It takes time to build great things, and in the case of farming, money too. The barriers to entry for those wanting to become farmers can be high. Kimi and Kareno have a five-year lease for the land on No. 2 Road and every decision regarding an investment of their time and money must be carefully made but building a greenhouse was not optional. Having a protected environment where they could grow a high-value, high-yield crop such as tomatoes was a must for their bottom line.

As part of their practicum, Richmond Farm School students spent time working on the greenhouse at Sweet Digz. The program is a mix of classroom and practical field work and the greenhouse was an excellent opportunity to put their math and problem-solving skills to the test. Under Kimi’s supervision, calculating and measuring out the distance between the posts and figuring out where the main opening should be located was all in day’s work.

Once it was covered with plastic film, Kareno set about preparing the greenhouse for planting. This included raising the beds and installing the support structures for growing vegetables. String was hung to create a trellis system and before too long tomatoes and peppers were thriving in the greenhouse and ready for market. As the fall approached, tomatoes were still harvested right up until the final CSA box delivery last week. That is one of the biggest benefits of having a greenhouse, an extended growing season.

Soon winter will be here and the greenhouse will sit empty but not for long. Even before spring officially arrives, Kimi and Kareno will be back in the planting the first crops to capitalize on an early start and a faster maturation inside the greenhouse. The marketing advantage of being able to supply produce when supplies are low but demand is strong is another reason why an investment in a greenhouse was so necessary.

Next year there will be more infrastructure decisions to make but for now the greenhouse stands as a proud reminder of all that has been accomplished this season.

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Sweet Digz Farm on No. 2 Road just a stone’s throw away from my home. Farmers Kimi and Kareno have leased four acres in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and are committed to being good stewards of the land and growing healthy, organic vegetables for their local community.

Richmond, British Columbia might be a modern city with a population of more than 200,000 but it has a rich farming history that is still being written today right here in Steveston. As property values in Metro Vancouver soar to new heights, there is a push to convert farmland in the ALR for either commercial or residential development but there is a counterbalance to that pressure.

People like Kareno and Kimi have a vision to help preserve agricultural land through small scale farming and creating a local community of interest. I’ll be following their journey to restore this vacant plot of land to a more productive ecosystem through more environmentally sustainable farming methods.

These are the stories from Sweet Digz Farm.