Shelter Farm offers access to 90 acres of farm land trough our incubator farm program
Total land size in acres
140 acres
Wooded Area
Yes - 50 acres
Expansion potential (acres)
No
State of the surface of the cultivable area
18" of organic soil with red peat underneath. No rocks. Soil is very acidic. Land has a 1% grade sloping toward the creek. Soil was cultivated for generations as a potato farm. Water table is very high. Crops require very little watering.
Description and historical use of land available for farming
The Shelter Farm is located 10 minutes from Port Alberni on Ship Creek Road. The farm comprises of 140 acres of land with approximately 90 acres cleared for cultivation. The fields have remained fallow for the last 15 years and is eligible for organic certification. Deer fencing was installed around two acres of land. 8 - 60' x 100' garden plots were developed. Permanent raised beds were built in 4 garden plots. Irrigation system were put in place. We conducted field trials of several crops to see what grows best in the soil. Potatoes, turnips, carrots, beets and squash did very well. As we are wanting to pursue organic certification only organic fertilizers and seeds have been used in our trials. We started a composting program at the farm.
Electricity
Yes - Using a generator presently. Putting in service to barn and greenhouse
Cell Service
Yes - Spotty
Long-term goal or vision for land
Known environmental hazards (wildfire area, flooding, etc.)
Yes - Peat soils are a carbon sink. When peat is tilled it releases the carbon. We are presently researching methods of low-till farming to lower our GHG emissions.
Current residents living on property
Yes - Renters in house
Availability of farm buildings
Yes - Several large barns on the property that were used to store potatoes
Land is fenced
Yes - 3 acres presently fenced for market gardening
Availability of farm machinery and tools
Yes - BCS tractor, rotary plow, power harrow, flail mower, flame weeder, silage tarps, hand tools
Water rights to these sources
Yes - Water license for 140 acres
On-site housing
No - Possible housing in the future for farm workers
Restricted access of visitors
Yes - Farm is accessible but entrance requires improvements for safety
Types of production you are open to
- Vegetable -
- Orchard/Fruit -
Agronomic potential
Excellent
Soil details
- Texture -
- Thick topsoil -
- General fertility (nutrients) -
- Good drainage -
Would you be willing to mentor or advise the entering farmer(s)?
Yes - We are offering Market Gardener training in partnership with North Island College
Do you require references from the farmer(s)?
Yes - Farm interns should complete the Market Gardener training program or have experience and a formal business plan
Agreement duration
Year by year agreement with option to renew each year
