Cancer diagnosis changed the way couple farms
When Hazel Tanner was diagnosed with cancer, she knew it was time to make a drastic change to the way she and her husband David were farming.
The couple had been farming grain and pulses conventionally since 1971. In 1998, they sold the sprayer and began the three-year transition process to become certified organic.
“I believe it’s the healthy, sustainable way to farm,” says Hazel. “Even before (the cancer), I had been wanting to change.”
It wasn’t an easy process to learn how to farm organically, though.
“We made a lot of mistakes to start off with,” David says. “Rebuilding your soil back up again is a big learning curve.”
At the time the Tanners went organic, it wasn’t all that common in Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry. They faced opposition, but say they’re happy with their decision.
And they learned all kinds of things along the way.
“The mustard that looks horrible in a field of lentils will help hold them up, shield them from getting disease and from the sun,” Hazel explains.
The couple has sage advice for other farmers interested in transitioning to organic:
“You have to go into it with your heart and not just an economic viewpoint,” says Hazel.
“We’ve seen people go into it without the understanding or desire to make things better and it doesn’t work.”
“Talk to other organic farmers — what they did and wished they’d have done,” David says.
“Don’t be discouraged by the opposition out there. I’m a walking testimony to alternative medicine and organic food after 25 years. It has to have some bearing on people,” Hazel adds.
The Tanners are also pedigreed seed growers and sell their older varieties, such as Katepwa wheat, to other organic farmers.
(For inquiries, email: pure.t.organics@sasktel.net.)
Look for the Pure T Organics stand at the Regina Farmers’ Market on Saturdays.
The Tanners sell a range of their homegrown grains and pulses, complete with recipe cards, in brown paper bags — all packaged at a food safety-approved facility.
One of their most popular products is a high-protein blend of ground green lentils and spelt, perfect for a veggie burger base or meatless cabbage rolls.
Pure T Organics’ products are also for sale on these websites that connect Saskatchewan farmers with consumers: localandfresh.ca farmerstable. localfoodmarketplace.com.
Jenn Sharp is a freelance writer in Saskatoon. Her first book, Flat Out Delicious: Your Definitive Guide to Saskatchewan’s Food Artisans, will be published by Touchwood Editions in April. Follow her on Twitter @Jennksharp, Instagram @flatoutfoodsk and Facebook.