General farming (3 years+) - Owned farm with sheep, chickens and goats. Grew organic vegetables and microgreens for local market
Other experience/agricultural/business training - Agricultural/business training: regenerative agriculture, holistic management & managed grazing. I have an Environmental Studies Degree. I also ran an award winning Inn on the SGIs and a Nonprofit with 500 staff so have good business skills. I lived in the South Pacific and South Asia for 15 years.
Do you have a business plan?
Yes - • Consulting with SSI Farm for Neighbours/regenerative Farmer/SSI Ag Trust, I will be developing the land for organic produce and livestock. The consultation will provide excellent contacts for assisting with the farm’s development. The acreage will be shared between an intensive half-acre vegetable garden, mobile poultry pens, and a small rotational grazing area for a mini flock of hair sheep. The livestock will not be sold as meat. • Some indoor space or a portable hot house will be used for the microgreens. The microgreens provide steady, year-round income regardless of BC weather. • .02-.05 acres will be used for a mini market garden using permanent raised beds. I will focus on high-value crops like salad greens, root vegetables, and tomatoes (also good for sheep and poultry). • The poultry will use about 1/3 of the acreage and can be kept in mobile coops. They will naturally fertilize and control pests. And eggs will be sold. • I will raise hair sheep (like Katahdin or Dorpers) suited for small spaces and keep a small group of 3 to 5 ewes and rotate them) If possible) to avoid overgrazing. • The produce will be sold to local customers: farm stands/farmers' markets. • External hay will be required and fencing and soil fertility will be challenges. • I would also like to share hobby farm knowledge and produce with the local community ( online) and perhaps in person through one-on-one training etc. helping to increase hobby farmer self-sufficiency.
Do you have financial resources available to start your farm?
Yes - Yes – savings, part-time work and project consulting.
Do you have access to other financial resources (such as a financial partner, loan, etc.) to start your farm?'
Yes - I have a financial partner in the affordable housing project and have applied for several grant programs for women farmers - Farm Credit Canada, Ag Pal Program, SCAP and local foundations.
Project
Farm Name
Apo The Three Hearts Farm
Farm Project Description
I am looking to build on my farming passion and experience on Salt Spring island and bring my skills to a local land match assisting the landowner with farming, sharing eggs, sheep fiber and sheep/goat milk and developing and cultivating organic vegetable produce for sharing and for the market. Microgreens are a newer area of interest that I am especially excited to expand.
I wish to pursue livestock care and organic gardening and am open to considering various land arrangements on SSI. My intention is to raise a small herd of heritage breed sheep (4-6) and chickens (10-20) for preservation and also using the sheep for fiber/dairy and invasive vegetation management and fire-line maintenance and for egg production.
I have been farming for more than six years, including several years operating my own farm with 25 chickens, 4 sheep, and 4 goats. During that time, I gained hands-on experience with animal care, breeding cycles, egg production, and small-scale farm management. My ewes lambed annually, the chickens produced both eggs and chicks, and the goats had healthy kids. I sold surplus eggs online and managed day-to-day livestock needs with care and consistency.
I have also cared for farm animals in other settings, including helping establish a farm sanctuary in Surrey, British Columbia, where I oversaw the care of approximately 20 rescued farm animals, from cows to ducks.
In addition, I have developed market gardens to grow produce for my household and for small local markets.
I wish to share my livestock farming knowledge with new hobby farmers to help them
navigate livestock fundamentals, sustainable practices – both online and one-on-one if possible as there are so many new farmers unfamiliar with the basics.
I am seeking 2-3 acres, preferably fenced already, but I can add out-buildings and fencing on the farm property as needed and will require a space for my RV (32 Feet) to live near my animals.
Preferred Arrangement
Lease -
MOU -
Duration of the desired agreement
1-3 years+
Ideal date to obtain land by
October 2026
Land & Features Desired
Total Land Size (acres)
1-10 acres
Wooded Area (acres)
No
Cultivable Area (acres)
.05 to 1 for garden, 2+ for livestock
Possibility to expand area currently available (acres)
No
Zoning
Either
Preferred current state of the surface of the cultivable area
Some good soil health with some water retention. Arable would be great. I would prefer not to start form scratch with tillage etc. Previously used at some point for farming is a good start. Access to some water and/or a place to put water storage. Will be working with regenerative farmers (as my consultants) so little tilling, if any, and good crop rotation/building of soils likely required.
Open to landowner residing on property
Yes - Sure in their own house and sharing of driveway/ etc. ok. Be comfortable with assisting them on the farm and them me, if interested..
Need farm buildings
Yes - A shelter of some kind for sheep/chickens or can make/bring movable coop/shelter materials. A shed would be helpful.
Need fenced land
Yes - Preferrable but can organize rotating fencing, new fencing/used fencing.
Need farm machinery and tools
No
Need established water source and infrastructure
Water for animals and garden - will bring own hoses. Water storage is good,
Need on-site housing
Yes - Have own RV and can organize amenities accordingly. A cabin would be wonderful :)
Production type
Vegetable - Tomatoes, Root Vegetables and leafy greens;Microgreens
Livestock - Sheep - 4-Heritage if possible and/or Dorper, Katahdin, St Croix
