Get to know: Harriet Jarvis - Downtown School Farm Manager

What does your role at Squamish CAN involve?

I manage the day to day operations of the downtown school farm. I grow organic vegetables and teach grade 10 farm studies students the practical skills to grow their own food. We learn about small scale regenerative agriculture and the importance of eating locally. Together we harvest and sell the produce at our on site farm stand and to the Squamish hospital. 

What do you love most about working at Squamish CAN?

Working with like minded people who inspire me everyday! To be able to grow healthy nutritious food for people in my community and to see the positive impact it has on people’s health, well being and mindset. 

What’s a sustainable swap or hack you swear by?

Instead of using laundry detergent and fabric softeners that come in big plastic bottles,  I switched to using laundry detergent strips. The card board packaging is recyclable, takes up vertically no space and they work and smell great. A no brainer living in a tiny house!

What’s a meal or dish that represents your food values? 

In the summer I have a habit of walking round the garden with a bowl and scissors, chopping and picking everything in sight! I like to make a big ol’ salad and pour lots of nutritional yeast dressing on top. I could drink that dressing it’s so good! add some nuts, seeds and pulses on top and you have the best on the go lunch.

If you could implement one bold climate solution overnight, what would it be?

No more industrial agriculture or fishing. Stop habitat destruction for meat production and focus on protecting and regenerating what we have left on this planet. Think about where the meat you consume comes from and the impact it is having on the environment.

What’s a small but powerful habit you’ve adopted to live more sustainably?

When I am grocery shopping I avoid buying anything that comes in large plastic clam shells or uses unnecessary amounts of plastic packaging. As consumers we all have a choice, if enough of us make a better choice then positive changes will follow!

Harriet Jarvis - Downtown School Farm Manager

Originally from England and with a background in environmental science, Harriet now embraces an off grid lifestyle here in Squamish. She embodies a deep connection to nature, making her a skilled gardener and a steward of sustainable living practices. When she's not tending to her crops, you will find her outside in the mountains, birdwatching, trail running, cycling, or out on the ocean trying to master her new hobby of wing foiling.

harriet@squamishcan.net

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