Apprenticeship - I have had beekeeping mentors and I have done a lot of volunteering at different scale operations in Canada and New Zealand.
Other experience/agricultural/business training - 1 year Commercial Beekeeping program, 7 years experience as a beekeeper. I have taken my Bee Masters Course and disease Identification course in NZ. I have worked for the BC Provincial Government as a regional bee inspector for two years.
Do you have a business plan?
Yes - Breeding and selling queen bees and nuclei, teaching beginner beekeeping courses.
Do you have financial resources available to start your farm?
No - I will need to supplement what I have with a loan or grant.
Do you have access to other financial resources (such as a financial partner, loan, etc.) to start your farm?'
Yes - Loan or grant
Project
Farm Name
The Bees and the Birds
Farm Project Description
Queen bee breeding and nucleus colony sales. Beginner beekeeping classes and disease identification courses. I would like to utilize this space to host classes. I would also like to raise chickens or ducks for eggs. I will plant a large pollinator friendly garden with lots of forage for the bees. I will need to build a small indoor space to do my queen breeding inside of.
Preferred Arrangement
Registered Lease on Title -
Duration of the desired agreement
4 Years
Ideal date to obtain land by
Fall of 2024
Land & Features Desired
Total Land Size (acres)
3
Wooded Area (acres)
No
Cultivable Area (acres)
0.5
Possibility to expand area currently available (acres)
No
Zoning
ALR
Preferred current state of the surface of the cultivable area
Flat ground to build a chicken coop
Garden beds or room to build them
Flat ground in full sun to place beehives or space to clear to do so
Open to landowner residing on property
Yes
Need farm buildings
Yes - A shed or plenty of space inside of one to store beekeeping equipment
Need fenced land
No
Need farm machinery and tools
No
Need established water source and infrastructure
Need on-site housing
No
Production type
Poultry - Layers - Chickens or ducks for egg sales
Hay & Forage - I will plant bee friendly forage
Flower - Pollinator friendly plants with high pollen and nectar production
