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ABOUT THE FARMER
Roger has been farming avocados, macadamia nuts and passionfruit in South Africa for 18 years in collaboration with his Canadian wife, Charlotte, who has been living in South Africa with Roger for the past 14 years. They now have a 2-year old daughter, and are immigrating back to Canada. Vancouver Island is where they feel at home and they are excited to be close to their family in Nanaimo.
After doing extensive research and meeting with fellow kiwi growers, Roger believes that the Cowichan Valley is a suitable area to grow golden kiwis. They have accumulated kiwi knowledge from fellow farmers in both South Africa and Canada.
Roger is well experienced in both business and farm practices as he has been managing his 400-acre family farm for the past two decades. Charlotte has a degree in graphic design, and is excited to grow a business with her husband and daughter on Vancouver Island. As a family, they are ambitious, and not afraid of change or physical labour. Most of all, they love adventures!
THEIR LAND VISION
Roger and Charlotte are seeking around 10 acres of land, but are happy to look at leasing a few smaller properties of 3-4 acres each in the Cowichan Valley. They are looking for land with a lease of a minimum of 10 years, but ideally longer term so that they can see a return on their investment. Orchard structures will need to be set up to trestle the kiwis, which will be a large up-front cost for the family. The fruits will take a minimum of 3 years to come into production, and several more years before the vines reach their peak production.
The land will need to have sufficient water for farm irrigation. Roger and Charlotte will regenerate any land that needs it, and will do all the preparation for kiwi growth.
It would be beneficial for the land to have a storage barn or shelter to store the kiwi fruit over the winter. A tractor or any other farming equipment on the property would be helpful but not a must – Roger and Charlotte will be gathering all equipment as needed.
The farming family of three are also looking for a house to rent in the area while they are farming, so a small cottage on the property would also be a bonus but not a necessity.
GET IN TOUCH
This farmer is participating in the B.C. Land Matching Program. Reach out to the Vancouver Island Land Matcher at kiyomi@youngagrarians.org to start a conversation and learn about next steps.
Learn more about these farmers (and other farmers and Land Listings in your region) on the Young Agrarians UMAP. For more about the B.C. Land Matching Program, please visit youngagrarians.org/land.
The B.C. Land Matching Program is funded on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative, with additional support from Cowichan Valley Regional District and the Real Estate Foundation of BC.