Farm management (3 years+) - Owner/Operator at Highland Gem Farm in Lanark ON
Do you have a business plan?
No
Do you have financial resources available to start your farm?
Yes - I have tools and finances to start a small market garden business
Do you have access to other financial resources (such as a financial partner, loan, etc.) to start your farm?'
No
Project
Farm Name
Highland Gem Farm
Farm Project Description
I'm looking to relocate to the Kootenays (Fernie-Golden-Salmo-Slocan Valley) and run a seasonal (spring through to fall) market-garden business including cut flowers and herbs. My ideal match would be working with another business that compliments a market garden, i.e. livestock operation, cooking school, restaurant/catering, or retail shop, etc. I've run a small 1 ac market garden including farmers market, CSA, and restaurant/retail clients over the past 4 years in Ontario. I have experience in raising with some livestock (pigs, laying hens, meat birds) as well. I desire to continue growing food for a small community here in BC. Looking for an opportunity where marketing is relatively accessible and an experienced farmer is desired. Need accommodations, access to water, and storage for tools and produce.
Preferred Arrangement
Lease -
Transfer / Succession -
Business Partnership -
Sale of Land -
Duration of the desired agreement
5 years
Ideal date to obtain land by
Dec 2021
Participant in BC Land Matching Program
Yes
Land & Features Desired
Total Land Size (acres)
.5 -3 ac
Wooded Area (acres)
No
Cultivable Area (acres)
Best to start small and learn the land while setting up systems
Possibility to expand area currently available (acres)
Yes - If there is only small garden space available, if there is potential to expand to larger gardens, that could be beneficials
Zoning
ALR
Preferred current state of the surface of the cultivable area
Flat, tilled, grassland
Open to landowner residing on property
Yes - Most likely scenario
Need farm buildings
Yes - storage for tools and private residence
Need fenced land
No
Need farm machinery and tools
Yes - if there is a tractor available for garden use, that would be ideal
Need established water source and infrastructure
Access to water through a well, creek or gravity water system would be ideal. If there is a pump, then pressure of a minimum of 8 GPM would be ideal
Need on-site housing
Yes - I have a well-trained dog and myself to house
Production type
Vegetable - Mixed vegetable, herbs and cut flowers
