Agriculture-related degree - Restoration of Natural Systems Diploma Program (UVic)
Apprenticeship - I worked at Alderlea farm for a season
General farming (3 years or less) - I have helped build and maintain many food gardens as well as worked as a landscaper.
Do you have a business plan?
Yes - I would like a piece of land that is mixed permaculture and natural environment so to grow native food plants. I would like to use this land to help educate school aged children of the ways of building a sustainable farming practice and help them to form attachments to land in their community.
Do you have financial resources available to start your farm?
Yes - I have my savings to invest.
Do you have access to other financial resources (such as a financial partner, loan, etc.) to start your farm?'
Yes - Depending on the needs of the land, I may be interested in a small startup loan/grant.
Project
Farm Name
Bridging Communities
Farm Project Description
We are looking for a mixed piece of land with forest, natural stream/pond/river, meadow, and a space for food agriculture that I will turn into a permaculture model food garden.
The natural ecosystems will be restored as needed. I have included examples for each:
The forest will be restored in whatever way that is needed to allow its natural systems to function ideally. For example, native plants will be brought in according to the biogeoclimatic zone’s requirements. Non-timbre forest products would be harvested and sold from the forest’s resources without doing damage to the integrity and balance of the needs of the forest.
The meadow will be restored as needed. For example, if the meadow borders forest, native plants will be brought in to allow for the natural transition of meadow to forest. Native flowering plants will be brought in to provide pollinator species with an abundance of nectar and promote more pollinators in the area for agricultural food growing.
The water source (pond/stream/river) will be restored as needed. For example, if there is an erosion problem, waddling with native species of willow/red osier dogwood/other shore plants would be introduced to help stabilize the banks. Water sources will be respected and all land uses will be created in a way to increase/allow for the local aquifer to remain stable.
This land is a space for a small group of mixed families to live and help restore the land and grow food. The land’s restoration would be used as an educational resource for schools in the area. The project will provide school aged children with hands on experience in restoration and sustainable farming practices and an ability to connect more deeply with the land they live on and their communities.
Preferred Arrangement
Registered Lease on Title -
Lease -
Duration of the desired agreement
5-10 years
Ideal date to obtain land by
June 2021- September 2021
Participant in BC Land Matching Program
Yes
Land & Features Desired
Total Land Size (acres)
5-30 acres
Wooded Area (acres)
Yes - Ideally a large unmanaged forest borders the property
Cultivable Area (acres)
2-10 acres (I am including the meadow in this)
Possibility to expand area currently available (acres)
Yes - Depending on the needs of the land
Zoning
Either
Preferred current state of the surface of the cultivable area
Any state.
Open to landowner residing on property
Yes
Need farm buildings
Yes - Sheds and greenhouses, but not required
Need fenced land
No
Need farm machinery and tools
No
Need established water source and infrastructure
would like to build as self sustaining system as possible with little watering/irrigation of the permaculture food forest.
Need on-site housing
Yes - Can bring our own accommodation, but a farmhouse would be ideal.
