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Farmers seeking 1 acre to market farm on.

Located in
  • Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands -
6a1cb531 7f83 4b89 a9e7 a7ea20d3a313

Land Seeker Details

Training
  • Apprenticeship - Nate has 5 years of experience as an apprentice on farms, plus two years as the lead in a market garden. Natalia has 3 years of experience working as an apprentice on permaculture farms
  • General farming (3 years or less) - We founded and operated in joint partnership our farm in PEI for 3 years. working on a 3/4 acre farm, producing mixed greens, vegetable and plenty of storage crop, the farm successfully provided the local community with vibrant produce.
Do you have a business plan?
Yes - We have an existing business plan but we are open to adapting a little if its required .
Do you have financial resources available to start your farm?
Yes
Do you have access to other financial resources (such as a financial partner, loan, etc.) to start your farm?'
No

Project

Farm Name
Nathaniel Braithwaite and Natalia Wozniak
Farm Project Description

We learned how to farm on SSI from experts in organic market farming who have inspired us to deepen our understanding and commitment to living soil, both as a sustainable business practice and a form of spiritual relationship to the earth. In the spirit of regenerative agriculture, we employ techniques to return more to the land than what has been taken, in the hopes of leaving the soil better than when we found it. We practice no till farming, preferring hand tools and light implements to tractors and heavy machinery. Composting, cover cropping, intercropping, mulching, using "no-till" where applicable" and promoting biodiverse ecosystems all play an important role in how we grow vegetables. In time we hope to become more self-sufficient in how we feed the soil, looking to rely less on off farm inputs and fossil fuels while building soil health on site. The primary strategy of the farm will be to focus on the shoulder seasons and winter sales. SSI, while abundant, sorely lacks local produce during the darker months and many farmers take vacation. Such a strategy will see us focus on growing storage crops that will be put away in the fall and sold over the course of the winter. Overwintering certain cold hardy crops such as lettuce, spinach and kale will occupy all greenhouse and covered space. These crops survive very well on SSI, due to its mild winters, and become abundantly popular late in the season when the supply is slim to nonexistent. Other strategies include growing specific niche crops (such as medicinal herbs) for transformation into value added products (salves, tinctures, tea blends all sell at a premium compared to produce) as well as targeting other businesses specific crop needs (ex, growing cabbage for saurkraut/kimchi producers). We would also like to offer a small winter CSA. Such an offering stands out and meets the needs of clients who may struggle to find consistent supply of local produce in the winter. Another strategy will be to incorporate Natalia's existing herbal medicine business (Panatea Apothecary) and produce crops for her products. This decreases her production cost, enhances their quality and traceability and also provides a year round revenue stream to rely on and help with cashflow. There are many local craft fairs during the winter months for her to attend when field work is less busy. Lastly, a small production of indoor crops such as mixed microgreens and Oyster mushrooms can be grown very predictably all year round using minimal infrastructure. These crops need not even be grown in a field and can fetch a high price. They also add diversity and will make our offering stand out. Nate brings with him all of the supplies and tools for growing these (trays, grow lights, racks, pressure cooker, grow tent) as it's been a hobby/side hustle for him for a few years. Diversity of crops and production methods creates resiliency and with climate uncertainty in the future, indoor farming will likely have a role in our food production.

Preferred Arrangement
  • Registered Lease on Title -
  • Lease -
  • MOU -
Duration of the desired agreement
2 years to start with option to extend another 5 years
Ideal date to obtain land by
winter/ spring 2024

Land & Features Desired

Total Land Size (acres)
1 acre
Wooded Area (acres)
No
Cultivable Area (acres)
1 acre
Possibility to expand area currently available (acres)
Yes - 1 acre to expand production of oil seed crop and grains
Zoning
Either
Preferred current state of the surface of the cultivable area

pasture or previously cultivated . shouldn't have any big rocks or tree stumps

Open to landowner residing on property
Yes - provided there is some privacy or seperation
Need farm buildings
Yes - requiring a space to park several movable structures , such as a workspace trailer and cooler, Existing greenhouses a plus but we also come with skills and tools to build new ones.
Need fenced land
Yes - 1 acre deer fencing that we can build ourselves
Need farm machinery and tools
No
Need established water source and infrastructure
reliable water source to supply the 1 acre , we would be using t-tape and sprinklers.
Need on-site housing
Yes - we have our own tiny home/bus and would be very interested in parking it on site
Production type
  • Vegetable - Primary Crops : Winter Squash, Potatoes, Carrots, Beets, Cabbages, Onions, Leeks, Shallots, overwintered greens (lettuce, spinach, kale) Secondary Crops : Bush Beans, Snap Peas, Melons, Bush Tomatoes, Pickling Cukes, Sweet Peppers, Eggplant. Tertiary Crops (personal use with some sales): Sunflowers, corn/maize, wheat, oats, chickpeas, soy and dry beans. Medicinal Herb Crops : Calendula, Tulsi, Chamomile, Milky Oats, Mint, Lemon Balm, Alfalfa, Skullcap, Mugwort and many more.
  • Grain -
  • Greenhouse -
  • Mushroom -
Type of agriculture
  • Organic -
Soil needs
Will acquire commercial insurance
Yes

Learn More

Inquire about this listing

Email: natalia.wozniak@protonmail.com

Address

Salt Spring Island, BC
CA

Last modifed 12 months ago; never expires.