local markets."