Other experience/agricultural/business training - urban veggie garden, ducks + quail, goat herding
Do you have a business plan?
Yes - VI Goatscaping: invasive species management and brush control using goats; targeted grazing
Do you have financial resources available to start your farm?
Yes - some savings, looking for investors and grants
Do you have access to other financial resources (such as a financial partner, loan, etc.) to start your farm?'
Yes - seeking grants and investors
Project
Farm Name
Vancouver Island Goatscaping
Farm Project Description
We will be using, and working with, goats as a tool for invasive species management. Goats are browsers meaning they prefer to eat shrubby and woody plants. This makes them ideal for eating many different types of problem plant species. Some examples of invasive plant species that goats will eat include; Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, sulphur cinquefoil, spotted knapweed, and Japanese knotweed.
Our company, VI Goatscaping, plans to work with land owners across the Island to help control the spread of invasive plant species, as well as reduce fuel load for forest fires. Goats can reach places where people and machines cannot access (they love to climb across slopes), and can clear areas close to water bodies where chemical methods are not safe.
We hope to build a relationship with the landowner, and work together.
Preferred Arrangement
Registered Lease on Title -
Lease -
License -
MOU -
Transfer / Succession -
Business Partnership -
Sale of Land -
Duration of the desired agreement
short to long term, depending on fit
Ideal date to obtain land by
Summer / Fall 2020
Participant in BC Land Matching Program
Yes - This farmer is participating in the BC Land Matching Program. For more information, contact azja@youngagrarians.org
Land & Features Desired
Total Land Size (acres)
1-5
Wooded Area (acres)
Yes - some trees for shade, and unwanted vegetation is ideal
Cultivable Area (acres)
some space for extra forage species and vegetables
Possibility to expand area currently available (acres)
Yes
Zoning
Either
Preferred current state of the surface of the cultivable area
We - and our goats - would prefer unwanted plant species like Himalayan blackberry or Scotch broom so the goats have something to munch on at their home-base, as well as helping the landowner.
Open to landowner residing on property
Yes - of course, nice to have eyes on the property as well as the animals
Need farm buildings
Yes - some sort of shelter is needed for goat roof and some feed storage (we can build)
Need fenced land
Yes - goats need to be safely fenced, we are willing to build
Need farm machinery and tools
No
Need established water source and infrastructure
shed, feeders, and water trough ~ 10 L per goat per day
Need on-site housing
Yes - not necessary, but a small space / Tiny Home would be amazing
Production type
Vegetable - some veggies if landowner would like to share benefits
Livestock - goats for browsing, milk / cheese, and meat
Hay & Forage - supplemental for goats
Type of agriculture
Conventional -
Soil needs
Will acquire commercial insurance
Yes - we will discuss this further with land owner
