The Big Bear Ranch is a family-operated farm in the Cariboo Region in British Columbia, Canada. It is located in the foothills of the beautiful Cariboo Mountains with hundreds of lakes and streams in the surrounding area.
Looking for future farmers keen to participate in the current food production practices (grassfed, pasture based beef, pork and lamb) and discover potential to add poultry, heritage grains, vegetables or sheep.
Dedicated and passionate customer base already established with regular deliveries to Prince George, the Okanagan and Vancouver areas.
Available DL 4905 (360 acres) also/or
DL 5277 (435 acres, 206 pasture, 229 forest).
Land Details
Participant in BC Land Matching Program
Yes - Currently looking for lease to own agreements
Total land size in acres
1800 Acres
Wooded Area
Yes - 300 acres forest
Cultivable Area
60 acres+
Expansion potential (acres)
Yes - Land has been utilized for poultry in the past. Would be well suited for poultry again, great potential to establish a facility for on-farm slaughter (Class D license).
Zoning
ALR
Current use
Livestock - Galloway cattle, Tamworth/Large English Black pigs and sheep
Grain - Animal feed
Hay & Forage -
Current practices
Organic -
Other - Certified Grassfed, Animal Welfare Approved
State of the surface of the cultivable area
Description and historical use of land available for farming
Parts of the ranch have been in farming since the 1950s. In the 80s, some of the wooded areas were cleared, opening up strips of pasture which are used for rotational grazing of cattle.
Road Access
Yes - Well maintained gravel driveway.
Electricity
Yes
Cell Service
No
Long-term goal or vision for land
To continue the current food production practices (grassfed pasture based beef, pork and lamb) and sustainable selective harvesting of timber.
Potential to add poultry and egg layers, heritage grains and vegetables. Would love to see the farm engage in educational opportunities, including school class visits, food to table cooking, and/or cabin rentals for customers interested in regenerative agriculture and nutritious healthy food.
Known environmental hazards (wildfire area, flooding, etc.)
Yes - Wildfires in the region, fortunately the pastures do provide some protection.
Current residents living on property
Yes - Property owner in main house. Neighbouring property is son and his family.
Availability of farm buildings
Yes
Land is fenced
Yes - Well established permanent fencing and mobile fencing for rotational grazing. There are several fenced enclosures currently in use for pigs, as well as fenced pasture for cattle grazing in and around wooded areas.
Availability of farm machinery and tools
Yes - Haying equipment, dump truck for hauling gravel or timber, track loader with over 20 attachments (e.g. post pounder, buckets, tree shear, auger, grapples, pallet forks, forestry mulcher).
Water source
Well - 3 wells, potable water
Irrigation system -
Water rights to these sources
Yes
On-site housing
Yes - Currently there is the main house, occupied by landowner, and two basic cabins available (no utilities). Washroom facilities accessible at the house.
Restricted access of visitors
No
Types of production you are open to
Vegetable - Currently there is only a house garden, but there is fertile pasture land that could be worked into a vegetable garden
Livestock - The land is well suited to livestock
Grain -
Hay & Forage -
Practices preferred
Certified Organic -
Organic -
Other - Animal Welfare Approved
Agronomic potential
Excellent
Soil details
Texture - Sandy loam and loamy sand, with lots of gravelly areas
Rocky soil - Some of the pastures are low in organic matter
Thick topsoil -
General fertility (nutrients) - Good fertility in grazed areas and more establish
Good drainage - Excellent drainage
Preferred arrangement
Lease -
License -
Would you be willing to mentor or advise the entering farmer(s)?
