Other experience/agricultural/business training - Beginner grower transitioning from home-scale gardening to small-scale production. Several seasons of home gardening experience (vegetables and herbs). Self-directed learning in market gardening, crop planning, soil health, and low-till/no-till methods. Strong organization and project management skills.
Do you have a business plan?
No - In progress. I am currently developing a basic business plan and business model canvas (budget, crop plan, and weekly harvest targets). Open to business planning support through the program.
Do you have financial resources available to start your farm?
No - Personal savings available for start-up costs and operating expenses (approx. CAD $30,000 budget)
Do you have access to other financial resources (such as a financial partner, loan, etc.) to start your farm?'
No - Not at this time.
Project
Farm Name
Mai Market Garden
Farm Project Description
Hi, I’m Melody, based in Metro Vancouver. I’m a beginner grower transitioning from home-scale gardening to a small, well-managed market garden. While my farming experience is early-stage, I’m committed to building skills quickly through structured learning, careful planning, and strong farm systems. I can dedicate at least 12 hours per week on-site consistently, plus additional time for planning and admin.
My goal is to start small and build a sustainable, low-labour workflow that produces reliable weekly harvests during the growing season. In year one, my priorities are efficient infrastructure (especially drip irrigation), simple bed layout, weed suppression, succession planting, and record-keeping, then scaling gradually once systems and yields are stable.
I plan to grow mixed vegetables and greens (no livestock), focusing on quick-turn crops such as salad greens, Asian greens, scallions/green onions, and herbs, with a limited amount of warm-season crops depending on site conditions. A basic business plan is in progress (business model canvas, simple budget, and weekly harvest targets).
Preferred Arrangement
Lease -
Duration of the desired agreement
1–3 years (renewable / option to renew)
Ideal date to obtain land by
April–May 2026 (flexible)
Land & Features Desired
Total Land Size (acres)
0.25–0.5 acre preferred (up to 1 acre if well set up)
Wooded Area (acres)
No
Cultivable Area (acres)
0.25–0.5 acre (up to 1 acre if available)
Possibility to expand area currently available (acres)
Yes - Yes, gradual expansion after year 1 if production is stable.
Zoning
Either
Preferred current state of the surface of the cultivable area
Ideally already in cultivation or ready-to-plant (beds prepared preferred). Open to doing initial bed prep if tractor/operator access is available.
Open to landowner residing on property
Yes - This is fine.
Need farm buildings
Yes - Yes—basic storage/workspace preferred (e.g., small barn/shed space for tools and supplies).
Need fenced land
Yes - Preferred but not mandatory.
Need farm machinery and tools
Yes - Access to tractor/operator for initial bed preparation is preferred (hourly contract is fine). Basic shared tools are a plus.
Need established water source and infrastructure
Reliable irrigation water suitable for approximately 0.25–0.5 acre of vegetable production. Prefer existing water infrastructure (well/municipal/irrigation hookup) and permission to install drip irrigation with timer.
Need on-site housing
No
Production type
Vegetable - Mixed vegetables and greens (salad greens, Asian greens, herbs, scallions/green onions; limited warm-season crops depending on site).
Type of agriculture
Organic -
Other - Low-input, low-till/no-till practices; organic but not certified organic at this stage.
Soil needs
Prefer loose, fertile, and well-drained soil.
Will acquire commercial insurance
Yes - I am willing to acquire commercial insurance and name the property owner as “additionally insured” on the insurance policy.
