Educator Profile: Troy Stozek

Farmer
Areas of Interest: Food justice through local food systems
Location: Cartwright: willing to travel to surrounding rural area
Contact: troystozek@gmail.com

I can speak about and facilitate discussions on:

• Strengths of local food systems
• BSE: what it is and was for farmers and communities
• Working with aboriginal people and what I have learned along the way

Potential Fit with Curriculum:

• Social Studies
• Geography
• Health

Biography

I grew up in a smaller town before leaving, like many other rural youth, for the so‐called brighter lights of the big city. In the end, I found out the city isn’t all it was made out to be, atleast not for me. But in the meantime, I strapped on my work boots and moved to Alberta, then moved to Winnipeg to pursue an education. I found my escapes from the city every summer though, and went tree planting in order to pay for school. Out there, in various parts of the vast boreal forest region I acquired a strong interest for the environment and also in community living. I also became very interested in agriculture, farming and where our food comes from and got involved with the Harvest Moon Society. My university education reflected those interests and ended up pursuing a masters degree in environmental studies, where my research focused on BSE and how it impacted farmers and rural communities. I also worked at the university as a researcher in northern Aboriginal communities, where I helped produce a documentary film on some of their struggles with industrial developments on their food systems and way of life.

Just recently, my roots pulled me back to living in a small town to chase my dream of farming alongside my partner, Michelle. We started up an organic market garden and plan on raising a variety of livestock, including cattle, chickens, hogs and bees. Farming and living close to the land fits well with our philosophies and desire to “live the change you want to see in the world”. Living rurally, growing food, marketing it locally and directly to eaters incorporates most of my passions and beliefs for a better, more sustainable planet and am happy to share my experiences with youth.