Filter by Popular Categories
Posted on July 15, 2026
“There is so much to learn about farming and all of its aspects. The behind the scenes information is so important. I wanted to learn more about how to manage the business in real time. Access to another farmer for support and to connect with other farmers who are also in start up mode is invaluable.”
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 open in October 2026. Click below to be notified when applications open!
Mentor applications are accepted year-round. Check out the Business Mentorship Network page for more information!
Meet a mentee from the current cohort and learn about their farm and why they joined the Business Mentorship Network. Want more? Head over to our BMN Blog for more mentorship stories.
My name is Kaitlyne Peden and I am the owner of Sweetpea Farms in Vernon, BC, the unceded traditional territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) people. My Mentor is Raquel from Hough Heritage Farm in Gibsons, BC.
What type of business structure is your farm and what kind of land agreement do you have?
The business structure is a sole proprietorship. I farm on my parents’ land. They bought it in 2003 as bare land and worked hard to build out the infrastructure. Unfortunately, almost everything burned down in the 2021 White Rock Lake fire with 8 of 9 buildings lost including our barn. In 2022, the house was rebuilt and we have been building back up from there. We are rebuilding the barn this summer with the support of a BC farm grant that we applied for, and secured!
How much land is under production on your farm and what do you produce?
The productive land is 15-20 acres and I offer pork, chicken and turkey and am expanding into beef this year, raising two varieties of small cattle. I sell by the pound but my specialty is offering curated meat boxes to provide an affordable option for small families and individuals. Our starting box is as small as 10lbs and prices for meat boxes are often between $120-$360, with special pop-up boxes offered throughout the year.
Did you access any financing to buy land or start your farm business?
I participated in a StartUp program at the North Okanagan Community Futures office in Vernon. It lasted for 15 weeks and it included a business boot camp to support our business planning and management skills. I then joined their Enterprize Challenge which is akin to Dragon’s Den where I pitched my business to a panel of judges made up of local business owners.
With the program’s support I created a full business plan with financial projections and had the opportunity to tell the story of my vision for the farm. There were 22 business owners and I was chosen among the top five to go to the finale. I was offered support through a financial advisor through the Community Futures office to further hone my plan for submission. I presented my plan in front of the judges and an audience and ultimately my business was chosen to receive a package of free radio advertising. This radio spot ran this spring in my local community.
What inspired you to get into farming?
I farmed with my Dad on his hog farm when I was young and we have always had laying chickens. In 2023 I was inspired to raise my own meat animals because of the low quality of meat in our local grocery stores. I began raising animals for our family only and I fell in love with it! It was so rewarding to see all of my hard work come to fruition. To see my animals grow happy and healthy and to feed my family was very satisfying. I then lost my job and was accessing a job program at the local Community Futures office and heard about the support for business start up. I was inspired to turn our farming efforts into a business in 2024. This is my second season offering local healthy meat to my community. The farm has grown and evolved and is constantly changing. I would love to pass along what I have learned and support hobby farmers so they learn what it takes to keep livestock happy and healthy and avoid mistakes in the beginning that can impact their animals.
How did you learn how to farm?
I learned from my Dad all about pigs and the rest I learned by connecting to other farmers, researching online and engaging in lots of trial and error. It involves sifting through lots of information to determine what is relevant to my situation and my animals. It is a labour of love! I truly believe that our peers in the sector are our greatest gift and resource! Many have been doing this for many years and have so much experience and knowledge to share.
What types of ecological farm practices and/or responses to climate change realities do you engage in?
I raise small breed cattle to reduce the footprint on the land and offer the opportunity to better rotationally graze the animals resulting in healthier fields. We have decided not to use any chemicals or sprays on the property and use other methods to reduce pest pressure and maintain the health of the animals. The manure from our animals is composted and added back to the fields to build the health of the soil.
I farmed with my Dad on his hog farm when I was young and we have always had laying chickens. In 2023 I was inspired to raise my own meat animals because of the low quality of meat in our local grocery stores. I began raising animals for our family only and I fell in love with it! It was so rewarding to see all of my hard work come to fruition. To see my animals grow happy and healthy and to feed my family was very satisfying. I then lost my job and was accessing a job program at the local Community Futures office and heard about the support for business start up. I was inspired to turn our farming efforts into a business in 2024. This is my second season offering local healthy meat to my community. The farm has grown and evolved and is constantly changing. I would love to pass along what I have learned and support hobby farmers so they learn what it takes to keep livestock happy and healthy and avoid mistakes in the beginning that can impact their animals.
How did you learn how to farm?
I learned from my Dad all about pigs and the rest I learned by connecting to other farmers, researching online and engaging in lots of trial and error. It involves sifting through lots of information to determine what is relevant to my situation and my animals. It is a labour of love! I truly believe that our peers in the sector are our greatest gift and resource! Many have been doing this for many years and have so much experience and knowledge to share.
What types of ecological farm practices and/or responses to climate change realities do you engage in?
I raise small breed cattle to reduce the footprint on the land and offer the opportunity to better rotationally graze the animals resulting in healthier fields. We have decided not to use any chemicals or sprays on the property and use other methods to reduce pest pressure and maintain the health of the animals. The manure from our animals is composted and added back to the fields to build the health of the soil.
Why did you apply for business mentorship?
There is so much to learn about farming and all of its aspects. The behind the scenes information is so important. I wanted to learn more about how to manage the business in real time. Access to another farmer for support and to connect with other farmers who are also in start up mode is invaluable. I love the Young Agrarians for all the events and support available for farmers and am excited to be involved. YA helps farmers with a wealth of knowledge in so many areas.
What are your primary business goals for the season?
I would like to reseed the hay field to reduce the cost of purchasing feed from other sources. I would like to expand our offering to include vegetables to create a Sunday dinner box. I’m trying to get our products put into at least one local store. I would also like to expand into offering workshops and consulting that offer the hobby farmer with support to raise their own livestock.
What is the greatest challenge you face as a new farmer?
There are so many! As a new young farmer the hardest part is finding customers. I need to put myself out there and demonstrate what is unique about my farm and my product. There are a few retiring livestock farmers in the area and I see this as an opportunity to fill the gap in the market. It is tough to compete against other large operations but I believe I have something valuable to offer. The radio ads and building an email list of potential customers will help support me to spread the word in my community.
The other challenge is the cost of raising livestock. The costs have increased over 200% in the last ten years! It is hard to keep the costs down when feed costs and butchering costs are high and climbing. We simply can not compete on price with the lower quality meat in the grocery store so my approach is to focus on the quality of the product and the practices that ensure the animals and the environment are healthy.
What business tools or resources could you not live without?
Facebook has been a great support to my business! It is an easy way to connect with peers and farming groups. I can ask questions and get all sorts of information and support and receive direction on a research path that leads me to invaluable information and resources.
How can we find out more about you, your farm, and its products?
Find me at https://www.sweetpeafarms.ca/ and on FB and Instagram at SweetpeaFarmsOkgn
