About The Land
Shelter Farm is located on a 172-acre ALR property in the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD). Historically, the farm was a conventional agriculture, potato farm. The Port Alberni Shelter Society has been farming it as a market garden for the past few years.
Our current labour pool can only successfully farm 2 of our large annual crop fields, leaving the 3rd field fallow and open to be farmed. It is a 0.8-acre of cultivated field, fully enclosed with 8′-high fencing. In addition, 80+ acres of grassland is available that could be cultivated as well.
The vast majority of the property is a peat bog, so the soil is high in peat moss and organic matter! There is a creek running beside the field where the irrigation system could be set up on. We hold a conditional use permit for this water source.
The farm has some outbuildings that could be shared with the farmer for tool storage, etc.
The farm and fields are all accessible by road and vehicle.
About the Opportunity
Shelter Farm is looking for an experienced group of farmers/gardeners to come and cultivate the field for a crop-sharing arrangement. The field is available immediately for the 2023 season. It tends to be wet here in the spring, though, so late April – May is a good time to start.
The new farmer(s) will perform the bulk of the labour for their plots of land. We’re looking for a crop-sharing agreement – for example, 80:20 between the farmer(s) and Shelter Farm, but we’re open to negotiation.
There is no housing available on the Farm. But, it is only a 10-min drive from the town of Port Alberni.
Get in Touch
Please contact Alex at alex@portalbernishelter.com to find out more and apply!
To learn more about Shelter Farm and the Port Alberni Shelter Society: https://portalbernishelter.com/shelter-farm/ or on Facebook.