Cultivating Community, Food and Land on a Regenerative Farm
Managing Director of Athiana Farms
PHOTOS: NINA LAFLAMME PHOTOGRAPHY
For Simran Panatch, food is much more than just something we feed our bodies—it is also a vessel for connection. This love of food has been a driving force in her academic and career pursuits, leading to her current role as the Managing Director of Athiana Acres, a 12-hectare regenerative farm in Steveston, Richmond.
Panatch (BSc FNH 2019) completed her undergraduate degree in LFS, an experience she describes as transformative. During her studies, she spent semesters abroad at the University of Copenhagen and National University of Singapore, gaining an international perspective on food
and health.
“Getting to try different cuisines and learn about food sciences in a different area was really interesting—the contrast of Europe and Southeast Asia and also my experience at UBC,” recalls Panatch.
Following her undergraduate studies, Panatch decided to further her education with a Master of Business Analytics at Sauder. She knew that she wanted to work in the food industry, but was not sure if the traditional paths of dietetics or nutrition were the right fit. After completing her master’s, Panatch worked in the food and beverage industry as a data analyst, but her connection to her family’s farming roots was never far from her mind.
Athiana Acres is named after the Panatch family’s ancestral village, Aittiana, in the northern Indian province of Punjab. Farming has been in her family for generations, and while she did not initially plan on becoming a farmer, it became a natural extension of her passion for food and entrepreneurship, a common topic of conversation in her family.
The Panatch family purchased the Steveston farm site in 2014 and in 2022, Simran took the lead in making it a hub where diverse products thrive—vegetables, fruits, herbs and cut-flowers. However, what sets Athiana Acres apart is its dedication to regenerative agriculture. Daniel Garfinkel, Athiana Acres’ Farm Director, was instrumental in creating the vision for Athiana Acres, and oversees all aspects of the farm’s production with his extensive experience in regenerative and organic agriculture.
“Regenerative agriculture means a lot of care put into soil health and biodiversity. There’s a focus on building up the ecosystems and being as intentional with what we’re putting into the soil as we are with the crops that we’re getting back from it,” explains Panatch.
There are four main regenerative practices that the farm follows: cover cropping, crop rotation, promoting biodiversity, and minimizing disturbance. These methods result in heathier soils without relying on chemicals and petroleum- based products as inputs. For example, cover cropping involves planting crops not for harvesting, but for the purpose of naturally adding organic matter into the soil, while crop rotation utilizes the unique properties of different crops— such as adding more nitrogen into the soil—to improve the resiliency of the ecosystem.
“We have over 250 different varieties of food and flowers on the farm. This biodiversity leads to different pollinators and insects coming to the farm, which helps with natural pest control and creates a more balanced and resilient ecosystem,” explains Panatch.
For Panatch, Athiana Acres is more than just a farm—it’s a space for education and community engagement. Her vision extends beyond growing food and to reconnecting people with the origins of their food and how farming can integrate into everyday life.
Panatch believes that the stereotypical image of farming does not always resonate with city dwellers: “I think it’s hard for people to feel connected to farming if what we’re mostly used to seeing is a more rustic, white picket fence experience.”
Athiana Acres aims to change that by offering farm tours, workshops, and community events where guests can experience farming firsthand. Examples of workshops include flower growing and bouquet making, and an introduction to organic, regenerative farming. This past year, the farm hosted a Long Table Dinner with popular Vancouver restaurant Anh & Chi, and Feast of Fields, a local food celebration and fundraiser.
Panatch‘s work at Athiana Acres reflects her belief that farming is more than just growing food—it can be a space to foster connections with the community and the land. Through regenerative agriculture, she is ensuring that the farm remains sustainable and resilient, while also cultivating a deeper relationship between people, their food, and the land that sustains them.
