Name? Rob Gilchrist
Where do you farm? Funky Beets Farm in Powell River B.C.
What do you farm? We are a small mixed use farm raising organic chickens and pork, a market garden, 2 greenhouses and organic eggs.
What is your land tenure? The farm is located on leased land that we have slowly been clearing of alders and have about 2 acres cleared. We are in the process of working though a subdivision as well as a legal lease agreement.
How did you seriously get into farming? I seriously got into farming after years of working in restaurants and finding it next to impossible to source local, small scale produced meat and vegetable.
Why did you apply for the YA Business Mentorship Network? I applied to YA business mentorship in hopes of gaining a better understanding of my finances so that I can project for a successful and sustainable outcome.
What is the greatest business challenge you face as a young farmer? The greatest obstacle I am facing is being able to secure a lease that will protect my interest and investments so that i can move forward with my business plan with a sense of security.
What are your business goals for the season? My business goals for the season are to double our production, carry our season through the winter as well as the construction of a certified kitchen. We hope to produce value added products that we can sell at the winter market further extending our season.
What business tools could you not live without? Although there a re several, the business tool that i could not live without would have to be my dry erase boards. I do a considerable amount of planning, outlay and forecasting on them.
If you had a farming super power what would it be? If i had a farm super power it would be to make the sun shine when it’s raining and make the rains fall when the wells run dry.
How can we find out more about you, your farm, and its products? Funky Beets Farm
Funding for the Young Agrarians Business Mentorship Network Pilot is provided in part by Salt Spring Coffee, Vancity, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the BC Ministry of Agriculture through programs delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC.