General degree - BSc. Environmental Science, MA Economics
General farming (3 years+) - I grew up helping on horse farms in my home town
Other experience/agricultural/business training - Homestead vegetable and perennial flower gardening through my childhood and early teenage years.
Do you have a business plan?
Yes - I have developed an initial iteration of the Business model canvas, I have mapped out the first 4 years of large capital and operating costs, and have started a marketing/channel strategy.
Do you have financial resources available to start your farm?
Yes - I'm going to start my farm while I continue to work fulltime for the next two years. My goal is to transition from my corporate job into fulltime farming in year 3. My current income can pay for leasing land, initial operating costs, and I have enough savings for startup capital costs. I can also leverage the equity in my condo if I need to take out a loan.
Do you have access to other financial resources (such as a financial partner, loan, etc.) to start your farm?'
Yes - I will apply for grants and take out a loan if needed.
Project
Farm Name
Herb's Organics
Farm Project Description
The long-term vision is that Herb’s Organics delivers nutrient-dense, flavorful, organic vegetables to the Sea to Sky Corridor, grown sustainably to nourish our community, enhance the local ecosystem, and support a thriving, self-sustaining farm in Squamish.
The farm will use biointensive planting, cover crops, and compost to build soil on permanent beds, using several high tunnels, and a greenhouse. My focus will be on building an ecosystem that fosters high-quality, nutrient-dense food that improves the soil from which it's grown.
The sooner I can lease land, the sooner I can start building soil and work toward my first season in production. I expect to work full time at my current job (Senior Program Manager, Supply Chain Strategy at lululemon) for the next two years and use my free time to build beds, improve the soil, and build other infrastructure needed to scale. My goal is to reduce hours at lululemon in the spring of 2027, and I aim to cover my fixed living costs 100% by 2028.
Preferred Arrangement
Registered Lease on Title -
Lease -
Transfer / Succession -
Sale of Land -
Duration of the desired agreement
5-7 years
Ideal date to obtain land by
Fall 2025
Land & Features Desired
Total Land Size (acres)
2.5 - 3 acres
Wooded Area (acres)
Yes - Only as boarder/wind break woodlot but not mandatory.
Cultivable Area (acres)
1.5-2.5
Possibility to expand area currently available (acres)
Yes - I'd like to retain the opportunity to expand after 5 years.
Zoning
Either
Preferred current state of the surface of the cultivable area
Cleared of trees, swamp, etc. Ok if all grass or the land was not cultivated for a period of time. I plan to spend the first two years building permanent beds, improving soil, and building out infrastructure.
Open to landowner residing on property
Yes - Ideally not, but I would evaluate opportunities as they come up.
Need farm buildings
Yes - I don't necessarily need them to exist but do require the ability to build sheds and a medium size greenhouse.
Need fenced land
Yes - Or permission to build a fence
Need farm machinery and tools
No
Need established water source and infrastructure
approximately 2570m3 of water according to the BC Agriculture water calculator. I can finance irrigation but existing infrastructure would be used.
Need on-site housing
No
Production type
Vegetable - mixed vegetables and herbs for CSAs, restaurants etc.
Greenhouse - I will build a medium sized greenhouse for tomato production in year 3
Flower - I will grow flowers for biodiversity and beneficial insect attraction
Type of agriculture
Certified Organic -
Organic -
Soil needs
Will acquire commercial insurance
Yes - I will focus on getting insurance for personal liability and property protection
