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
Situated on a 5-acre, non-ALR property just outside the City of Courtenay on Vancouver Island, BC, this field is available for a variety of farming projects!
The area was cleared with a brush cutter three years ago, when a neighbour was developing his strawberry and vegetable farm on an adjacent piece of land. When this neighbour’s farm attained organic certification, the field was included in the certified area. Their plans to expand production into this area have since changed, so the field is now fallow with certified organic status. The neighbours on the other side of the field have a vineyard, and supply grapes to a local winery.
The field will need some preparation before it’s ready for planting. Clearing the existing vegetation—including Nootka roses, blackberries, and grasses—will be the first step. There is currently no dedicated water source in the field, but a 3,000-gallon cistern is available for rainwater collection, and the landholders are open to exploring other options, such as digging a shallow well. The property may also be connected to municipal water in the near future, creating additional irrigation possibilities.
Approximately 1 acre of the property sits underneath the BC Hydro transmission lines, with one tower in a corner of the field. Otherwise, the ground is open and clear. BC Hydro has the right of way to maintain the tower, but it is mostly left untouched.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
This versatile land offers many possibilities for a wide variety of projects: vegetables, flowers, berries, fruits, livestock, a nursery, bees, and more!
The landholders are enthusiastic about collaboration, and there is potential for long-term perennial crops if that aligns with the farmer’s goals. With a bit of creativity and farming know-how, this space could become a thriving hub for fresh, local food. Given that the property already holds organic certification, it is an ideal starting point for anyone looking to tap into the organic market.
There is space for an RV or tiny home, so the incoming farmer could live on-site. The RV pad is tucked just beyond the field, nestled among the trees for privacy, and it comes with electricity already in place. Water and septic hook-ups are in progress, making this an attractive option for someone eager to build a life—and a livelihood—on the land.
ABOUT THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The landholders value a peaceful, respectful environment and are looking for an independent, self-reliant farmer (or farming couple) who can harmoniously share the space.
Whether you’re an experienced farmer ready to expand operations, or a new grower excited to start up a new farm, this is a chance to build something meaningful from the ground up. The farmer will have the freedom to design their farming project from scratch while contributing to the vitality of the land, and ideally, to the local community as well.
This opportunity is ideal for someone with a pioneering spirit: a farmer who sees raw potential and feels inspired by the idea of cultivating new grounds.
GET IN TOUCH
This land is available through the B.C. Land Matching Program. If you are interested in this land opportunity, please contact the Vancouver Island Land Matcher, Kiyomi, at kiyomi@youngagrarians.org with the link to this post, any relevant photos and a paragraph or two on each of the following:
- About you
- Your farming experience
- Your plans for the land
For more details, check out the UMAP Listing for this property.
To learn more about the BC Land Matching Program and other land opportunities, visit youngagrarians.org/tools/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.