Diverse farming opportunities in the Comox Valley! The landholders who are expert growers, technicians and researchers, have been operating a micro-propagation lab for food-producing perennials, greenhouse and nursery on this land since 2018, and on another property since 2010. They are currently seeking an opportunity to share the land with other farmers, and pass on their knowledge and experience if useful. Candidates will need previous experience in farm work (knowing what they're getting into is a must!), and business savvy. Candidates interested in innovative and diverse operations within a small footprint are most likely to find a good fit here. This may be a particularly exciting opportunity for someone with a science / technical background, who wants to explore lab work and/or trialing and research. If that is not your thing, there is additional space available for other projects like market gardening and dry farming!
Land Details
Participant in BC Land Matching Program
Yes - This opportunity is participating in the BC Land Matching Program. Reach out to kiyomi@youngagrarians.org to start a conversation.
Total land size in acres
7 acres
Wooded Area
Yes - Approximately 1 acre
Cultivable Area
Deer-fenced and irrigated: 2,200-sqft climate controlled greenhouse + 2,600 sqft (3 beds of 7' x 125') within the hazelnut orchard for alley cropping + up to 3,600 sqft with irrigation (currently used for above ground in-pot production, with small portion in grass); With no fence or irrigation: 1 acre field for dry farming, currently in grass.
Expansion potential (acres)
Yes - 1/4 acre of fenced enclosure (not currently available) + 1 acre of grassland above.
Zoning
ALR
Current use
Orchard/Fruit - hazelnut demonstration orchard
Nursery - propagation lab, greenhouse and nursery, growing hazelnuts and a few other perennial food producing plants
Current practices
Organic - open to certification in part
Conventional - the landholders practice IPM, and don’t use highly toxic synthetic pesticides and herbicides on this property, and would require this as a minimum standard for any tenants farming here.
State of the surface of the cultivable area
Greenhouse is climate-controlled, and has heated propagation beds and nursery benches with plants grown in containers. Current growing areas are covered in landscape fabric, which can be removed for cultivation. Field is fallow in grass, which stays moist and green all summer without irrigation!
Description and historical use of land available for farming
The landholders have been operating a micro-propagation lab for food-producing perennials and nursery on this land since 2018. Before that, the property was farmed for hay and livestock. Currently available lands include: a shared use of a climate controlled greenhouse, 2,600-sqft within the orchard for alley cropping (hazelnut harvest can also be discussed), additional 3,600 sqft for gardening, and 1-acre field for dry farming (no irrigation there).
Road Access
Yes
Electricity
Yes
Cell Service
Yes
Long-term goal or vision for land
The landholders are seeking opportunities to pass on their knowledge and experience, and/or share the land with other farmers, with open minds. Farming opportunities here are diverse - from collaborating on greenhouse and nursery operations and hazelnut harvest, making use of climate-controlled lab and trailer for technical projects (micro-propagation, mushrooms, etc.), using it as a satellite growing area for an established producer, to exploring dry farming potential on the back field.
Known environmental hazards (wildfire area, flooding, etc.)
No
Current residents living on property
Yes - 2 households
Availability of farm buildings
Yes - Climate-controlled greenhouse and trailer (could be used as cool storage or micro-propagation / acclimation space for baby plants)
Land is fenced
Yes - Perimeter deer-fencing enclosing the nursery area, but not the back field
Availability of farm machinery and tools
Yes - Potentially, tractor and equipment needed for current operations
Water source
Well -
Irrigation system -
Other - rainwater collection and 25,800 gals of storage cisterns for summer irrigation
Water rights to these sources
Yes - Irrigation licence (spring-July) + storage licence (to fill the cisterns for late-summer use)
On-site housing
No
Restricted access of visitors
No - May require additional insurance
Types of production you are open to
Vegetable - vegetables, herbs (no invasive species!)
Orchard/Fruit - hazelnut harvest can be discussed
Greenhouse - shared use
Flower -
Mushroom -
Nursery -
Practices preferred
Organic -
Conventional - using IPM practices and excluding highly toxic, synthetic herbicides and pesticides
Agronomic potential
Good
Soil details
Texture - sandy loam to silt loam
Thick topsoil - Chemainus soil with high moisture and nutrient holding capacity
Good drainage - moderately well-drained
Preferred arrangement
Lease -
License -
Would you be willing to mentor or advise the entering farmer(s)?
