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ABOUT THE LAND
This 2.5-acre ALR land is conveniently located in Cowichan Bay, only 10 minutes outside of downtown Duncan, in the heart of the Cowichan Valley. It offers great access to market and housing options in town.
There is approximately 1 acre of fenced livestock enclosure awaiting a new farmer. It has natural grass, periodically grazed by the neighbour’s sheep (about 8 of them), but not currently used for agriculture. This south-facing land is perfectly flat, and has full fun.
The property was subdivided from a neighbouring farm approximately 30 years ago. The land has not been farmed since then and was instead used as a home for the previous owners. The neighbouring farms are growing hay and feed corn for dairy cattle, sheep, and horses in the surrounding fields.
The current landholders have cultivated a 3000-sqft home garden, complete with a greenhouse, wash sink, and roadside farm stand that could also be available for collaborative use. The garden is in its 2nd year – planted mostly in annual vegetables, with some berries and fruit trees. The soil has been amended with ample horse manure and lime to increase the pH, which was quite acidic to start with. There is additional space to expand the garden up to a total of 1/4 acre, if a farmer is keen to manage it as a market garden.
Water will be supplied from a well, shared between residential and farm uses.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The landholders are seeking a professional farmer to bring growing skills and youthful energy to this land. The landholders envision supporting a new farmer to create an ecological farm that could help educate the children about nature and full circle of food. To them, shared values and a good personality fit are the most important elements in this match.
Pastured poultry (eggs or meat) would be preferable for the land, but the landholders are open to discussing other animals. Other livestock that can work well with, or in rotation with, the sheep would be ideal so that the neighbour can continue to use the space. Honey bees are also very welcome here.
If the farmer wants to lease the garden area, the landholders would appreciate a chance to help out in the garden, and receive a share of its bounty for the family. Open to trading the land lease for a CSA share of equivalent value.
This is an excellent opportunity for a start-up farmer who has agricultural education and/or experience, and is ready to launch a new farm business!
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.