Name? Karly Pinch, with farming partner Michaela Horner
Where you farm? Shady Acre Farm, in Richmond, BC
What do you farm? Mixed vegetables
What type of business structure is your farm? Partnership
What is your land tenure? 2 year lease, renewable
How did you seriously get into farming? Both of us were looking for a career change, and through volunteering, came across the UBC Farm Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture. From there, we both fell in love with farming and decided to make a go of it!
Why did you apply for the YA Business Mentorship Network? We’re starting our own farm, a brand new venture for both of us, and could use all the help we can get. We needed a lot of help in figuring out crop planning, marketing, and advice on where to get everything from seeding trays to soil to tools.
What is the greatest business challenge you face as a young farmer? Balancing farming and life – relationships, where to live. Also, just getting started, and battling the fear of not being able to make a living.
What are your business goals for the season? Since we’re brand new, it would be great to break even, and figure out how to make our farm financially viable.
What business tools could you not live without? All of the amazing resources provided in books, with the numbers and experience of previous farmers, especially in relation to crop planning.
If you had a farming super power what would it be? Weather prediction! And maybe the ability to see and understand soil fertility magically.
What is your favourite farm book? All the Dirt: Reflections on Organic Farming, by Rachel Fisher, Heather Stretch, & Robin Tunnicliffe
And, Crop Planning for Organic Vegetable Growers, by Frederic Theriault
How can we find out more about you, your farm, and its products? We’re still getting those up and going, but you’ll find us at www.shadyacrefarm.com or on Facebook at Shady Acre 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.
