Business Mentorship Network – Three Chi’s Acres

Young Agrarians is celebrating the twelfth year of the Business Mentorship Network (BMN) program in BC and the fourth year of the BMN in the Prairies! The BMN offers a year-long farm business mentorship to a diverse array of new and young farmers. Through one-on-one mentorship, peer networks, and online workshops, new farmers develop the skills necessary to operate ecologically sustainable and financially viable farm businesses.

Applications for Mentees across Canada are now open! Mentor applications are accepted year-round. Click below for more information and to apply.

Meet a mentee from the current cohort and learn about their farm and their experience of mentorship in the BMN. Want more? Head over to our BMN Blog for more mentorship stories.

Meet a Mentee: Three Chi’s Acre

My name is Kirsten Riewe, my pronouns are she/her, and my business is Three Chi’s Acre. I grow a wide variety of cut flowers on the unceded lands of the Sc’ianew people, also known as East Sooke, BC. My mentor is Claire Jutras from Earth Candy Farm.

What were your goals for this season?

My goals were to streamline my farm business so I could have a bit more life alongside farming, commit to certain sales channels, get my finances in order, and bring my farm to the masses with better marketing. 

What went well this season relating to your goals?

Having a set weekly and seasonal schedule helped me stick to more of a routine on the farm, which was super helpful. Engaging in fewer sales channels helped my chosen ones succeed.

What didn’t go as you expected and what was your response?

I didn’t get much work done in the financial department… still a work in progress, but hoping to get it organized and sorted this winter for next season. 

What was the best piece of feedback or praise you got from a customer?

I had one of my brides tell me that everyone at her wedding couldn’t believe the variety of flowers in her bouquet, that they had never seen flowers like hers before.

What were one or two big, hard lessons this season you would want to share with other farmers?

If you lease land, there can be things that pop up that may be (hopefully temporarily) out of your control. I found it helpful to remember to breathe, and take small steps forward in the direction you want to move your business, so that you are still following your dream for your farming business, even though it may be slower or in smaller steps. 

What were one or two victories, small or large, that you had this season?

Because I had a set weekly farm schedule, it allowed me to stress WAY LESS! I felt mostly calm and prepared for the entire season, even through the events we had, which was huge for my mental health and well-being.

What was the most valuable piece of advice your mentor gave you or the most important thing you gained from the YA Business Mentorship Network Program experience?

Oh so many! Claire was a kind voice of reason. Having someone to listen from the outside looking in was so helpful. I have so many ideas, it can be hard to navigate which ones are good or which ones should stay on the shelf for a bit. Also, as your farm business experience grows over the years, you begin to learn what you love and what you don’t anymore. How you want to move your business forward, and what kind of changes you want to make. Claire was amazing in offering an experienced and honest opinion and while allowing me to feel totally safe to be open and vulnerable. 

In what ways did the BMN program and support of your mentor help you refine or reshape the long-term direction of your farm?

We were able to put into practice things and goals we had talked about this season, which was helpful in making changes and decisions for moving into next season. So even though the mentorship is technically over, it will still be helping me next year!

What will you do differently next year?

I am hoping to streamline sales channels even more, planning to grow fewer varieties but more of the crops I do choose to grow, and continue to be brave and keep taking chances to follow my dreams for my farm even if they seem a bit crazy!

What are you most looking forward to this winter?

I look forward to taking things a bit slower and a super deep ( and much needed) clean of my studio!!!!

Where can we find you online?

Website: threechisacre.ca,  IG @threechisacre

Feeling inspired and ready to dig into your business with a mentor? Mentee applications are open until Nov 15th, 2025. Mentor applications are open year-round.