Tag Archives: cooperatives

How to Choose Your Farm Marketing Channels: A Discussion with Established Farmers

Posted by Andrew Adams on December 20, 2023

SHE SELLS SEASHELLS BY THE SEASHORE. WHERE DO YOU SELL YOURS? Every new farmer is faced with the question: Where will I sell my products? There are many different sales models to consider – here, we offer wisdom from veteran farmers across B.C. on how to determine what kind of marketing approach might work best for you. Farmer, Know Thyself: matching your marketing strategy to your lifestyle Knowing who you are as a person, what you can handle and where your values sit is imperative to choosing your marketing channel. Our number one tip: getting hands-on farm experience and seeing … Continue reading How to Choose Your Farm Marketing Channels: A Discussion with Established Farmers

Why I Still Believe in Co-ops

Posted by Emi Do on September 19, 2023

There was a moment at a Young Agrarians farm potluck many moons ago, where I felt in my gut, “I think these are my people.” Maybe it was the unabashed way folks were chowing down on food, or the laugh lines etched into tired suntanned faces. My guess, though, is that I felt like I was among folks who, like me, were unwilling to let the big problems of the world get in the way of carving out a solution: action-oriented, spirited, and full of grit.  Fifteen years later, whether due to aching backs, low profit margins, or the looming … Continue reading Why I Still Believe in Co-ops

Transition Case Story: Horse Lake Farm Co-op

Posted by Darcy Smith on October 05, 2020 1 Comment

TURNING A FARM INTO A CO-OP – HORSE LAKE FARM CO-OPERATIVE For current farmers who value the community they’ve built on their land, the thought of selling the farm may be out of question. Turning a farm business into a co-operative, especially one that will eventually own the land, can be a way to formalize the community approach to farming and ensure the land will be available for future generations of farmers. This is a story about how co-operative structures can provide a long-term sustainable solution to transition.  This story begins in the 1970’s with a group of folks active … Continue reading Transition Case Story: Horse Lake Farm Co-op

JAN 26-27, 2019: FORT ST. JOHN, BC – Chris Bodnar on Co-op Development & Farm Business Management

Posted by Michalina Hunter on December 19, 2018

Grow Series with Chris Bodnar on Co-op Development & Farm Business Management Join us for two days of exciting workshops with Chris Bodnar of Close to Home Organics, in partnership with NEAT Northern Co-Hort.  WHEN: January 26-27, 9am-4pm WHERE: Treaty 8 Territory | Northern Grand Hotel, 9830 100 Ave, Fort St. John, B.C. COST: Sliding Scale $25-$50. All funds raised go towards Young Agrarians programming. Thank you for your support! Work trades are available – contact Michi at community@youngagrarians.org REGISTER: https://chrisbodnarfortstjohn2019.brownpapertickets.com ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/events/2233592653521911/ WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS Co-operatives in Agriculture Saturday, January 26th, 9am-4pm Introduction to the Co-operative Model in Agriculture: Co-operatives have … Continue reading JAN 26-27, 2019: FORT ST. JOHN, BC – Chris Bodnar on Co-op Development & Farm Business Management

SEPT 17: VICTORIA, BC – Lohbrunner Farm Tour and Land Stewardship Models for the Future

Posted by Moss Dance on September 12, 2017

Join us at Lohbrunner Community Farm for a farm tour, discussion on cooperatively managing farmland, potluck, and a work party! Learn more about our unique model for stewarding land, and for farmers to gain access to farm land. During the farm tour, we will talk about this model—the land is held in trust by Farm Folk City Folk, managed by the Lohbrunner Community Farm Co-op (LCFC). Farmland parcels are leased by individual farmers. After this tour and discussion we will share a potluck meal, and then get our hands dirty for an hour or two! Details of the work party TBA. WHEN: Sunday, September 17, … Continue reading SEPT 17: VICTORIA, BC – Lohbrunner Farm Tour and Land Stewardship Models for the Future

AUG 7: ALDERGROVE, BC – Glorious Organics Farming Together Tour

Posted by Moss Dance on July 25, 2017

Glorious Organics

Come and visit Glorious Organics to forage the wild, learn about co-operative farming, and visit Belle de Boskoop Forge! Several of the farmers who work on Fraser Common Farm will be on the farm to discuss and share about their farm operations. WHERE: Glorious Organics at Fraser Common Farm, 1322 256th Street, Aldergrove, BC, V4W 2J4 WHEN: Monday, August 7 from 3:00-8:00PM 3:00PM Farm tours, foraging, and blacksmithing demos! 5:30PM Potluck feast 6:30PM Discussions about co-operative farms, community building and more! Want to carpool? Or see who’s going? Check out the Facebook event! Please bring a dish to share and tools to eat with! … Continue reading AUG 7: ALDERGROVE, BC – Glorious Organics Farming Together Tour

APRIL 5: BRANTFORD, ON – Tools for Protecting Farmland Forum

Posted by Moss Dance on March 16, 2017

Tools for Protecting Farmland

Attention new farmers, retiring farmers, and organizations that support the protection of farmland and access to land for new farmers: Join us to learn about Tools for Protecting Farmland, a speakers panel followed by working round table discussion about innovative and effective ways to fund and protect farmland in Ontario. This forum will be hosted by Sustainable Brant, rare Charitable Research Reserve, and Langford Conservancy Speakers to include: Wally Seccombe, formerly of Everdale Farm; Dan Naccarato, New and Young Farmers; Scott Hughes, Capacity Build; Tom Woodcock, rare Charitable Research Reserve; Kathryn Enders, Ontario Farmland Trust; and Erin Shapiro, Ontario Greenbelt Alliance. Topics to be covered: … Continue reading APRIL 5: BRANTFORD, ON – Tools for Protecting Farmland Forum

OPPORTUNITY: LANGFORD, BC – Lohbrunner Community Farm Co-operative

Posted by Moss Dance on January 04, 2017

Lohbrunner Community Farm Co-operative

Lohbrunner Community Farm Cooperative in Langford BC is looking for passionate entrepreneur farmers to be part of the development of our 13 acre farm! About Lohbrunner Farm The coop is currently comprised of eight founding members who spearheaded the transfer of the farm from The Land Conservancy to Farm Folk City Folk who now hold the land in trust for many generations to come.  Now that the land is secured  we are ready to develop a community service nonprofit co-op. The farm has 6 acres approximately of a rich flood plane, 4 of which has been a hayfield for many … Continue reading OPPORTUNITY: LANGFORD, BC – Lohbrunner Community Farm Co-operative

SEPTEMBER 12: Golden Ears Farm Annual Corn Roast, Chase, BC

Posted by Kristen Nammour on August 31, 2015

Join YA for a Farm Tour, Corn Roast & Potluck at Golden Ears Farm in Chase, BC! This is an annual event at Golden Ears Farm  – a family farm tradition for over 30 years! Starting last year, we have opened it up to include a YA Farm Tour and Potluck. The farm tour will start by exploring the market garden and carry on to showcase the various animals that we tend. The potluck will start around 6ish with Golden Ears supplying the spit roasted pig ($5 contribution to cover this cost, please) and corn on the cob. Yum! Variety show and … Continue reading SEPTEMBER 12: Golden Ears Farm Annual Corn Roast, Chase, BC

Audio: Maintaining Healthy Farm Business Partnerships and a Farmland Cooperative Done Well

Posted by Jordan Marr on February 27, 2014

This episode features part one of my conversation with veggie grower Chris Bodnar of Close to Home Organics in Abbotsford, BC. In this segment, Chris tells me about his background, his partnership with another farmer when he first started out, and about the cooperatively-owned farm on which he works and lives.