Spring Foraging
By juliana cao on May 16, 2025
Spring Foraging
About the Workshop
How would you survive without a grocery store? Chef Robin Kort will teach you how to find wild spring treasures; edible trees like evergreens, delicious wildflowers, introduced edibles like pineapple weed, turkey tail mushrooms and native species like wild licorice roots that you can find in coastal forests and meadows. This workshop will cover everything you need to know to safely gather, prepare and cook unique flavours found only in nature. This is an identification walk only (no picking) and includes a sampling of wild edibles and an open discussion with wildcraft expert Robin Kort.
About the Instructor
Your instructor chef Robin Kort is a cookbook author and sommelier who has had a lifetime of finding and cooking delicious BC coastal wild plants and mushrooms. She is excited to share her collected culinary research with you, connecting the dots from wilderness to plate and revealing delicious secrets from the forest to sea. Her advice is to gently follow the seasons and harvest what is offered; shoots leaves in spring, summer seaweeds, flowers, fish and fruit, fall roots and mushrooms, and in winter seafood. Take the utmost care to pick only what is abundant, share what you gather and leave the rest for other beasts.
Date and Time
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Location
UBC Farm
Cost
- General: $42 (includes GST)
- Students and Seniors: $34.65 (includes GST)
Register Now
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By sara124 on April 25, 2025
Agricultural data governance from the ground up: Exploring data justice with agri-food movements
Photo: Annalee Kornelsen / Sage Journals
March 25, 2025
As agriculture becomes increasingly data-driven, CSFS Associate Hannah Wittman and co-author Sarah-Louise Ruder explore how farmers and agri-food movements are responding to top-down data systems. Drawing on 40 workshops and events across the Americas, their research highlights the need for more equitable, justice-focused approaches to data governance.
“Digital technologies will not serve farmers and other food system workers unless these actors have access to data and, importantly, the capacity to determine how it can be used, by whom, and for what purposes,” they state. Their work sheds light on the risks of current data practices and the opportunities to build systems that centre farmer agency and food sovereignty.
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By sara124 on April 25, 2025
How ‘parks for bugs’ boost pollinators in Vancouver
Photo: Jens Ulrich / UBC News
April 22, 2025
New UBC research led by CSFS associate Dr. Risa Sargent and PhD student Jens Ulrich shows that small changes to urban green spaces can have a big impact on pollinators. The study found that planting wildflower meadows and reducing mowing in city parks—creating so-called “parks for bugs”—increased wild bee and hoverfly diversity by up to 47 species over three years.
In collaboration with the City of Vancouver, the study highlights how even small patches of habitat can support biodiversity. These findings are shaping city planning and offer simple steps anyone can take, like planting native flowers or mowing less, to make urban spaces more pollinator-friendly.
Read the full article at UBC News.
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By sara124 on December 16, 2024
Plastic or pine: Which Christmas tree is better for the planet?
Photo: Jennifer Gauthier / The Record
December 13, 2024
Dr. Kai Chan, a professor at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, and Dr. Johan Foster, a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, weighed in on the debate between choosing a plastic or real Christmas tree. According to Dr. Chan, while the environmental impact of your holiday tree matters, it is part of a much larger issue of overconsumption during the season. “Ultimately, the amount of attention this gets is just way more than it merits in the face of the magnitude of the problem we’re facing,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of rethinking holiday traditions to reduce overall consumption. Dr. Foster echoed this sentiment, stating, “There’s not an easy answer,” but stressed that keeping a plastic tree for decades or choosing a local and sustainably disposed real tree can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
When it comes to choosing the most sustainable option, both professors agree that small decisions can add up. Dr. Foster recommends extending the life of artificial trees by keeping them for 10 to 20 years, ensuring they stay out of the sun to prevent plastic degradation. For those who opt for natural trees, proper recycling, such as tree chipping, is key. “I prefer a live tree,” Foster shared, recalling his childhood in McBride, B.C., where his family would collect trees from nearby forests. Ultimately, whether you choose plastic, natural, or even a rented potted tree, Dr. Chan suggests that it’s about adopting mindful, low-impact traditions that align with your values while helping to protect the planet.
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By melanie kuxdorf on December 11, 2024
Feeding the Community
The Little Mountain Food Hub
How Little Mountain Neighbourhood House and the UBC Farm Practicum Are Tackling Food Insecurity
By UBC Community Engagement
For four years, the UBC Farm Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture has partnered with the Little Mountain Neighbourhood House (LMNH) Food Hub to address growing food insecurity in Vancouver’s Little Mountain Community.
Each year, Practicum students donate hundreds of kilograms of fresh produce to the LMNH Food Hub, honing their skills in organic farming while contributing to an initiative that fosters community relationships, food justice, and food sovereignty.
UBC Community Engagement has published a story about this partnership, with several interviews including one with Art Bomke, Founder of the LMNH Yard Garden Harvest Project and an important supporter of the creation of the UBC Farm. As well as Breagha Zakaib, a Practicum grad who is now working with Little Mountain.
“The Practicum was the highlight of my time at UBC. I learned so many new skills and realized how much more I enjoy hands-on learning. It was great to be able to have a discussion or guest lecture from someone and immediately go out on the field and put that knowledge into practice.”
— Breagha Zakaib, an alumna of UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems, UBC Farm Practicum Grad, and the Yard Garden Harvest Coordinator at Little Mountain Neighbourhood House.
Read the full story and excellent interviews via UBC Community Engagement.
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By melanie kuxdorf on December 5, 2024
Celebrating UN World Soil Day: Caring for Soils at UBC Botanical Garden and the UBC Farm
Soil at the UBC Farm
Learn all about soil this UN World Soil Day! From what’s in a name to why soil is important, check out the fantastic new article the UBC Farm and UBC Botanical Garden co-authored all about soil.
December 5, 2024
Want to learn what you can do to care for soil? Here’s a teaser from the blog:
How to care for soil at home:
- Leave the leaves – leaves provide food and shelter to many organisms in the cold months, and they add nutrients into the soil as they decompose.
- Garden sustainably – grow native plants, mulch bare soil, conserve water and avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
- Start a worm bin or compost pile – close the loop by giving your food scraps back to the soil! More resources for this are available through City Farmer.
- Get to know your soil – learn how to do a quick at home soil health analysis.
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By sara124 on November 27, 2024
Protecting nature can safeguard cities from floods
Photo: Everyday Science / scientificinquirer
November 26, 2024
A recent study led by Dr. Matthew Mitchell of the faculty of forestry and the faculty of land and food systems highlights how safeguarding key watersheds in Canada can significantly reduce the risk of flooding in urban areas, protecting millions of lives and vital infrastructure. “This is the first national study to assess the role of Canadian ecosystems in flood prevention and to identify where conservation could have the greatest impact,” Dr. Mitchell explains. By preserving just five percent of the country’s most crucial watersheds, cities can mitigate rainwater runoff, shield homes, and safeguard agricultural lands.
The research emphasizes the effectiveness of nature-based solutions, such as forests, wetlands, and riparian zones, in managing flood risks while also reducing reliance on costly infrastructure like dams. These ecosystems not only absorb water but also improve water quality and support wildlife. As Dr. Mitchell puts it, “Conserving nature isn’t just about biodiversity—it’s also about protecting communities and making cities more resilient to climate change.” The study underscores the urgency of prioritizing these high-impact areas, calling for stronger conservation policies and investments to enhance urban resilience in the face of a changing climate.
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By sara124 on November 21, 2024
Researchers study how to breed queen bees in Canada
Photo: Western Producer / SaskToday
November 19, 2024
CSFS Associate Dr. Leonard Foster, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of British Columbia, is leading a $4.5 million research initiative focused on breeding queen bees and nucleus colonies in Canada. This project aims to mitigate the significant hive losses Canadian beekeepers face during winter while reducing dependence on imported bees. Dr. Foster highlighted the importance of this work, stating, “Developing region-specific overwintering strategies will help Canadian beekeepers sustain their colonies through harsh winters and reduce the risks associated with importing bees, such as disease transmission and biosecurity threats.”
Funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and the Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative, this research takes a localized approach, tailoring strategies to different provinces. Dr. Foster emphasized the long-term benefits, saying, “By fostering domestic stock replacement, we strengthen Canada’s apiculture industry and promote sustainable practices that align with our unique climate conditions.” This effort promises to provide Canadian beekeepers with practical solutions while boosting resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
Read the full article at SaskToday.
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By sara124 on November 21, 2024
The importance of cooking meat thoroughly: B.C. man says he received raw chicken burgers in KFC delivery
Photo: Anubhav Pratap-Singh / Faculty of Land and Food Systems
November 18, 2024
Dr. Anubhav Pratap-Singh, a food safety expert from the University of British Columbia, emphasized the risks associated with consuming undercooked chicken, which may harbor harmful pathogens such as salmonella and E. coli. These microorganisms can pose life-threatening risks, particularly for vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. The incident underscores the critical role of stringent food safety practices, especially in establishments serving high volumes of customers.
“Serving undercooked chicken in a restaurant setting is a severe lapse in food safety,” Dr. Pratap-Singh stated. “Proper cooking temperatures must always be maintained to eliminate harmful pathogens and ensure public health.”
Read the full article at Global News .
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By juliana cao on November 20, 2024
Nikolai Neun-Hornick
Nikolai Neun-Hornick – 2022 Graduate of the UBC Farm Practicum
Job Title
Farm Manager
What is your occupation?
Mixed vegetable and flower farmer
What path did you take after your practicum to arrive at your current occupation?
After the practicum, I collaborated with four of my fellow practicum students to rent 0.4 acres of land in Burnaby and start a small farm business. Together we ran a thirty-share CSA program and grew a wide variety of vegetables for a year all the while working our other full-time jobs. We turned a weed filled plot into a productive vegetable farm in a year with only the knowledge learned from the UBC Farm Practicum and some help from family and friends. During this time, I also started a job in Richmond where I worked as the Lead Field Assistant at a farm. In this position, I got to work through a full farming season, taking part in all aspects of farm work including seeding, bed prep, planting, crop maintenance, processing and much more. Next, I took on the role of Farm Manager at that same farm and am currently still working in this position.
Are you currently involved in any other food or sustainability-related activities
The farm I work at is involved in numerous programs that address issues created by our current food system. A portion of our land is cultivated to provide for the Richmond Food bank and we donate up to 20,000lbs of produce a year for them. We also run a busy volunteer program increasing community involvement in the farm and run food-adjacent workshops throughout the season. I’m quickly finding that farming doesn’t leave much free time, but I do like to spend time I do have towards addressing the systemic issues that make impactful action on climate change and inequality impossible.
What would you like to tell folks who are considering a career in land and food systems?
Farming so far has been at the same time the most time-consumingly exhausting and rewarding job I’ve ever worked. I think if you are considering a career in farming, a program like the UBC Farm Practicum is vital to figuring out if it’s the career for you. Nothing replaces being able to actually work on a farm and experience all the highs as well as the lows that come along with it.
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