BC Farmers’ Markets Announce Winners of Third Annual “Ode to A Farmer” Poetry Contest
September 23, 2015 (VANCOUVER, BC) – On this first day of fall, when farmers’ fields across the province are brimming with produce ready for harvest, the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM) is sharing praise for the province’s agricultural community, with the announcement of the winners of the third annual Ode to A Farmer Poetry Contest. The contest is part of the BCAFM’s celebration of Farmers Appreciation Week (September 12 to 19), an annual event highlighting the important contributions that local food and farmers make to our lives. BC residents of all ages were encouraged to demonstrate their appreciation for BC farmers by submitting their best Ode to a Farmer poem.
The grand prize was awarded to Taylor Theodore, of Langley, for her poem, “Ode to a Farmer, From his Love.”
“I live in the Lower Mainland and I see farming and agriculture everywhere,” said Theodore. “An Ode to A Farmer [contest] challenges us to think critically about where our food comes from. To think about the labour and love that all farmers put into their product before we, the consumer gets a hold of it. I'm hoping this poem can shed light on the efforts of everyone involved in the farming industry including the patient spouses, who are often just as involved in the farming process."
The number of poems entered into the contest grew from 72 in 2014 to 120 in 2015. In addition to the grand prize, a winner from each region of BC was selected. The six winning poems are available on the BCAFM website.
Author, Renée Sarojini Saklikar, was one of three accomplished BC writers to judge the contest. “This year’s crop of poems, from across British Columbia, revealed a depth of insight into the world of farming, and the people who work the land,” said Saklikar. “Poems ranged in topic from farmers to migrant workers, from the love a wife for her partner, to food poems about fruits, vegetables, and animals. Kudos to BC Farmers’ Markets for encouraging us to write about our passion for this place we call home.”
Saklikar is author of the thecanadaproject. Her work appears in various literary journals, newspapers and anthologies, including Geist and Contemporary Verse 2: The Canadian Journal of Poetry and Critical Writing (CV2). Tamara Leigh and Ronda Payne also served as contest judges. Tamara Leigh is a freelance agriculture journalist, President of the BC Farm Writers Association, and FarmHugger blogger. Ronda Payne is an accomplished agricultural writer and reporter. She is a regular contributor to Country Life in BC and various other publications.
- Grand Prize and Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Regional Winner: “Ode to a Farmer, From his Love.” by Taylor Theodore
Regional Winners
- Cariboo Chilcotin: “Green is My Garden” by Bev Gentles
- Kootenay Rockies: “Ode To A Farmer” by Owen Morris
- Northern BC: “Home stead” by Eric Depenau
- Thompson Okanagan: “farmer's ode” by Richard Frank Kozlowski
- Vancouver Island/Gulf Islands: “Secret” by Shannon Reilly-Yael
The BCAFM is a not-for-profit association that represents 125 farmers’ markets across the province and works to support, develop and promote farmers’ markets in all regions of BC. For more information on the BCAFM or to find a farmers’ market near you, visit www.bcfarmersmarket.org.
CONTACT:
Georgia Stanley, Communications Manager
BC Association of Farmers’ Markets
604 -734 - 9797
GRAND PRIZE WINNER:
Grand Prize and Vancouver, Coast & Mountain Regional Winner:
Ode to a Farmer, From his Love. By Taylor Theodore
I see you out in the field day after day
I see you on the tractor plowing away
I see you early mornings before the sun is awake
I see you late nights praying for your plants to take
I see you hunched over pulling the weeds
I see you spray water for photosynthesis needs
I see you dance around while expecting the rain
I see you jumping for joy when that day finally came
I see you are proud to feed the people around town
I see you smile when they can’t put your produce down
I see you burst with joy when our kids want to help
I see you are patient when they tried to plant kelp
I see you year after year with a smile on your face
I see you not being able to live any other place
I see you healthy and happy farming away
I see you ecstatic for the crop grown today
I see you are grateful for everything in life
I see you are thankful that I stayed a farmer’s wife
For more poems, visit their website, www.bcfarmersmarket.org