Cultivating Resilience: A Road Map for Salt Spring Farms

To build a more resilient food system, the Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust recently completed a deep dive into how our local farmers view emergency threats and how we can better show up for one another during a crisis. Led by Dr. Kerrie O’Donnell, the Cultivating Resilience report [LINK] combines findings from an island-wide survey and a hands-on community workshop to create a practical roadmap for our agricultural future.

Our Current Reality

Salt Spring farmers are exceptionally resourceful, but even the best-prepared farms face challenges when systems are disconnected. While 70% of the 35 farmers who answered our survey have already secured rainwater catchment and livestock feed, these physical assets are only half the story.

Our survey identified a critical readiness gap: 80% of farms lack Farm Emergency Plans, and 40% remain vulnerable to power-driven water failures. This is compounded by a connection gap, where 90% of farmers are unfamiliar with local emergency supports and 64% find their neighborhood PODs inactive. Bridging these links between individual effort and our local emergency systems is the next step in securing our island’s food future.

Solutions in Action

On March 8th, farmers and experts gathered for Farmer Preparedness Day to move from theory to practice. A key takeaway was a shift from fear to focus: experts noted that catastrophic wildfires like those we see in the BC interior are unlikely in our Coastal Douglas-Fir ecosystem. Instead, localized events are more probable—making neighbor-to-neighbor support a valuable tool.

Experts shared immediate tactics like the ‘Tarp Trick’ and fuel-ladder reduction via tree limbing. We also introduced the Farm Emergency Map, a tool used in other farming communities to help first responders navigate water sources and hazards. Local emergency experts at the event highlighted these maps as a high-priority resource that could act as a bridge between individual farm knowledge and the collective response needed during a crisis.

The Path Forward: Closing the Readiness Gap

The results are clear: while Salt Spring farmers have taken significant individual steps toward readiness, we can continue to strengthen our island’s resilience by focusing on four key areas:

1. Formalize Individual Farm Planning: Move strategies from the head to the page by completing written Farm Emergency Plans and Maps.

2. Enhance Infrastructure: Seek the technical and financial support needed for backup power and resilient water systems.

3. Activate Neighborhoods: Strengthen ties between farms and neighborhood PODs to build a more responsive and food-secure local emergency network

4. Clear Communication: Ensure every farmer knows how to access the Agriculture Coordinator and formal emergency supports.

   
   

3-Step Checklist for Farmers

1. Secure Your Info: Register at Alertable.ca and register for your Premises ID.

2. Build Your Plan: Use the Farm Emergency Plan and Buddy Farm Handshake templates [Link] to move your strategy from your head to the page.

3. Stay Connected: Your Neighborhood POD and Agriculture Coordinator, Daria Zovi, are your primary links for long-term support.

   
   

By bridging the link between individual farm efforts and local emergency systems, we aren't just preparing for a disaster—we are cultivating a cohesive, resilient food future for Salt Spring.

Driftwood Article

Cultivating Resilience: A Roadmap for Salt Spring’s Farms

By Kerrie O’Donnell, PhD

To build a more resilient food system, the Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust recently completed a deep dive into how our local farmers view emergency threats and how we can better show up for one another during a crisis. The resulting Cultivating Resilience report combines findings from an island-wide survey and a community workshop to create a practical roadmap for our agricultural future.

The Current Reality 

Salt Spring farmers are exceptionally resourceful, but even the best-prepared farms face challenges when systems are disconnected. While 70% of surveyed farmers have secured rainwater catchment and livestock feed, these physical assets are only half the story.

Our research identified a critical "readiness gap": 80% of farms lack formal emergency plans, and 40% remain vulnerable to power-driven water failures. This is compounded by a connection gap, where 90% of farmers are unfamiliar with local emergency supports and 64% find their neighborhood PODs inactive. Bridging these links is the next step in securing our island’s food future.

Solutions in Action 

At our March 8th Farmer Preparedness Day, experts shifted the focus from fear to localized action. While catastrophic wildfires are unlikely in our Coastal Douglas-Fir ecosystem, localized events are probable—making neighbor-to-neighbor support a vital tool.

Practical strategies shared included the ‘Tarp Trick’ to block embers from barns and the use of Farm Emergency Maps. Local emergency personnel highlighted these maps as a high-priority resource that bridges individual farm knowledge with a collective response.

The Path Forward 

By linking individual efforts with local emergency systems, we aren't just preparing for a disaster—we are cultivating a cohesive, resilient food future for Salt Spring. Farmers can take action by completing written plans and maps (templates on our website) and connecting with our Agriculture Coordinator to Emergency Services, Daria Zovi. We look forward to seeing CRD Emergency Services continue to engage directly with the agricultural sector.

Image/Graphics Suggestions:

Image captions. Left: Assistant Fire Chief Ken Akerman and Nancy Purssell reviewing farm shed fire-safety measures. Right: Dr. Ruth Waldick advising on forest-edge management to minimize fire movement.