Andrew Adams of Hope Farm Organics

Photo by D. Rigo

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Today, Clara Coleman talks with Andrew Adams of Hope Farm Organics in Newlands BC, Canada. Hope Farm Organics is at the 54th parallel, the farthest north on the series so far, experiencing less than 7.5 hours of daylight on December 21st, the shortest day of the year. It's also located in the coldest and wettest geoclimatic zone in the Prince George Forest District, with winter lows as cold as -40 where C* and F* meet.

Outdoor planting doesnt begin until late /may, frosts can still occur in July, and the end of the outdoor growing season is in September. Andrew likes to joke his Summer growing conditions are the same as NC in Winter. Despite these challenges, he and his family cultivate 2 acres using greenhouses and caterpillar tunnels and sell produce year-round.

A passionate forest ecologist and conservationist, he is committed to sustainable living and local food production, while increasing his effeciencies and profit in an extremely challenging climate. It's a humbling reminder of how much easier it is to grow in the winter here in Maine.