Name? Kevin Allen
Where do you farm? Elemental Farm in Saanich, BC
What do you farm? Mixed vegetables
What type of business structure is your farm? Sole proprietorship
What is your land tenure? I have a lease arrangement for 4-years at Haliburton Farm, an incubator project of the Capitol Regional District. I’ll have a maximum term of 8 years and have access to shared tools, infrastructure, and markets to help me establish my farm business.
What inspired you to get into farming? To do meaningful work that is connected to our environment and community.
Why did you apply for business mentorship? I’m a new farmer, have just moved to the Victoria area, and am definitely in need of some guidance.
What is the greatest business challenge you face as a young farmer? As a new farmer to a new site I am still establishing the market opportunities and assessing the site capabilities.
What is your primary business goal for the season? To set the foundation of solid operating processes.
What business tools could you not live without? Spreadsheets!
If you had a farming robot what would it be? I could definitely use a Sidekick Robot to put everything away.
How can we find out more about you, your farm, and its products? Look up Haliburton Community Organic Farm; they’re an awesome group to be apart of!
Funding for the Young Agrarians Business Mentorship Network in 2018 has been provided by Vancity, the Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia, and the Governments of Canada and British Columbia through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Thank you to our funders.
