Rob Tovell
Rob is a 12 year resident of West Carleton, working within the high tech sector within Ottawa/Kanata.
Prior to moving to Ottawa for school, he was raised in a small farming community in Southern Ontario. Growing up, Rob spent a lot of time on his grandparents' farm and working on his uncles' farms. He also spent every summer helping his parents plant, maintain, and harvest their garden. Rob feels that it is important to continue growing in his own garden for his family, learning new techniques, and sharing some of what they harvest so that others can learn the importance of growing food. |
|
- What made you want to be a part of the Deep Roots Food Hub?
Prior to Deep Roots Food Hub, I was a part of a community garden and was able to bring that knowledge to the local community. Deep Roots Food Hub is a continuation of that and I like being able to work with like-minded people.
- What does food security mean to you?
Food security means being able to have access to healthy food affordably and to have the knowledge to provide for ourselves and others.
- What made you want to be a farmer?
It’s more of a hobby than actual farming. All my life my parents had a garden and I remember gardening at my parents’ and at my grandparents’ farm. It was great being able to see produce grow and have the access to fresh food whenever it was needed. Now, the reason I am a farmer is because I like knowing that what’s growing in my garden is clean and pesticide free while being able to provide healthy food for my family.
- How long have you been farming?
I’ve always grown something in my backyard, even in the city but I’ve been trying to incorporate it into my lifestyle officially for the last 3 years. It’s more of a large garden, it’s 3000 sq. feet. We also have a dozen chickens that provide us fresh eggs.
- What have you found the hardest thing about farming?
Finding the time for it, I still work full-time so trying to figure out the balance between work, family and farming.
- What is your proudest accomplishment?
I am most proud of learning about what I am growing and trying new things by seeing what works and what doesn’t. I also enjoy being able to share that learning process.
- If you had the power to solve one food related problem in the world, what would it be and why?
Allow everybody to have access to healthy food because not only do people need it, but it brings people together as a community.
