farmers looking for land
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Live-in permaculture/restoration/education opportunity

Located in
  • Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands -

Land Seeker Details

Training
  • 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?
No - We would like a piece of land that is mixed permaculture and natural environment so to grow native food plants in combination with restorative food production. 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 - We have our savings to invest if needed.
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, we 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 would 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 would be restored as needed. For example, if the meadow borders forest, native plants would be brought in to allow for the natural transition of meadow to forest. Native flowering plants would 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) would 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 would be respected and all land uses would be created in a way to increase/allow for the local aquifer to remain stable. This land would be 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 would 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. The agriculture model that we would follow would be a permaculture/food forest that focuses on regenerative practices to feed the land and people. We would love to have layer hens, bees, and sheep if the land allows for that. The sheep would be useful for crop rotation, as well as, their wool, skins, and meat would be used when the time is right. We have experience with hugelkulture as well, an ideal model for longer term permaculture practices where water retention is an issue.

Preferred Arrangement
  • Registered Lease on Title -
  • Lease -
  • Business Partnership -
Duration of the desired agreement
5-10 years
Ideal date to obtain land by
October 2024
Participant in BC Land Matching Program
Yes

Land & Features Desired

Total Land Size (acres)
3-30 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.
Production type
  • Vegetable -
  • Livestock - Sheep -
  • Poultry - Layers -
  • Seed -
  • Orchard/Fruit -
  • Flower -
  • Bees -
Type of agriculture
  • Certified Organic -
  • Organic -
Soil needs
Will acquire commercial insurance
Yes - If that is required by the owner.
Last modifed about 2 months ago; never expires.