Courtesy of Wally S., Wally’s Urban Market Garden, Saskatoon SK Labor is the single biggest expense in any farm operation. Big ag’s reliance on migrant labor has been a source of controversy for a while, but use of unpaid help by small scale farmers is also starting to gain attention....
Courtesy of Wally S., Wally’s Urban Market Garden, Saskatoon SK Because many SPIN farms, including mine, just look like a really big garden, I often get asked the difference between a gardener and a backyard farmer. To turn your garden into a business, you need to grow a wide variety...
Courtesy of Wally S., Wally’s Urban Market Garden, Saskatoon SK I have never been a big fan of labor saving devices. SPIN-Farming is labor intensive, with many farm tasks being done by hand, so it is certainly wise to find ways to work more efficiently, without having to hire workers....
Courtesy of Ben Klempner, Unity Farm, Moshav Yishi IS Although I have not been successful in acquiring land through yardshare for the growing of vegetables, I have been very successful in “yard sharing” fruit trees. In others words, knocking on a door with a fruit tree in the yard and...
Courtesy of Wally S., Wally’s Urban Market Garden, Saskatoon SK I have lived in two worlds at our local farmers market. For the last several years, I sold year round indoors at our fixed stand. But in early May, Gail and I switched to an outdoor stand in front of...
Courtesy of Roxanne C., Philadelphia PA When we put on SPIN glasses we see food growing everywhere – backyards, front lawns, community gardens, rooftops, public spaces. But we aren’t looking through rose-colored lenses. We know SPIN farmers alone can’t supply all their communities’ food needs. That’s why we cheer the...
Courtesy of Roxanne C., Philadelphia PA We often get asked if SPIN is organic. Usually it’s by aspiring farmers who want to do the right thing. We don’t dictate how to grow. We explain that SPIN calls for organic-based methods because they are cheaper and more appropriate for densely populated...
Courtesy of Roxanne C., Philadelphia PA A reporter called recently to ask us about guerrilla gardening. It was a short interview. We don’t know much about it, though it does have some similarities with SPIN. Both use overlooked or neglected spaces to grow food. Both are practiced by free-thinkers. Both try...
Courtesy of Wally S., Wally’s Urban Market Garden, Saskatoon SK Now that the season is in full swing I’m hearing from beginning SPIN farmers who have their relays in play. One recently wrote: “For loose leaf lettuces and spinach, I know they will produce for a long while after they...
Courtesy of Wally S., Wally’s Urban Market Garden, Saskatoon SK Now that farmer’s markets are getting in full swing and CSA boxes are piled high at pick up points all over town, those who have been contemplating backyard farming suddenly become motivated to turn their intentions into action. I hear...
