The 1/2 acre vegetable garden at Innisfree Farm, an internationally registered Botanical Garden and herbal farm near Courtenay on Vancouver Island, is available for lease to a mature and experienced grower.
Innisfree is a nature oasis with a mission, and has been helping people seek Wellness in Nature for over 10 years. The farm showcases medicinal and food plants and educates about native plants and conservation with an array of classes, workshops and programs.
They hope to find a community minded grower with strong vegetable production experience to take on the vegetable garden, ideally running a CSA or similar program that can sell produce to the farm's onsite cafe as well as the farm's many regular visitors for events, workshops etc.
Land Details
Participant in BC Land Matching Program
Yes - This opportunity is participating in the BC Land Matching Program. Contact kiyomi@youngagrarians.org to start a conversation.
Total land size in acres
7 acre
Wooded Area
No
Cultivable Area
1 acre
Expansion potential (acres)
Yes - There is potential to expand the growing space if desired, especially to the adjacent 1/2 acre which has been left fallow in recent years. If more land is needed, neighbours have land available, too!
Zoning
ALR
Current use
Vegetable - vegetables for market garden
Orchard/Fruit - apples, nuts, small fruit (raspberries and blueberries)
Current practices
Organic -
State of the surface of the cultivable area
1/2 acre cultivated and 1/2 in grass
Description and historical use of land available for farming
flat land, fairly wet in winter, was a horse ranch until 15 years ago when I installed the veggie garden
Road Access
Yes - road and driveway access directly to the site
Electricity
Yes - power is available at out buildings
Cell Service
Yes
Long-term goal or vision for land
we prefer to keep the garden in vegetable production
Known environmental hazards (wildfire area, flooding, etc.)
No
Current residents living on property
Yes - owners Thierry and Chanchal live in the main house
Availability of farm buildings
Yes - market stand with coolers, limited space in the barn
Land is fenced
Yes - 6.5 ft metallic deer fence all around the property
Availability of farm machinery and tools
Yes - some tools are available for sharing
Water source
Well -
Irrigation system -
Other - municipal water at 5 outlets on the property
Water rights to these sources
Yes - small well dug next to the greenhouse
On-site housing
No
Restricted access of visitors
No
Types of production you are open to
Vegetable - all vegetables
Orchard/Fruit - maintain existing berries
Practices preferred
Organic -
Agronomic potential
Good
Soil details
Texture - sandy loam
General fertility (nutrients) - garden beds have been heavily amended with seaweed, wood chips, grass clippings
Good drainage - sandy loam drains well
Preferred arrangement
Lease -
License -
Would you be willing to mentor or advise the entering farmer(s)?
