Alternate Roots is taking shape on Gabriola, a Gulf Island located just outside Nanaimo. It is a small family run farm built on our personal values. Respect for the environment, continual learning incorporating new concepts, and supporting our community by providing healthy nutrient dense food at an affordable cost.
While we are just establishing our presence here, we have been raising animals, growing food, learning new skills and finding a rhythm with the earth since 2008.
Currently we are bringing together various heritage breeds, from local farms that match our values, to establish the Alternate Roots. Typically, our animals are born, raised and bred on pasture. Young ones are with mom, in amongst the herd or flock. We focus on raising heritage breeds and practice low intervention, avoiding alterations like tail docking, clipping teeth or wings.
It is important to us that all of our animals lead the best life they can amongst nature foraging for their food, supplemented with vegetables from the food recovery program, non-GMO and non-medicated feed and whole grains.
We are very influenced by permaculture principles. Permaculture is a design language utilized in the planning and design of a farm which mimics patterns seen in natural ecosystems. Sustainability, self-sufficiency and community support are key elements of permaculture.
Learn More: Permaculture Principles
Totalitarian Agriculture has left us with approximately 60 years of topsoil. That means 60 more harvests. It is upon us as growers to do something different while feeding our community.
Regenerative Agriculture focuses on building soil while growing nutrient dense food.
Learn More: Regenerative Agriculture
There are seven pillars of food soveriegnty: 1 Focuses on food for people, 2 Builds knowledge and skills, 3 Works with nature 4 Values food providers, 5 Localizes food systems, 6 Puts control locally, 7 Food is sacred. Via Campesina defines food sovereignty as “the right of Peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems.”
Learn more:Sovereignty
Pork is priced per pound. Average package sizes are noted where possible.
