GG’s - Good Greens

08/26/2026

This week, "Meet the Farmer" portrays another pillar of our crew -Robyn- Terra Nostra's friendly face at the Central Market and TNF's only officially authorized CSA (weekly delivered veggie boxes) driver. This multi-talented lady knows how to pack her days in fun ways with her many talents
and hobbies!
Thank you Robyn for coming back year after year!

* Where are you from and what brought you to this farm?

I was born and raised in Edmonton before I moved to Nanaimo in 2005. I moved to Powell River a few years ago to try something new. After 20 years of dog training, farming was definitely brand new to me.

* What's your favorite job on the farm, and why?

I enjoy so many jobs on the farm, truly. The top jobs for me are harvesting leeks, planting anything in soft soil, working the farmers market and telling my new co-workers how to do things better and faster.

* What's something you've learned here that surprised you?

I was actually surprised to learn about the CSA program when I first started at the farm. Seeing the support from the community coming in in the winter, for produce delivered months later, was very inspiring. That fuels us to work hard, knowing that so many people believe in and support us. And then to see the weekly veggies at their front door - all harvested pretty much the day before - how can it get better than that?! If I didn't work at the farm I would most certainly be a veggie box subscriber.

* What do you enjoy doing when you're not working in the fields?

I enjoy playing baseball, exploring trails, paddle boarding, and making sourdough. One of my most favourite things to do is puppy lessons with families who just got a new puppy.

*What's your favorite way to eat or cook something we grow on the farm?

I love to roast our golden beets and eat them with greek yogurt & fresh dill. And I always have our green onions in my fridge, those go on everything!

* Do you have a farm hack you would like to share?

Separate the green bunching onions in the field to make for quick and easy washing. Wash totes two at a time!

* If you could invite anyone to help with harvest for a day, who would it be, and why?

My Baba. She passed at a strong 99 years old just before I got my job at the farm. She grew up on an Alberta farm in the 1920’s and 30’s, growing fresh food and even making the bread for her large family. She would be so happy for me and I know we would have talked for endless hours about my new career path. I miss her dearly.

* What's one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

Besides never having a cup of coffee…..I would say that many are surprised (especially the boss) to see how heavily invested I become each year in the Edmonton Oilers attempting to win the Stanley Cup.

*They call it a w**d or a pest, but you actually love…

I quite like talking to the teeny tiny frogs that enjoy resting in the lettuce. However if one manages to make it through all the steps of quality control and into someone's salad….that will quickly make them a pest. The extreme benefit of working on an organic farm means we have many creatures, and while some of them are not ideal for food production (ravens like watermelons!), it's a really special thing to be covered in dirt and amongst so much life everyday.

* If you could leave readers with one tip, recipe, or piece of advice about eating locally or growing food, what would it be?

There are many farms for us in our area - we are truly lucky - can you make a point to visit one farm stand each week to spend even $10? You will get delicious fresh food and you will keep that money in our community. Just remember to bring cash :)

08/19/2026

We are always blown away by the eclectic backgrounds and skills of our team members. Heather -a new face at TN- is another wonderful addition to the family and she fit in from day one!

* Where are you from and what brought you to this farm?

I grew up in Port Coquitlam but we have lived all over BC. My family moved to Powell River for my husband's job and because it's a great place to raise a family.
Previously, I had a short but thrilling life in fisheries biology after which I started a home based baking business. After 5 years of baking I was ready to move from home to an outdoor workplace. As I am a homesteader and have enjoyed outdoor jobs, farming was a natural extension of my interests.

* What's your favorite job on the farm, and why?

I love harvesting because of the satisfaction it gives me of completing the task to grow food for my community. Experiencing people's joy in the food I have helped grow is extremely rewarding.

* What's something you've learned here that surprised you?

I am surprised how many plants we can grow per square foot on the farm. The veggies at the farm grow exceptionally well even though they are closer than I am used to planting them. This has totally changed my planting schemes at home - for the better!

* What do you enjoy doing when you're not working in the fields?

I love hiking, baking, doing art with my kids and visiting my family in Vancouver.

* What's your favorite way to eat or cook something we grow on the farm?

Boiling new potatoes and tossing in butter and fresh herbs is fantastic! Just eat the carrots as they are - simply amazing!

* Do you have a farm hack you would like to share?

Hoe your w**ds before you see them. Keeping the w**ds down gives all the water and nutrients to your veggies.

* If you could invite anyone to help with harvest for a day, who would it be, and why?

My mom because we share a love of veggie gardening and she still gets excited about pulling the carrots to see how big they are.

* What's one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

I am an avid knitter and love knitting sweaters for my loved ones.

* They call it a w**d or a pest, but you actually love...

I don't know the name of it but there is a purple w**d in my yard going crazy because I thought it was beautiful. I let it grow but didn't realize how invasive it is. Oh well!

* If you could leave readers with one tip, recipe, or piece of advice about eating locally or growing food, what would it be?

When you choose to eat locally your impact reaches farther than you probably imagine. Taking the time to get to know your local farms and farmers makes food personal and supports local working people. It is nutritious, eco-friendly and more affordable than you think.

08/14/2026

08/06/2026

This week, 'Meet the Farmer' brings you a new face from a distant land, Vishwas. Vish brings a calm presence, a keen interest in going back to the roots when it comes to food production, and fresh eyes on the miracle of plant growth Welcome to the team Vish!

- Where are you from and what brought you to this farm?
I am from South India. A deep interest in food, the desire to improve my growing skills and an apprenticeship from Young Agrarians are what brought me to this farm.

- What's your favorite job on the farm, and why?
Harvesting! It's so nice to be surrounded by the aromas of all the different vegetables at their prime.

- What's something you've learned here that surprised you?
So much! I'd never seen yellow carrots or purple peppers. Since I am new to the country, to market farming and to some of the vegetables commonly grown/eaten here, I'm relishing all the newness.

- What do you enjoy doing when you're not working in the fields?
Listening to and practicing music, cooking, foraging, camping, finding my tribe at events, and hopping between festivals.

- What's your favorite way to eat or cook something we grow on the farm?
Mostly raw salads with tahini, olive oil, nut butters etc. Sometimes sautéed with ghee, garlic, and spices depending on the vegetable/s. I love experimenting with all the many flavor combinations available.

- Do you have a farm hack you would like to share?
I might, in about 5 years, or 10.

- If you could invite anyone to help with harvest for a day, who would it be, and why?
My friends from big cities. I wish everybody could have the connection with food that farmers have. With each day spent on the farm, I realize the depth of my own disconnection with food, which stemmed from growing up in a big city.

- What's one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
I'm quite the open book but it surprises even me that I lasted 13 years working in some of the biggest corporate firms before I let my interest in food fully take over my life.

- They call it a w**d or a pest, but you actually love...
Chickw**d, purslane, pineapple w**d, nasturtium, wood clovers - edible w**ds are my favorite things to snack on when I'm at the farm or out camping/hiking. I also think slugs are cute.

- If you could leave readers with one tip, recipe, or piece of advice about eating locally or growing food, what would it be?
Don't peel your vegetables. Especially if they are organic and recently harvested, they are usually the best parts!

07/30/2026

Meet Farmer Jen, a pillar of our dirt community. Jen comes back to us year after year, despite her many skills and talents. We couldn't do it without you Jen 💐!

* Where are you from and what brought you to this farm?

I am from Surrey, BC and moved to Powell River for my partners work. I had done a lot of outdoor labour jobs, but had never farmed and I wanted to give it a try!

* What's your favorite job on the farm, and why?

I love seeding and taking care of the seedlings in the greenhouse. It's a place where I can really take ownership of my work and really see the results.

* What's something you've learned here that surprised you?

Organic fresh celery is COMPLETELY different from what you can get the grocery store. So much more flavour.
What do you enjoy doing when you're not working in the fields?
I have a flower garden at home called Juniper Gardens. I make bouquets weekly and sell them at 32 Lake Cafe and Bakery.
I also love to read and I particularly love to read at the beach.

* What's your favorite way to eat or cook something we grow on the farm?

Kolhrabi Fritters!!!

* Do you have a farm hack you would like to share?

The amount of care and health that your seedlings have will really dictate how they will be as mature plants, so put about 75% of your plant care efforts there.

* If you could invite anyone to help with harvest for a day, who would it be, and why?

Literally anyone who wants to see how food grows and doesn't know what it takes. So much about food sustainability and even nutrition comes down to knowing how food is grown. I have a passion for sharing that information with others.

* What's one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

I mean not much, cause if you know me, you know I will tell you basically anything about myself. But if I had so say something maybe it's that I keep up with F1 racing.

* They call it a w**d or a pest, but you actually love...

Smartw**d is actually really pretty dried or pressed. Also, the blue colour is chicory is amazing!

* If you could leave readers with one tip, recipe, or piece of advice about eating locally or growing food, what would it be?

Cheaper is not always better, organic is not always more expensive. Budget more for your food, it's what fuels you.

When you garden every year you will fail at something and succeed at something else. One thing will become easier and you will be able to take on something new

07/25/2026

Happy Friday! Let's get excited for another week of the Central Farmers' Market tomorrow with these fine vendors. We're open from 10am to 1pm, rain or shine.

See you at the market! 🍒

07/23/2026