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 de
ep 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 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:
Formalize Individual Farm Planning: Move strategies from the head to the page by completing written Farm Emergency Plans and Maps.
Enhance Infrastructure: Seek the technical and financial support needed for backup power and resilient water systems.
Activate Neighborhoods: Strengthen ties between farms and neighborhood PODs to build a more responsive and food-secure local emergency network
Clear Communication: Ensure every farmer knows how to access the Agriculture Coordinator and formal emergency supports.
3-Step Checklist for Farmers
Secure Your Info: Register at Alertable.ca and register for your Premises ID.
Build Your Plan: Use the Farm Emergency Plan and Buddy Farm Handshake templates [Link] to move your strategy from your head to the page.
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.
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