General farming (3 years+) - In Ukraine I gained hands‑on experience in small‑scale mixed farming through managing my family’s household garden. We grew potatoes, beets, carrots, onions, cabbages, cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs, as well as berries and orchard fruit such as currants, raspberries, apples, and plums, which we used fresh and preserved for winter.
Do you have a business plan?
Yes - Yes, I prepared a Business Model Canvas outlining what I will grow and how I’ll manage the garden.
Do you have financial resources available to start your farm?
No - No large capital, but I have personal savings for seeds, plants, and basic supplies; I mainly need land access.
Do you have access to other financial resources (such as a financial partner, loan, etc.) to start your farm?'
Yes - I don’t need large financing; I mainly need land access and have enough personal savings for seeds, plants, and basic supplies. If I could get a small grant for the start, I don't mind.
Project
Farm Name
Olga's Farm
Farm Project Description
I am a Ukrainian newcomer rebuilding my life in British Columbia and looking to establish a small, carefully managed farm project in Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows. I have hands on experience from family gardening and small scale farming in Ukraine, where we grew vegetables, berries, and orchard fruits for fresh use and home preserves. Since arriving in B.C., I have been learning about local growing conditions and adapting my skills to this climate.
My main goal is to develop a small, intensive planting of black and red currants together with complementary crops that support a simple, sustainable farm business. In the first years I want to focus on building healthy soil, setting up perennial currant plantings, and establishing reliable yields that can support my household’s needs. Over time, I hope to expand production enough to supply local summer farmers’ markets with specialty currant products and fresh herbs, while maintaining good relations with the landholder and caring for the property.
The core of my production will be black and red currants, which I plan to use for value added products such as jams, kompot (fruit beverage), and preserves. Alongside the currants I will grow onions, garlic, culinary herbs, and possibly peonies and other flowers for beauty and pollinators. I have prepared a basic business plan and farm layout and am ready to start as soon as suitable land is secured, and I am keen to refine this plan further with support from Young Agrarians.
Preferred Arrangement
Lease -
Duration of the desired agreement
2–3 years (low or zero rent), with option to renew if it works well for both sides.
Ideal date to obtain land by
ASAP
Land & Features Desired
Total Land Size (acres)
0.5 acre
Wooded Area (acres)
No
Cultivable Area (acres)
0.5 acre cultivable
Possibility to expand area currently available (acres)
Yes - Yes – possible future expansion up to approximately 0.75–1.0 acres, depending on landholder interest and site suitability.
Zoning
ALR
Preferred current state of the surface of the cultivable area
Previously cultivated or in grass/pasture, with basic soil in place and minimal rocks; light clearing or bed preparation is fine, but not heavy forest or brush.
Open to landowner residing on property
Yes - Yes – I am comfortable with the landowner living on the property and appreciate having clear communication, privacy, and shared expectations about access to the garden area.
Need farm buildings
No
Need fenced land
No
Need farm machinery and tools
No
Need established water source and infrastructure
I need reliable seasonal access to irrigation water for approximately 0.40 acres of mixed vegetables, berries, and fruit. A basic system such as a hose connection, outdoor tap, or small drip/sprinkler setup is sufficient. I do not require high‑volume irrigation, but I need enough water to irrigate regularly during dry periods and to have access to clean water for washing harvested produce.
Need on-site housing
No
Production type
Vegetable - Onion, Garlic, Herbs
Orchard/Fruit - Black and Red Currants
Flower - Might be Peonies
Type of agriculture
Conventional -
Soil needs
Will acquire commercial insurance
No - No – this is a very small, low‑risk household garden project (0.40 acres) for personal food and homemade preserves, not a commercial farm, and at this time I am not planning to purchase a separate commercial insurance policy.
