Farmer's Island

Storylines

In tiny towns and massive cities across Canada, it can be typical—and legal—to have a vegetable patch or a few chickens. But Newfoundland and Labrador has what many see as strict and outdated rules when it comes to growing your own food. Ironically, or perhaps relatedly, the province also has some of the highest rates of food insecurity in Canada. It's all part of why Frank Brown, a small town farmer, was appalled when he was told that his farm is a bylaw infraction, and that his animals have got to go. And he's not alone—some of Frank's neighbours were given the same notice. Caroline Hillier heads out to Summerford, Newfoundland to meet people who think producing their own food is plain common sense. And to find out what impact rules like these have on communities, beyond what we eat?