ABOUT THE LAND
The owners purchased these rural 17 acres in the tranquil Sahtlam area outside of Duncan, BC four years ago, BC, as a retirement project. They were attracted to the bio-diversity that the land holds, as well as its food-growing potential. The land offers a very fertile 2.5 acre low-lying area with one drilled and two dug wells, a slope for an orchard potentially, a creek, 10 acres of forest, and 2 acres with regenerating forest. There are several buildings: a farmhouse, workshop, two barns and a cottage.
The owners feel very fortunate to steward this parcel of land and purchased it because they are concerned about the ever increasing, pressing planetary issues of our time. To make their dream of a productive, biodiverse farm a reality, they want to share the farm with others who come with skill-sets to make it all work and who also have a passion for treading lightly on the land. Some of the projects they have in mind are building a greenhouse, installing solar panels and storing the roof water from the barns. The farm may also be a good place for a pond to create more habitat for the endangered Western toad.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The owners believe in organic food growing, as well as fostering the natural world. The owners have been fixing up buildings since the purchase, and are now looking for young energetic folks to take on farming the fertile 2.5 acres with deep loam (no rocks) while renting the 3-bedroom farmhouse. A long term lease is preferred (~5 years).
The pasture has not been farmed/used for many years, but can easily be brought into production. An insulated wood working shop would also be included in the lease, as well as a small storage shed. If you have woodworking skills this opportunity could be the ideal place to support both food growing and building endeavours.
QUALIFICATIONS, AND GET IN TOUCH!
The ideal candidates have significant farming experience and are committed to growing and maintaining a productive market garden. Besides old pasture land to be brought into production, there are fences to be replaced and pumps to be installed for irrigation, among other tasks. The owners are willing to cover the cost of deer fencing and installing a pump in the drilled well, and if you have skills to support these projects that will be a great asset.
For more information about this opportunity contact the Vancouver Island Land Matcher, Azja, at azja@youngagrarians.org or 250-413-7560.
To learn more about the BC Land Matching Program and to find other land opportunities visit https://youngagrarians.org/tools/land/
The B.C. Land Matching Program is funded on Vancouver Island by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Cowichan Valley Regional District. Thank you to Cowichan Green Community for providing in-kind program support.