“I’d also like to raise awareness about growing at home. Even with a small space, you can grow a lot of things. It’s a calming activity and it’s super rewarding to cook with your own products.”
Maude is an urban farmer working in the greater Montreal area. Like a plant, she loves being in the sun and enjoying the outdoors. If she can put cream cheese and peanut butter on the same bagel, it’s because Maude is not afraid to try anything; she is curious, open-minded and likes to taste everything. Always positive, our farmer takes loving care of her plants and no garden can resist her.
With her meticulousness and dedicated attention, she constantly ensures the prosperity of your urban farm!
Let’s get to know her a bit… !
How did you fall into the world of agriculture?
While traveling, I worked on farms to allow me to travel longer and it was always a job that got me excited. It’s physical, it’s hot, it’s not easy, but it connects you so much with nature and the people you work with. It’s a really nice environment.
What change(s) do you want to make with urban agriculture?
I want to show that it is possible to produce food close by, even in the middle of the city. I would also like to raise awareness about growing food at home. Even with a small space, you can grow a lot of things. It’s a calming activity and it’s super rewarding to cook with your own produce.
What do you like most about your job?
Working outside. I mean, I spend my days tanning and working out! I enjoy every second of my summer!
If you could work in agriculture anywhere in the world, where would you go?
On an island like the Philippines or Hawaii for example. For the landscapes and the sea of course, but mostly because I think it’s very important for islands to be self-sufficient. Importing is very expensive but also very polluting. Producing your own food helps a lot for the environment, the cost of living, but also the health of the inhabitants by having access to fresh products.
If you were a vegetable, a herb or a plant, which one would you be? And why?
A radish! For its spiciness, for the fact that it stays fresh for a long time and that it grows extremely fast! Moreover, you can eat the surplus of the germination in micropousses and even the tops in salad or in pesto for example. Have you ever tried roasted radishes on the bbq? It’s really good! Super versatile as a vegetable. A bit like me actually!
If you had to give one ultimate gardening tip, what would it be?
My advice would be that there is no space too small or not sunny enough to have a garden. Be creative with your space, don’t be afraid to put a lot of things in one pot. Plants are super resilient and with a little love and fresh water, they will adapt. As far as light goes, I don’t think there is any such thing as bad sunlight, just bad choices of varieties. Do some research, there are many plants that don’t tolerate direct light well!