Imagine Your Farm Thriving Through a Wildfire
- SSI Farmland Trust
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
This might sound silly, but what if we actually thrived through a wildfire? What would that even look like?
Believe it or not, hitting pause on our valid concerns and allowing ourselves to step into the land of make-believe is a powerful tool. When we imagine ourselves thriving, we actually build the capacity to do it in real life.
So let’s try it: The smoke is thickening, and an evacuation alert is issued for your neighbourhood. Instead of panic, there is a rhythmic, practiced response. Your friend on the other side of the island calls to check in and offers to help move your sheep to their extra paddock. You open your Emergency Plan, and the weight lifts from your shoulders. You don’t have to think in this crisis; you simply follow the steps you’ve already laid out.
That’s just one possible future. I wonder what yours looks like?
Our Island Superpower
Moving from make-believe to reality is easier than we think. We often assume emergency prep is a lonely, scary business—just you and a bunker. But in my research for the Farmland Trust, I’ve learned that the most resilient communities aren't the ones hiding away; they are the ones with the strongest ties. Salt Spring’s deep sense of connection is easily our greatest superpower, and it’s one we can lean on when things get chaotic.
An Invitation to Prepare Together
To help turn this vision into a reality, the SSI Farmland Trust is hosting Farmer Preparedness Day on Sunday, March 8th. This is a day of practical hope and collaborative problem-solving for farmers of all scales—from market gardeners to farm stand veterans.
We’ve gathered local leaders to share insights on ecological solutions and fire safety, including Ruth Waldick, Mitchell Sherrin, and Daria Zovi. We’ll be walking through emergency scenarios together and showcasing inspiring examples of local farmers who are already putting these resilience strategies to work.
Event Details
When: Sunday, March 8th, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm
Where: A cozy local farm (Location provided upon RSVP)
Cost: Free (Includes a delicious catered lunch)
What you’ll walk away with:
Actionable Steps: Concrete strategies you can implement on your farm tomorrow.
Deepened Connections: A peer support system that exists before, during, and after a crisis.
Practical Confidence: The peace of mind that comes from being prepared and connected.
Space is limited to 20 participants to ensure we can have deep, focused conversations. Please join us in building a future we can all look forward to.
RSVP by Wednesday, February 25th
or email Shannon: sfarmer@ssifarmlandtrust.org
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