Attention farmers: UFV is hungry to learn more about what you do and how you do it!

The University of the Fraser Valley’s Food and Agriculture Institute is seeking data with the aim of improving local food systems.

Professors Michelle Superle and Cherie Enns of the University of the Fraser Valley’s Food and Agriculture Institute (UFV_FAI.ca) are collecting information from farmers in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, partly in response to food security concerns arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Farmers are invited to share their ideas and experiences by using the new “Cultivate Connect” website application, found at CultivateConnect.ca, to respond to a short survey (10 questions). The deadline to complete the survey is Thursday, December 10.

“We are re-envisioning food in the Fraser Valley to connect those who grow, process, sell, and eat within this region,” notes Superle. “Our goal is to help farmers increase profitability, while making local food more accessible to consumers and reducing food waste. Farmers can help provide innovative solutions by sharing their ideas and experiences.”

The 10-question survey takes about five minutes to complete.

“If you have five minutes now to provide answers, then you’ll get information that could help improve your farm business within the local food ecosystem for years to come,” notes Superle. “Your response will help create new food systems that could improve current challenges you face in your business. Our ultimate goal is to better connect farmers with profitable local markets.”

“The results from the survey will help us better understand what is happening currently in local agriculture,” she adds. “We will study the results and make recommendations to the university, community groups, municipalities, and government organizations for strengthening local food systems connections.”

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