Small market garden focusing on herbs, honey and alliums, in it;s early days, but looking for expansion opportunities.
Land Seeker Details
Training
General farming (3 years or less) - Currently in year 2 (and a bit) of this operation, and year 4 of beekeeping.
Other experience/agricultural/business training - I grew up with dairy goats and other livetock as well as a large vetable garden. I'm now doing odd jobs on a local farm.
Do you have a business plan?
Yes - Currently beeing updated, but focussed on herbs, alliums and honey, with some teas, flowers and veggies. We are starting slow, but hoping to be profitable in the 2025 season. We will be looking to expand if things go well this season.
Do you have financial resources available to start your farm?
No - I am currently applying for a small FCC loan and exploring other funding options. Off farm income is also being used.
Do you have access to other financial resources (such as a financial partner, loan, etc.) to start your farm?'
Yes - Any small to medium sized funding sources would be considered, with a preference for local sources.
Project
Farm Name
Bumbling Bee Farms
Farm Project Description
We are currently leasing about half an acre, organized through YA, and entering year two of our operation. Our focus is on making local food more delicious by providing a variety of locally, ecologically grown herbs, spices, alliums and honey, including herbal teas, spice blends, and (edible and non-edible) flowers.
The core idea is that, while local meats and veggies are pretty easily available in the Alberni Valley and surrounding areas, the additional ingredients we need to turn that delicious local food into delicious meals is harder to source locally. Local food can be about more than treats, basics or food security, it can be about adding flavour to all of our meals.
We started selling at Spirit Square Farmer's Market in 2023, and will be starting earlier and selling well into Winter in 2024. Our first season was not wildly successful, but we started building a name for ourselves and making connections. We expect that, depending on funding for start up and early season input costs, 2024 will be much more successful.
If we are right about that, then we will be exploring option for expansion for the 2025 season, with a goal of reducing or eliminating the need for at least one of our day jobs in the next several years.
Preferred Arrangement
Registered Lease on Title -
Lease -
MOU -
Transfer / Succession -
Other - We would be very interested in joining or being involved in starting a co-op.
Duration of the desired agreement
3+ years
Ideal date to obtain land by
March 2025
Participant in BC Land Matching Program
Yes
Land & Features Desired
Total Land Size (acres)
1-3 (2+ would make acheiving farm status easier)
Wooded Area (acres)
Yes - If wooded area is avaiable, I would consider growing mushrooms outdoors, and being near forests is good for the honey bees.
Cultivable Area (acres)
.5+
Possibility to expand area currently available (acres)
Yes - The option would be preferable, but not necessary.
Zoning
Either
Preferred current state of the surface of the cultivable area
Ideally deer-fenced with water available for irrigation, but we're willing to consider a wide range of land-types depending on the situation.
Open to landowner residing on property
Yes - Depending on the arrangement
Need farm buildings
Yes - May need a place to dry herbs; will need a greenhouse to start vegatable, and eventually a greenhouse for production of certain plants; ideally also a bee-house for storage, bottling and extraction
Need fenced land
Yes - Deer fences will lilkely be needed for gardens and electric or other bear-resistant fences may be needed for the apiary
Need farm machinery and tools
No
Need established water source and infrastructure
Water usuage is expected to be on the lower end of a typical market garden.
Need on-site housing
No
Production type
Vegetable - Herbs, Alliums, greens, spices, some other veggies
Bees -
Type of agriculture
Organic -
Soil needs
Will acquire commercial insurance
Yes - I am willing to discuss this with the owner.
