Apprenticeship - Spent a month working at a local organic farm learning about pest control, local weeds, etc.
General farming (3 years or less) - Looked after a food bank garden in exchange for land. Built up garden beds and built greenhouse. Winter garden. Grew for chefs.
Other experience/agricultural/business training - Grew up with family farms, tree nursery, greenhouses and market gardens. Always maintained extensive personal gardens. Took an on site Curtis Stone urban farming course in 2017. I was involved in an organic farming project in Belize and assisted with the creation of their first organic standards certification and association. I have been a business owner in the organic industry since 2005 and am a professional.
Do you have a business plan?
Yes - Mapped out quarter acre to begin my business with plans to expand to a half acre. In the process of interviewing local chefs and grocers as potential clients to begin.
Do you have financial resources available to start your farm?
Yes - Financially solid. Excellent credit score.
Do you have access to other financial resources (such as a financial partner, loan, etc.) to start your farm?'
No - I don't need a grant but that would be helpful of course.
Project
Farm Name
Not determined at this time.
Farm Project Description
Market garden. Beginning with culinary herbs and expanding from there according to local shortages and wish lists. Private garden will not be open to public, with no farm stand. Includes 2 greenhouses to begin, drip irrigation, enclosed wash station for processing and packaging harvest plus cooler; tool shed, compost bins, deer fencing and related infrastructure. Planning to certify as organic. Potentially poultry on site as well.
Preferred Arrangement
Registered Lease on Title -
Lease -
Sale of Land -
Other - Rent to own agreement.
Duration of the desired agreement
Min. 5-10 years
Ideal date to obtain land by
Immediately
Participant in BC Land Matching Program
Yes
Land & Features Desired
Total Land Size (acres)
½ acre
Wooded Area (acres)
No
Cultivable Area (acres)
½ acre
Possibility to expand area currently available (acres)
Yes - No plans to expand past ½ an acre, but flexibility is welcome.
Zoning
ALR
Preferred current state of the surface of the cultivable area
Cleared land is preferred but not required. Must have access to water for irrigation.
Open to landowner residing on property
Yes - Not within the leased land area.
Need farm buildings
Yes - I need sheltered areas for processing, for tool sheds and the like.
Need fenced land
Yes - Deer fencing.
Need farm machinery and tools
Yes - Small farm equipment suitable for a market garden.
Need established water source and infrastructure
I am able to provide infrastructure. Water volume sufficient to supply a ½ acre market garden.
Need on-site housing
Yes - Not necessary but would be happy if I could have an rv on site.
Production type
Vegetable - Various, focus on herbs initially.
Orchard/Fruit - Possibly some tree seedlings for shade, re-sell, etc. Perhaps berries, etc.
