Yes - Potential to expand into the wooded area if cultivating mushrooms or pasturing livestock
Zoning
Non-ALR
Current use
Mushroom - The landholder has being experimenting with growing mushrooms in the wooded portion of this property for a few years
Current practices
Other - n/a
State of the surface of the cultivable area
The western side of the land is included in the ALR. While much of the property is forested, there are 5 acres of cleared pasture with good sun exposure, a gentle southwest slope, and clay-loam soils.
Description and historical use of land available for farming
This land, predominately forested with second growth Douglas Firs, was logged in the 1930's. The logging techniques of that time were significantly less disruptive than those employed by modern logging companies, leaving the soil on this site mostly undisturbed. Since its initial logging, the current landholder- who has owned the property for 40 years- has been mostly focused on careful management of the forest to reduce fire risk.
Road Access
Yes
Electricity
No - This site is off grid
Cell Service
Yes - Limited but available
Long-term goal or vision for land
The current landholder cares deeply about the land and has stewarded it with care for the past 4 decades. As they age, they are looking to support the next generation of land stewards while ensuring that the land remains taken care of with the same level of care. They recognize the need for greater food security on Texada Island and are excited about the prospect of creating a space where young farmers can contribute to that goal. In the future, the landholder would be open to a lease-to-own arrangement, with the goal of remaining a tenant on the land in the future. This landholder is especially keen to connect with farmers who are familiar with agroforestry and silviculture, familiarity with off-grid living is a must!
Known environmental hazards (wildfire area, flooding, etc.)
No
Current residents living on property
Yes - The landholder lives on the property
Availability of farm buildings
Yes - Limited existing storage on site, but plenty of access to timber and the landholder is open to farmers constructing farm buildings to support their operations
Land is fenced
No
Availability of farm machinery and tools
No
Water source
Well -
Water rights to these sources
No
On-site housing
No - The landholder is open to farmers bringing their own accommodation on site
Restricted access of visitors
No
Types of production you are open to
Vegetable - Market garden
Poultry - Layers -
Seed -
Bees -
Mushroom - In the wooded area on the property
Practices preferred
Other - Ecological stewardship with awareness of brush management for fire prevention
Agronomic potential
I don't know
Soil details
Texture - Clay loam in some spots, more silty in others
Sloping - Gentle southwest slope
Good drainage -
Preferred arrangement
Lease -
License -
MOU -
Transfer / Succession -
Would you be willing to mentor or advise the entering farmer(s)?
Yes - The landholder is happy to share their knowledge of forest management
