LFS 496 Student Profile: Asalah, Farm hand at City Beet Farm
Supervisor: Liana Glass
What do you study?
Environment and Sustainability
What was your work placement?
Assisting with harvesting vegetables + flowers for City Beet’s weekly CSA and markets!
What did you get out of doing this placement?
I loved getting a deeper look + being immersed in our local food system. Getting my hands dirty every week and harvesting veg that goes to local organizations and their markets was so fulfilling
What was the most surprising thing about your work placement?
Contributing to a regenerative and sustainable food system can start small! City Beet Farm is a testament to that – by growing in front and backyards, they demonstrate how even little spaces can yield bountiful harvests. I dream of our local food system to be one where abundance is shared, public spaces are used to grow food or native gardens, and where everyone can feel more empowered and have access to be part of the system – whether that be through growing food themselves or getting to know and supporting their local farmers!
Why are you interested in working within the food system?
Why are you interested in working within the food system? All issues are interconnected and none exist in isolation, so after working in the environmental space for many years, I found that digging my hands in the soil and learning + being part of our food system was a tangible way for me to, quite literally get my hands dirty and do my part in working towards more regenerative, just, and equitable communities. I believe that the food system is the foundation of everything, and with one that is healthy, local, and accessible, our local communities can better work on building better futures, in all ways. Starting local and rippling outwards!
What would you like other students to know about the CSFS at UBC Farm?
Working in the food system and harvesting opportunities with LFS and the UBC Farm is fulfilling – it’s a wonderful way to cultivate meaningful connections, become equipped with hands on knowledge, and feel empowered to be a part in creating a more regenerative food system!