Tristan Banwell can't be the only farmer whose volunteer commitments clash with the needs of his farm. But he was the only one who **volunteered** to talk to me about this. This episode, Tristan explains why he can't seem to reign in his volunteer obligations and what that means for his farm. Then he gives some advice to future Tristan. Then I talk to future Tristan. Hijinks ensue.

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Win a FBC Podcast Hat!

The first & tenth listener to submit a voice memo by visiting farminginbc.ca/submit will receive an FBC Podcast hat in the mail, as long as they live in BC and aren't currently signed on to my 2025 BC Farming Yearbook Project.

Voice Memo Contact

Herein: my conversation with Liz Blakeway, Executive Director of the Land To Table Network, an Okanagan-based society seeking a more properous and interconnected regional food economy.

Liz and her colleagues have advocated for institutions like universities and health authorities to devote more, or in many cases, some, food-procurement dollars to purchasing regionally-produced food. I've been skeptical of this idea and asked Liz if I could express my doubts in an interview. She kindly accepted my invitation, and met me in the studio in late March.

I enjoyed our conversation. I hope you do too!

This episode started out as an effort to learn about a PhD thesis focused on how farmers feel about data-sharing, but discovered some sidebars that were also worth sharing with you.

First up: former British Columbian and perennial soil nerd Clare Sullivan on a circuitous path to an Ag-focused PhD in Greece by way of Oregon State University's extension program. Clare compares extension services in the states to what we have in here in BC, with some help from a special friend of the podcast.

You can help Clare with her PhD research on farmers' willingness to share their farm data by visiting farmingbc.ca/data. I've filled out the survey...it's relatively quick!

Also: in today's metaphorical middle, some BC farmers tell us what the were up to in late March, and talk a little about the impact of tariffs.

Other links:

farminginbc.ca/submit if you'd like to contribute your thoughts for a future episode of the show. You're also welcome to send an audio recording to Jordan via text/whatsapp/signal Jordan at 250 767 6636 or via podcast@farminginbc.ca

farminginbc.ca/sponsorship to learn more about buying ads on the podcast or other forms of sponsorship.

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Sponsors in this episode

BPL Backflow Testing: This episode of Farming in British Columbia is supported in part by BPL Backflow Testing, servicing the central and north Okanagan. Irrigation season is fast approaching. If your irrigation system requires a back flow device and you need it tested, BPL Backflow Testing can take care of that.

BPL Sponsorship

Sponsors in this episode

BPL Backflow Testing: This episode of Farming in British Columbia is supported in part by BPL Backflow Testing, servicing the central and north Okanagan. Irrigation season is fast approaching. If your irrigation system requires a back flow device and you need it tested, BPL Backflow Testing can take care of that.

BPL Sponsorship