We always have new land opportunities coming into our inventory, some of which aren’t on our blog yet! Get in touch with a Land Matcher at bclmp@youngagrarians.org to learn about the latest opportunities and to access free B.C. Land Matching Program services in your region.
ABOUT THE LAND
Cresta Roca Farm is a 5-acre permaculture farm located on Gabriola Island, BC. The farm is home to herds and flocks of animals – goats, horses, donkeys, chickens, ducks and geese. The farmers specialize in breeding heritage poultry (namely, Lavender Orpingtons) and registered Nigerian Dwarf goats with a focus on conformation and dairy structure. The farm also produces red wiggler worms and vermicompost which contribute to quality garlic and other organically-grown vegetables.
The available land is comprised of two 1/4 plots totalling approximately 1/2 acre. The plots are currently unused and in fallow grass. The farm has a bountiful supply of rich compost for building healthy soil, on these plots, which will require some initial work to develop the growing areas – installing goat-proof fencing, preparing the soil, etc. There is also a third small established garden area, fenced with raised beds, which is available for shared use.
Water for farm use is supplied from a licenced well and water-conserving practices will be essential in the summer months.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
Cresta Roca Farm is seeking a vegetable or flower grower and/or beekeeper to make use of the unused land on the property. The farm excels at raising animals and are looking to diversify the farm with more crops on the land, increasing the sustainability of the whole system.
The landholder is working towards building a stronger farming presence on Gabriola and Vancouver Island and envisions doing more agri-tourism on the farm – for example, farm accommodations, tours, workshops and more. The incoming farmer should also be passionate about community engagement and excited about sharing space with multiple projects on the land.
Gabriola Island is easily accessible from Nanaimo, a pleasant 20-minute trip via a ferry that runs every half hour. Island life offers a mild coastal climate, abundant natural beauty and a vibrant community of artists, innovators, passionate locavores and hard-working farmers. Come and see what this Isle of the Arts has for you!
ABOUT THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
This is an opportunity for an experienced gardener and/or beekeeper who enjoys a remote farming lifestyle on a small Gulf Island and is keen to explore the farming potential of this land. All farmers must be animal savvy, and can appreciate roosters crawling at all times of the day!
The new farmer will be working in close proximity with the landholder and WWOOFing guests, who farm and live on the land. Personal fit and compatibility with the entire farm will be the most important factor in finding a good match here, and the landholder would like to spend time getting to know potential candidates in order to assure a solid fit.
GET IN TOUCH
This land opportunity is available through 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 the land (and other 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.