General farming (3 years or less) - Extensive hands-on experience in livestock care, including cattle, pigs, and poultry
Other experience/agricultural/business training - Husband is a trained professional builder and an exceptional handyman.
Do you have a business plan?
Yes - Yes, focused on poultry, seasonal greenhouses, and future rural eco-tourism.
Do you have financial resources available to start your farm?
No - We are planning to fund the initial steps through personal employment income and are open to looking for grants.
Do you have access to other financial resources (such as a financial partner, loan, etc.) to start your farm?'
Yes - Yes, we will need to look for agricultural grants for new farmers, start-up micro-loans, or matching programs available in Alberta to help fund the initial equipment and setup.
Project
Farm Name
Cozy Family Farm
Farm Project Description
Hello! We are Oksana and Irakli, a reliable, energetic, and dedicated family looking for a long-term land lease (ideally 3-15 acres) within a 30-40 minute drive of the Greater Edmonton area.
Our Skills and Experience:
- Livestock Expertise: Oksana has extensive, long-term experience in managing cattle (cows) and pigs, possessing thorough knowledge of daily care and health management. She has also successfully raised chickens.
- Construction & Handyman Skills: Irakli is a trained professional builder by education and a true handyman. He can completely handle building fences, coops, animal shelters, and maintaining farm infrastructure.
Our Farm Start-up Plan:
1. Phase 1: Establishing 100 pasture-raised egg-laying hens and seasonal greenhouses dedicated to high-quality cucumbers, tomatoes, fresh greens, and green onions for local sales.
2. Phase 2: Developing a small, well-managed goat farm.
3. Phase 3: Bringing Scottish Highland calves to create family-friendly photo zones and expanding into rural eco-tourism and family photography.
...What We Are Looking For:
Because we have a large family, we are specifically looking for an opportunity that includes an on-site house (ideally 3-4 bedrooms) so we can live on the property and care for the animals 24/7.
Preferred Arrangement
Lease -
Duration of the desired agreement
Long-term preferred (3-5 years or more)
Ideal date to obtain land by
Fall 2026 or Spring 2027
Land & Features Desired
Total Land Size (acres)
3-15 acres
Wooded Area (acres)
No
Cultivable Area (acres)
1-3 acres for greenhouses and poultry pasture
Possibility to expand area currently available (acres)
No
Zoning
Preferred current state of the surface of the cultivable area
Cleared land, ready for greenhouses and poultry workspace
Open to landowner residing on property
Yes - Yes, we completely respect privacy and welcome good neighborly relations.
Need farm buildings
Yes - Helpful if available, but husband is a professional builder and can build or adapt coops and shelters.
Need fenced land
Yes - Preferred, but husband can repair or build fences if needed.
Need farm machinery and tools
No
Need established water source and infrastructure
Reliable water source for livestock and seasonal greenhouse irrigation.
Need on-site housing
Yes - Yes, we have a large family and strictly require an on-site house (ideally 3-4 bedrooms) to live and manage the farm 24/7.
Production type
Vegetable - Cucumbers, tomatoes, greens
Livestock - Cattle -
Livestock - Goats - Small dairy goat herd
Poultry - Layers - Pasture-raised eggs-laying
Greenhouse - Seasonal vegetable production
Type of agriculture
Organic -
Conventional -
Soil needs
Will acquire commercial insurance
Yes - Yes, we are fully ready to obtain the necessary commercial insurance before starting operations.
