Are you looking for the perfect gift to give to someone you know who is passionate about local agriculture initiatives and supports local food systems? The Market Gardener Institute team has put together some suggestions to make that person happy this holiday season!
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A donation in their name for the Real Farmer Care initiative
Founded by Clara Coleman of Four Season Farm, Real Farmer Care is dedicated to supporting farmers in prioritizing self-care. With a focus on farmers that are Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color (BIPOC), the initiative generates donations that are 100% cycled into ‘gifts’ to growers. Whether it’s a complimentary meal at a restaurant they supply with produce, or a well-deserved massage by making a donation, your dollars will support much-needed rest and relaxation for hard-working growers across North America. Plus, this gift can please more than one person at a time!
https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/6dfec5df-95ad-4977-8851-aa9edf75dd44
Growers & Co Body care Products
Taking care of yourself can take many forms. What could be better than products created with care by organic farmers? Quebec-based company Growers & Co. offers a super muscle salve to help relieve all kinds of pains and a fantastic lip balm to soothe chapped lips. Both products were developed in partnership with Fresh Pickin Organic Farm in Maine, whose story you can read here. Growers & Co. also offers a natural hand balm produced by local, Quebec-based Miels d’Anicet Organic Farm. This product is a true blessing for relieving itchy and dry skin. Check out the full range of products here: https://growers.co/fr/collections/body-care
Plant illustrations
We simply adore the beautiful (and educational!) illustrations of seasonal produce. Ideal for a kitchen or any other room of the house, these drawings add a lot of beauty to daily life while allowing you to learn more about the benefits of. https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/MathildeCinqMars?section_id=23482305
Annual subscription to Grower & Co. magazine
Published twice a year, Growers & Co. magazine tells the stories of exceptional growers who have chosen to make regenerative agriculture their way of life. Meet them through fascinating and authentic profiles. A subscription to Growers & co. magazine is definitely a gift idea that will please the person in your life who cares about the value of farming. https://growers.co
Subscribe to an organic basket (CSA)
There is no better way to support local agriculture than by subscribing to weekly vegetable baskets from a small organic farm. Why not ask someone you know to join the movement by paying a portion of the costs? Not only will you be helping a small farm succeed, but you’ll also be introducing someone new to the good, fresh produce of a farm. The regroupement des fermiers de famille au Québec can help you discover producers in the region of your choice. This is an original gift idea that will go a long way! https://www.fermierdefamille.com/fr/
Upcycled Fabric Produce Bags
This Canadian company makes really pretty eco-bags with upcycled cotton from repurposed materials that are thrifted or donated. All of the bags are machine washer and dryer friendly, but they recommend going green and letting them air dry after a wash. Partial proceeds from all bag sales are donated to a Sustainable Nutrition Program to ensure that everyone has access to fresh and local produce. Bonus: All of their products are labelled, packaged and shipped using recyclable, sustainable or compostable packaging. https://themarketbags.ca/
Introduction to Market Gardening
This self-paced online course is designed as a starting point for anyone who wants to become familiarized with the world of market gardening and small-scale ecological agriculture. Led by Jean-Martin Fortier, from site-choice to selling your produce, this 12-lesson course guides participants through the main principles of market gardening to set you up for success. By offering a complete overview of everything you need to know about market gardening. This course will offer helpful tips and practical tools for someone to better understand whether a new path in small-scale farming is right for them. Learn more here. https://themarketgardener.com/product/introduction-to-market-gardening/
