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A 1-acre plot is available to lease at Haliburton Community Organic Farm starting January 2023. This is an amazing opportunity for someone with previous farming experience or education to build a farm business in a supportive environment, on a turn-key ready to grow plot!
About Haliburton Community Organic Farm
Haliburton Farm is an incubator farm on land owned by the District of Saanich, on the traditional unceded territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ nation. It was started in 2001, and is managed by the Haliburton Community Organic Farm Society. The farm has grown to include 5 farm plots rented through short term leases to new farmers to start their farm businesses in a low risk, community environment, before moving on to more permanent land. It also includes a large wetland, a native plant nursery, and a diversity of agricultural and educational programming.
About the Plot
The plot available is 0.9 acres of certified organic land, that has been managed intensively for many years by multiple farmers. It has been cultivated in a mix of vegetables, cane berries, and flowers. The sandy, well-drained soil allows year round growing. It is deer fenced and includes municipal water access.
Farming at Haliburton Farm includes access to well-established marketing channels. Haliburton farmers can sell their produce collectively at the on-site farm stand and at Moss Street Market, as well as through their own local sales.
There is access to a shared large walk-in cooler, indoor storage space, and a seedling greenhouse. The plot includes a number of assets that can be purchased by the incoming farmer, including an automated irrigation system, mixed perennial plants (lemon verbena, lavender, black currents, strawberries, goji berries, etc.), and other equipment and supplies.
Requirements
This is a large plot with the capacity for a robust, intensive business! Although this is an incubator opportunity, applicants must have farming experience, farming education, or a combination of both to be considered. Applications must include a business plan for a vegetable farm business (mixed food/livestock options can possibly be discussed) that outlines proposed strategies for production, operations, marketing, and financials.
The entire farm is certified organic by the Islands Organic Producer Association. The incoming farmer must apply for and maintain organic certification for the entirety of their lease, and maintain their plot and business according to the organic standards.
Lease terms
The lease term is 4 years.
The lease rate for the available plot is $1000/year, plus fees for shared utilities. Utility costs include municipal water fees, hydro, internet, organic certification fees, farmers’ market stall fees, Haliburton Farm Society membership, advertising and website. The expense cost for this plot ranged between $2,000-2,500/year for the past 4 years.
Tenants at Haliburton Farm are expected to be engaged in all aspects of the farm and societies mandate, including biodiversity stewardship, education, and community engagement. All of our farmers and Society board members work cooperatively to steward this special piece of land for the next generation of organic farmers, including participating in shared space maintenance, engaging . More details about the farm can be found at: www.haliburtonfarm.org
Get in Touch
Apply directly to Haliburton Farm. Application information is available here. Please ensure to attach a business plan as per the application instructions. Deadline for application has been extended – please submit your application ASAP.
We encourage applications from queer, BIPOC, and women farmers!
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 access business support and other services that are available for new farmers through Young Agrarians.
Learn more about the land (and other Land Listings in your region) on the Young Agrarians U-MAP.
The B.C. Land Matching Program is funded on Vancouver Island by the Province of British Columbia, with support from Cowichan Valley Regional District and Patagonia.