Back 2 Basics

It’s quite exhilarating when you put yourself in a new situation where you’re out of your element and pushing your comfort zone:  Not knowing what to expect, feeling perhaps a bit intimidated while jumping into the unknown, your mind making up ‘what if’ scenarios, all while getting shots of excitement by the potential for making a difference in someone’s life.  This is what I can remember experiencing two years ago during my first day volunteering at the David Busby Street Centre in downtown Barrie. Looking back, I can see just how transformative that experience has been in my life.  It helped change my perspective of the world and how it works. I met people from all walks of life, many with tragic pasts including abuse and all that goes along with having to

The dedicated staff and volunteers at the Busby Centre also had a severe impact on my work ethic.  They give unconditionally to the people they serve and always without judgment, working long hours for little pay and, at times, little support. Chronically understaffed, they do a wonderful job with the limited resources they have access to.  The poverty epidemic can, at times, feel overwhelming when you are working towards making positive change. Even with the challenges they face every day, the staff have a wonderful dynamic and have learned how to stay positive and move forward.

Their sphere of influence hit me hard in the chest. How could I, as an organic vegetable farmer, adapt my industry to benefit those who can’t afford the extra cost of organic food? How can people who have less than $100 of disposable income to spend on food and personal items afford the cost of organic food? How could I, as a farmer of organic vegetables adapt my industry to help?   Many of the Busby participants relied on the food provided by the Grocery Assistance Program or G.A.P., run out of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Simcoe County and I would help people sign up for this wonderful service.  One day, it all just clicked; I was going to grow as much food as possible with the help of volunteers and give it to G.A.P, the Salvation Army, the Busby Centre and Youth Haven.

It’s amazing how it all came together.  Bruce from Chappell’s Farm donated some land for us to farm, Bob from Richards’ Farm Equipment donated a tractor to do the tilling, John from Pine House Farm donated his walk-behind rototiller (amongst many other things, thanks!), a few people donated seeds, and some donated money to purchase seeds. We had a half acre (100 ft x 200 ft) garden ready to grow food and a goal of 5000 pounds of food to give away. Twenty or so wonderful volunteers were recruited along the way as word got out and we were ready!  “Back to Basics” was born.

Every Sunday volunteers gave 1 or 2 hours of their time. Ranging in age from 2 to 72 they came to help us grow carrots, potatoes, squash, onions and beans.  Growing food organically means working with nature, not against it. We use no chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.  Instead of spraying to kill weeds, we pick them and hoe them by hand. It’s a lot of work but super good for the earth and our bodies. We fought off potato beetles and soggy weather and with our bare hands, hit our 5000 pound donation goal.

Paula King, the executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society and G.A.P., was so appreciative to receive the fresh produce that she wanted to collaborate with Back to Basics to make this initiative bigger and better. Last winter we wrote a grant proposal to the Ontario Trillium Foundation and four months later we got it! Now that I could work on this full-time, we upped the goal to 15,000 pounds of food donated. More land was donated to us, more volunteers came out, and more food was planted. In order to keep sustainable into the future, we designed a business model that allows us to donate 20% of sales to G.A.P. as food. Not 20% of profits, 20% of sales, right off the top.

It was a tremendous season with more than 80 new volunteers getting their hands dirty and thumbs greener with us. We met our 15,000 pound goal and because of a bumper crop, we were neck deep in delicious, sweet, organic carrots. Thanks to all our supporters and volunteers for a great season!

For more information contact: Andrew Miller 705 716-4006 or back2basics09@gmail.com