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 Pat and Evellyn Coleman operate a small farm in Hay River's Paradise Valley. The Colemans say it's a lifestyle choice to farm in the North. They still need to maintain jobs outside the farm though, unlike those involved in the southern agriculture industry. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo |
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
The Hay River farmer rejects the words "part-time," "subsistence" and "hobby."
"Maybe it's a lifestyle choice," she says.
She says there is also a misconception that no one is serious about farming in the NWT, compared to other parts of Canada. "We're just as serious as anyone who wants that lifestyle choice."
However, like virtually all other farmers in the NWT, neither Evellyn nor her husband, Pat, are full-time farmers.
She is the executive director of the Territorial Farmers Association, while he is an equipment operator with the GNWT in Enterprise.
"We don't have much spare time," Pat says, noting he gets up at 5:30 a.m. to get everything done on the farm before heading out to Enterprise.
As for why they are farmers, Evellyn says she believes store-bought food has too many chemicals. "I just think it's a healthier lifestyle choice."
Pat simply says he enjoys farming.
The Colemans operate an 8.5-acre farm in Paradise Valley, about 24km from the centre of Hay River. There are 15 agriculture parcels -- ranging in size from six to 10 acres -- in the area.
In a typical year, they have chickens, a few cows, a vegetable garden, and a tree and shrub nursery.
They say almost no one in the NWT has enough land to grow anything profitable.
Although, Pat jokes, "It depends on what you're growing. If you're growing marijuana, yes."
He says some people would likely try to make a living at farming if there was more land available.
Evellyn says there is a lot of arable land from Fort Smith to Fort Liard.
However, she doesn't blame the lack of available land solely on land claim negotiations. "I don't know if land claims are as much of a barrier as people think."
In fact, she believes the Dene and Metis are becoming more open to the idea of agriculture.
When the Colemans wanted to move to Paradise Valley from Enterprise 10 years ago, they had to work for 18 months to lease land through Municipal and Community Affairs. They now own their land.
Pat says government concentrates on oil and diamonds, and it is hard to get any focus on farming. "This is not a big-dollar thing."
He says there should be more focus on a renewable resource like farming. "If you manage it right, it could be around forever."
