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This year’s BC Seed Mentorship Program brought together new and experienced seed growers to share knowledge and strengthen connections. We caught up with Erica and Chad of Hidden Track Farm, along with their mentor Rebecca Jehn, to hear about their experiences in the program. Read on to learn more.
Interview with Erica and Chad of Hidden Track Farm
What did you hope to get out of this mentorship experience?
Our goals for this mentorship were quite specific: gaining a deeper understanding of specific bean varieties, cross-pollination and isolation needs, and system efficiencies. What we didn’t expect was how hands-on Rebecca would be, joining us for planting and harvesting days in the field. This created space for lots of conversation. In farming, there isn’t just one right way to do things – there are pros and cons to every approach. It’s been so nice to have someone to talk through all the tiny details. It felt like we were constantly pelting her with questions, and she was all in!
What’s your favourite bean variety and why?
It’s utterly impossible to pick a favourite. There are the most delicious ones, the ones that grow the best, the simplest to harvest, and the most beautiful. Well, they are really all incredibly beautiful. The variety and colours in heirloom beans are astonishing.
What advice would you give a new mentee or mentor?
Come prepared. Really think about what your current gaps are, and what you want to learn. Chances are that your mentor has solved those problems or has that knowledge and is just waiting to share.
What have been some moments of surprise or joy?
We expected to have a professional relationship with our mentor, but have been pleasantly surprised to discover friendship. What a gift.
From Rebecca Jehn:
When I first met Erica and Chad of Hidden Track Farm and discovered that they wanted me as a mentor to learn about growing dry beans, it was very exciting. Since I have retired from farming, I have wondered what would happen to all the crops I grew and the customers who depended on those crops for their food supply. One of these crops was dry beans so Erica’s and Chad’s interest in this crop was wonderful. They grew quite a few of the varieties in my collection and want to grow more in the future so the Greater Victoria area will have access to unusual, heirloom varieties of dry beans. It is always rewarding when a legacy is carried on by someone and hopefully will be passed on again in the future.
I was very surprised to learn that Erica and Chad are cousins to a very good friend of mine. It is always wonderful to learn how close the connections are in our community.
I think the biggest challenge in this mentorship was all of the jobs that Erica and Chad have had this summer. There are the house renovations and their off-farm jobs which have been all consuming. Dry beans were the perfect crop to choose when one’s life is very busy as they need less care than other crops and can stand adverse conditions better. Both Erica and Chad have done an amazing job with all of the balls they are juggling and the dry bean crop has been very successful.
What a difficult question to choose one bean variety since there are so many favourites. The best one can do is choose a variety for a special purpose. For instance, True Cranberry makes the best baked beans, Agate Pinto the best refries, Orca and Mojave are great in bean salads because they retain separate colours even after cooking, Black Coco, Hidatsa Shield Figure and Hutterite Soup are great in soups and stews, 1500-Year-Old Cave Beans have a thinner skin so are great for people who have a sensitivity to beans, Black Kabouli make the best hummus and Ireland Creek Annie will always be a favorite since it is the first dry bean I grew and it started me on the path to growing dry beans.
The best advice for any mentor or mentee is to avoid taking on too much. Choose one project, plan well and then always think of the things you have accomplished rather than what didn’t get done.
Erica (left) and Rebecca (right)
