I am forever grateful that my girlfriend Kate would rather have a garden composter than a Gucci bag. So last December, after a few months of not-so-subtle prodding to join the urban farming movement, I caved and surprised her with a chicken coop for Christmas.

Last November, I was invited to be the opening act for Jamie Oliver in front of an audience of 3,000 people at the Toronto Convention Center. It was a truly rock ‘n’ roll experience—complete with security guards, a smoke machine, and the ubiquitous back stage deli tray (albeit one stocked with artisanal cheeses and crusty [...]