Author Archive

  • Linda Best, Managing Director

    Founding Member, Co-chair and Treasurer of FarmWorks,  Chair Friends of Agriculture in NS, Medical Microbiologist  Linda Best grew up on a farm in the Annapolis Valley. Since graduating from Acadia University in 1966 she has been involved with the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Halifax as a Medical Microbiologist (1966 – 1995), Medical Researcher and author of peer-reviewed Gastroenterology papers and presenter at Research Conferences (1995 – 2012) and as a Director of the Capital District Health Authority (2001 – 2005). For twelve years she operated Alderbrook apple orchard ...

    Posted at May 9, 2023 | By : | Categories : Board Members | 0 Comment
  • Barb Boates Sweet – Vice-chair

    Barb grew up in the Annapolis Valley on a small hobby farm that grew strawberries, beans andapples. As a child, she always had an interest in food and cooking and learned to cook with hernanny, often with vegetables and fruit grown in their own garden. Summer eating was alwaysfocused around what was in season, with a particular favourite of hodge podge. After highschool, Barb moved to Halifax to attend Saint Mary’s University studying anthropology. Afteruniversity, Barb worked with her partner to help build a property management business,focusing on student housing in Halifax.After attending culinary school and ...

    Posted at May 9, 2023 | By : | Categories : Board Members | 0 Comment
  • Hélène Branch – Director

    I'm an Acadian originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick.  I met my husband in Ottawa where I lived for 12 years and we moved to his hometown of Shelburne NS in 2005.  I fell in love with living in a small town and the sense of community that I found here.  We are currently living in Wentzell Lake and go back every summer to Shelburne.  Over the years, I’ve worked for the federal government as both a public servant for the Canadian Transportation Agency and as a consultant for Shared Services Canada in the past and currently ...

    Posted at July 16, 2014 | By : | Categories : Board Members | 0 Comment
  • Rural Redefined: Post-Georgetown Conference 2013 Insight by Linda Best

    The time is ripe to re-energize the entrepreneurial spirit that historically characterized Atlantic Canadians. From the successes of early settlers to the accomplishments of individuals today, from entrepreneurs in small communities to urban farmers, from engaged kids to senior volunteers, there are multitudes of examples of Atlantic spirit. Maybe it's the ocean around us, maybe the food we grow, the distances that make us self-reliant but neighborly, the friend and family connections: these and many other elements inspire engagement and innovation and enterprise. Perhaps some of us have lost sight of our abilities, ...

    Posted at October 15, 2013 | By : | Categories : FarmWorks History | 0 Comment
  • All Offers to date: $4,634,700 invested

    Shares With Edible and Financial Benefits The money previously invested is supporting 141 food-related businesses with more to come, and monthly repayments are being added to the capital available for loans. Money is loaned at 6% for one to five year terms and is having a positive effect on farm and food-related businesses. Applications are processed as described on the Lending Page. If you are interested in learning about FarmWorks please contact: Linda Best (542-3442, 670-3660, lbest@ns.sympatico.ca)

    Posted at February 3, 2013 | By : | Categories : FarmWorks History | 0 Comment
  • Congratulations Oakview Farm in Kingsport

    Oakview Farm is FarmWork's 6th Loan Recipient! See Loan Recipients here Oakview Farm is a small local producer of pesticide free produce. They have three market areas; an on farm U pick operation for fresh fruit/vegetables, free run egg, and direct market sales at the Halifax Seaport Market. They have been in business for 16 years and have consistently grown their sales over that period of time. They have direct contact with their customers and enjoy providing fine quality produce for their business partners. Recently, they have added a greenhouse to extend their growing season for ...

    Posted at November 22, 2012 | By : | Categories : FarmWorks History | 0 Comment
  • Pam Warhurst: How we can eat our landscapes

    What should a community do with its unused land? Plant food, of course. With energy and humor, Pam Warhurst tells at the TED Salon the story of how she and a growing team of volunteers came together to turn plots of unused land into communal vegetable gardens, and to change the narrative of food in their community. Pam Warhurst cofounded Incredible Edible, an initiative in Todmorden, England dedicated to growing food locally by planting on unused land throughout the community. Full bio »

    Posted at November 1, 2012 | By : | Categories : Blog,Food | 0 Comment
  • PEI FarmWorks Offers Islanders a Chance to Invest in Island Agri-Enterprises

    Islanders will soon have an opportunity to use their investment dollars to grow the province's number one industry, agriculture and agri-food, right here at home. PEI FarmWorks is the first investment cooperative set up under the Community Economic Development Business (CEDB) program announced last August by Finance Minister Wes Sheridan. The CEDB program helps strengthen local communities by offering Islanders a new method to invest in economic development, said Sheridan. “Islanders want to invest in Islanders – in Island businesses that have the potential to benefit the community and foster growth in the local economy,” he said. Here’s how it works. Investors have ...

    Posted at August 7, 2012 | By : | Categories : News & Events | 0 Comment
  • Vermont ‘Farm to Plate’ to Create Jobs and Strengthen Local Food System

    Vermont is an example of how state-level legislative support can help regional, mid-sized, and small producers and rural communities. The state has developed polices aimed at community-based agricultural economic development aligned with local and regional food system infrastructure development. In 2009, the Vermont Legislature passed the Farm to Plate (F2P) initiative as part of the state’s jobs bill. Estimates of the F2P plan include 1,500 jobs over the next 10 years based on a five percent increase in food system production and an accompanying annual increase of $88 million in the state’s gross domestic product. Currently, 12.9 percent of private ...

    Posted at July 23, 2012 | By : | Categories : Blog,Food | 0 Comment
  • Posted at April 22, 2012 | By : | Categories : News & Events | 0 Comment
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