Hello my name is Gary I am 29 years old, married and have an 8 month old son. I was born and raised on acreage here in Abbotsford. As a young kid who was born and raised on a farm and spent his life harvesting berries and digging cedar trees, the passion for farming runs deep and is rooted within a strong connection of being a lifelong farmer. The dream has always been to turn this passion into a full time career, but the high cost of land in British Columbia has presented a significant obstacle to purchasing / farming my own land. Especially when saving up for a down payment for an acreage would take many years. In my search for alternatives I am happy I discovered Young Agrarians & the BC Land Matching Program. Through Young Agrarians, hopefully I have found a way to access land and resources that can help my fellow landowners see my vision and dreams of starting my farming project focused on harvesting berries and growing cedar trees. Starting my own operation would be a rewarding and fulfilling endeavor with various goals and objectives. Here are some of the goals for which I have wanted to start my own farming operation. 1. **Self-sufficiency** - I would like to start a farm operation to grow for myself and the community I live in to have it become more self-sufficient. This would involve growing fruits, vegetables, cedar trees , and possible raising live stock in the future. 2. **Sustainability** - The goal of promoting sustainable agriculture practices can include using precise farming methods, conserving water and energy, and reducing waste, and helping give back to the community we live in whether that be a product or knowledge. 3. **Profitability** - Starting a farm is also a business venture aimed at generating income. Along with this long time passion I would love to turn this into a full time career. Profitability can involve selling the produce, cedar trees, my farming services or any other value-added products to make a profit. 4. **Community engagement** - The aim is not only profitability but to also connect with my local communities by providing fresh locally grown food, producing lush and healthy cedar trees, hosting events, charitable organizations, or offering educational programs to help fellow young farmers like myself. 5. **Environmental stewardship** - My contribution to environmental conservation efforts would be preserving biodiversity, restoring soil health, and reducing carbon emissions by planting these cedar trees and seeing more of them within the cities and homes. As some may or may not know, through a process called photosynthesis oxygen is produced and released by the trees and also creates a landscape esthetics for our neighborhoods. 6. **Personal fulfillment** - Finally, this is a way to pursue my passion for agriculture, connect with nature, and pass forward the same morals and values to my son I was once taught growing up. The simple but crucial skills of hard work, dedication, and leadership skills. Last but not least, enjoy a more peaceful and fulfilling lifestyle. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO PRODUCE / SELL : Farming berries and cedar trees with the help of a fellow landowner will be a rewarding and collaborative endeavor. Here's a detailed plan on how I can approach this project: 1. **Site Selection and Planning**: - Work with the fellow landowner to identify a suitable location for growing berries OR cedar trees. Consider factors such as soil quality, sunlight exposure, water availability, and proximity to markets. - Develop a detailed farm plan outlining the layout of berry patches and cedar tree plantations, irrigation systems, and any infrastructure needed for storage and processing. 2. **Crop Selection and Cultivation**: - Utilize my long length of experience in farming to select the best varieties of berries and cedar trees that are well-suited to the climate and soil conditions. - Implement sustainable farming practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and integrated pest management to ensure the health and productivity of the crops. - Seek advice and support from other farmers I have met in my lifetime who are experienced in growing berries and cedar trees. They can help provide valuable insights and guidance to help me succeed at times I face any hurdles. 3. **Resource Management**: - Work with my fellow landowner to manage resources efficiently, including water, fertilizers, and equipment. Consider implementing well water harvesting systems and organic fertilization methods to minimize environmental impact. - Collaborate with other farmers and family members who are willing to lend a hand by sharing equipment, labor, or expertise. Building a network of support within the farming community can help me overcome any challenges and achieve success. 4. **Harvesting and Marketing**: - Develop a harvesting schedule for my berries and cedar trees to ensure optimal quality and yield. Consider investing in proper harvesting equipment and storage facilities to maintain freshness and extend shelf life. - Explore marketing opportunities such as selling directly to consumers through farmers' markets, CSA programs, national vendors or online platforms. Collaborate with other farmers to reach a wider customer base and increase sales. 5. **Continuous Learning and Improvement**: - Stay connected with my network of experienced farmers to exchange knowledge, troubleshoot problems, and stay informed about the latest farming practices and technologies. - Attend workshops, conferences, and training sessions to expand your skills and stay up-to-date with industry trends. Embrace innovation and experimentation to continuously improve the farming operations. 5. **Cost Structures**: - Start up cost would be at least $150,000 - $200,000 depending on land and acreage size. This would include buying the cedar trees or blueberry plants and planting cost. Along with irrigation setup. I would not have any source of income for the first 4-5 years of the crops being planted so it is very important to have at least 5-10 years in lease terms. Depending on the lease terms with the land owner it would dictate whether I would plant cedar trees or blueberries. I have drawn up a business plan in more depth and would be willing to share that once I know I have lined up a nice fertile piece of land. I am very excited to hear back and hopefully move forward with my farming project. I can ensure leveraging my life long experience, hard work, dedication, collaboration with other farmers, and working closely with my fellow landowners, I can create a successful and sustainable farm that produces high-quality crops OR cedar trees
Can be discussed depending on land & lease terms