For Niran Foster (BSc Agr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're 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�
From a family of farmers
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Niran was born in Jamaica into a family of small-scale farmers. He followed his parents鈥� path and earned a degree from the College of Agriculture, Science, and Education in 2009. Six years later, he decided to deepen his knowledge and enrolled at 麻豆传媒.
麻豆传媒's Plant Science听program allowed Niran to dive into the science of farming and explore the business side of agriculture. He loved learning on the land, praising the demonstration garden for the practical skills he gained.
鈥�(The program) profoundly impacted me,鈥� he says. 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�
Starting a business
One year after graduation, he and his wife established CNF Family Farm in Truro. From June to December each year, they sell their harvest at the .
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.
Above: Niran (right) and Cadine (left) at the Truro Farmers Market. (Photo from听).听
Serenity in the garden
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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 relax,鈥� says Niran. 鈥淚n the first week of July, when you are harvesting garlic, onions and thyme, it smells like you're in a kitchen. It鈥檚 an environment you want to be in; it brings you peace.鈥�
Research, innovation and mentorship
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Niran doesn鈥檛 shy away from innovation. From 2019 to 2022, he worked on several agricultural projects as a research assistant at 麻豆传媒. He loved studying the intercropping of camelina, mustard and peas and how they grow better in symbiosis compared to growing alone.
In 2023, CNF Family Farm was honoured with the Newcomer Business Award for its impact on the community. But Niran鈥檚 impact extends beyond his farm听鈥� he is helping to cultivate a stronger agricultural industry.
As a coordinator for the听, he engages African Nova Scotian youth in agriculture. The initiative, run through , spans several locations across the province. Participants take part 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 also a viable and rewarding career path.
鈥淭he idea is to get people who look like them to be role models and mentors, to show how we impact the industry and that they can do it too,鈥� says Niran.
Related reading:听From tomatoes to ketchup: Culture of Growing provides hands鈥憃n agriculture opportunities to youth across Nova Scotia
Looking ahead
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Looking ahead, Niran plans to shift from renting to owning farmland and building a farmhouse and greenhouse 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 many 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 at StFX. He hopes to pursue a PhD in Agricultural Sciences 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�
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