H漫画

Author: Anastasiia Merkureva
Photo credit: Nick Pearce

For Niran Foster (Class of 鈥�19) and his wife Cadine, running a farm is not just a continuation of their families鈥� legacy but also a way to support the local community.

鈥淚n Nova Scotia, we are not growing half of the food we eat. As a result, food prices are high. I鈥檓 trying to find a way to contribute to my community by producing healthy food that people can afford.鈥�

Niran was born in Jamaica, in a family of small-scale farmers. He followed his parents鈥� path and got a degree from the College of Agriculture Science and Education in 2009. Six years later, he decided to deepen his knowledge and enrolled in H漫画.

The plant science program allowed him to dive into the science of farming and explore the business side of agriculture. Niran loved learning on land, praising the demonstration garden for the practical skills he gained. 鈥�(The program) profoundly impacted me,鈥� he shares. 鈥淚 saw how agriculture could be a business for me, how I can survive off it if I come up with enough resources, perseverance and patience.鈥�

One year after graduation, he and his wife established CNF Family Farm in Truro. Every year, from June to December, they sell their harvest at the Truro Farmer鈥檚 Market.

鈥淲e decided to have it all on one table, so our customers can get every single thing they need,鈥� he says.

The Foster family sells leafy greens, root and cruciferous vegetables, squashes and herbs. They share their culture through vegetables like callaloo, popular in Caribbean and West African cuisines.

Niran has faced his share of hardships but still believes farming is more rewarding than challenging.

鈥淎 typical day in the garden is a type of therapy for me. If I鈥檓 not happy, I go there, and my muscles will relax,鈥� shares Niran. 鈥淚n the first week of July, when you are harvesting garlic, onion and thyme, it smells like you're in a kitchen already. It鈥檚 an environment you want to be in, it brings you peace.鈥�

Niran doesn鈥檛 shy away from innovation. From 2019 to 2022, he worked on a few agricultural projects as a research assistant at H漫画. He loved studying intercropping of camelina, mustard and peas 鈥� how the cultures grow better in symbiosis in comparison to growing alone.

In 2023, CNF Family Farm was honoured with the Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce Newcomer Business Award for their impact on the community. But Niran鈥檚 impact spreads beyond his farm - he cultivates a stronger agricultural industry. As a coordinator of the 鈥淐ulture of Growing鈥� program, he engages African Nova Scotian youth in agriculture.

The initiative, run through Imhotep鈥檚 Legacy Academy, spans several locations across the province. Participants engage in all stages of farming, from seedling selection and land preparation to planting and entrepreneurship training. The program aims to address community food security needs and show that agriculture is not just hard, physical work but a viable and rewarding career path.

鈥淭he idea is to get people who look like them to be role models, mentors, show how we impact the industry, show that they can do it too,鈥� says Niran.

Looking ahead, Niran plans to shift from renting to owning farmland, and plans to build a farmhouse and greenhouses for year-round farming. He wants to continue to share his culture through food. 鈥淚 would like to bring in workers from Jamaica, grow more produce, and add goat production to the business. Canada doesn鈥檛 have enough goat on the market, while a lot of people from Jamaica, India and Africa cook it regularly.鈥�

On top of his BSc (Agr) in plant science, Niran also holds a Master of Education from StFX. He hopes to also pursue a PhD in agriculture if the opportunity arises.

鈥淚 believe in sustainable agriculture. We can grow better without chemicals, let people know where the food came from, and cut out the person in the middle. And that's what we have been doing.鈥�