I suppose it all began when my mom encouraged me as a little girl to help in the garden and participate in a local horticulture show every year at Parkland Nurseries in Red Deer. I never really considered horticulture as a career, writing it off in my young adult years as “too expensive”, “not profitable”, and “too much risk”.

I moved away from the family farm to expand my horizons and discover who I was. I went to the University of Calgary and completed a degree in Archaeology and Canadian History… a neat path… but it turned out I wasn’t cut out to work in a windowless lab for months on end, in an office downtown Calgary, be a rush hour commuter, nor enter into the post-grad world… nope, not for me.

Continuing my journey, I got married, did some travelling, and worked at a “normal” retail job (which I didn’t actually hate; I liked talking to people, the energetic work environment, the opportunity to be creative, and learning about the art of selling). This gave me an opportunity to save up some money so my husband and I could hit the road and do some more traveling. We decided to tour the entire west side of the United States - rock climbing, hiking, and backpacking - finding adventure at every fork in the road; living cheap and dirt bagging it out of the back of our yellow Dodge Dakota. It was a time before #vanlife took off.

Through my adventures, I found my calling to work in environmentalism and conservation. I decided to go back to school at Vancouver Island University, where I would obtain a diploma in Resource Management Officer Technology. This was a great experience. I loved it all and was so excited to work in the law enforcement sector of resource management. I got to work all over the place, in different environments, which I loved. I worked for Alberta and BC as a Park Ranger, got full time as a Natural Resource Officer with the BC government, then finally moved on to the BC Conservation Officer Service. I stayed with the BCCOS for nearly 5 years, however, stress and burnout started to take its toll.

I always wanted to own my own business and have kept a journal of business ideas over the last 13 years. I never thought I could do it… always making an excuse that it was not feasible for “this” reason or “that” reason…

…until now.

I started to read books on entrepreneurship and business. I started to research and think about business ideas. Then one day - it came to me.

The initial entrepreneurial concept I had was a cottage business called H20Rainbow Cottage Crafts and Garden. Based on my creativity and wanting to make things for people, this concept failed. Having invested little time and effort into the project, I wasn’t heartbroken, but I knew that I needed to change directions in order to pursue entrepreneurship as a profession and figure out a concept that would survive through pandemics, natural disasters, and full-on zombie apocalypse.

Food: Growing a Nourishing Connection

Throughout my journey in the world of entrepreneurship and horticulture, I gradually discovered a fundamental truth: people need food. I embarked on a mission to enhance my business and make it more in line with the preferences of the people around me. As a testament to my deep-rooted passion, I have nurtured and maintained a backyard garden since I was just a small child, dedicating my efforts whenever circumstances would permit.
One of my initial ventures involved connecting with the community through the sale of homegrown vegetables sourced directly from my garden. The response was overwhelmingly positive. It became evident that people not only wanted fresh, chemical-free produce but were also looking for a connection with the food they consumed in a post-pandemic world.
I strongly believe in the power of food and have been making continuous efforts to promote sustainable, regenerative and environmentally conscientious practices. My efforts have not only fostered a sense of community and shared responsibility but also inspired others to connect with the environment and embrace the nourishing power of homegrown provisions.

This got me thinking… my day job continued to deteriorate my happiness and well-being… I needed a change. During this time my backyard garden grew bigger, and bigger, and bigger… unintentionally (or intentionally… depending on how you look at it). It became my place of refuge to escape from the stress of my day job. My gardens allowed me to make a positive impact on the world, in my small way. It became a place where I put all my energy, and it reciprocated that energy.

I was going to do it right this time….

I enrolled in an online business school with Thompson Rivers University and completed a course in entrepreneurship. During this time I read book upon book about the business viability of a market garden operation. Jean-Martin Fortier's The Market Gardener planted the seed. I decided this was the pivot I needed to make.

Days and days of research about veggies and business planning, I finally got the courage to pitch the idea to my brother, Caleb Bickford, who is planning on taking over the grain operation of the family farm in Red Deer County, Alberta. Over a Christmas visit, I sat at the kitchen table in my Nanaimo house with my sister-in-law and brother and showed them the research. They were on board and enthusiastic about the opportunity to diversify farm operations to include a market garden.

Then there was the phone call with my parents (the owners of A and B Bickford Farms - now a 3rd generation farm business). I pitched them the idea. They were excited and supportive of the possibilities my business concept brought to the table. I then broke down in tears and all the stress of my day job surfaced for my parents to hear over the phone. They told me to come home.

Growing the concept

I had already been developing a different prototype concept in Nanaimo, called “The MicroFarm on Green Lake.” I used this passion project as a trial by fire before committing to the move back home.

The MicroFarm was an experiment - not only with products and services - but also with business concepts of how a market garden could (and should) operate. I learned a lot and made some changes to the original business idea to explore avenues of proven success. The cutting flower garden idea came to me one day when I put a flower arrangement in the farmstand and was offered money for it despite it not being for sale. I realized that there might be an opportunity with this (as I have always typically grown and arranged cutting flowers for my own personal enjoyment). I never thought in a million years that cutting flowers would be something people want!

Another experiment commenced and I started putting together arrangements and bouquets for sale in the farmstand and for custom order. People wanted them. And I loved that people wanted them, because I loved growing and making them. I started seeking formal training opportunities and completed a number of courses on floristry and floral design.

Through the journey of what “was” the Microfarm I learned a lot about the business, what works, what doesn’t, what is important, and what isn’t. I quit my day job and decided to take the leap into the market garden entrepreneur world.

It’s funny what we take for granted and write off in our lives. Very simple things like cutting flowers in my garden and harvesting some beans and potatoes for supper were things I have always done. I just never realized it was something that I should be doing.

I've found solace in my garden during difficult times and have come to appreciate the joys of farm life, something I never fully understood despite being raised in it.

Thanks Mom and Dad, I get it now.

I’m home.

Cait

Operations Manager and Floral Designer, Homegrown Horticulture (a division of A and B Bickford Farms)