FILLED – LAND OPPORTUNITY: 50-Year Old Family Farm Looking for Young Farmers – Merville, BC

*Application for this opportunity has closed. If you’re ready to farm and would like to explore land opportunities, please reach out to the Vancouver Island Land Matcher, Kiyomi, at kiyomi@youngagrarians.org.*

We have more land opportunities than what is listed here! Get in touch with a Land Matcher at land@youngagrarians.org to access our full land inventory and B.C. Land Matching Program support in your region.

ABOUT THE LAND

This land and mentorship opportunity lies on a 100+ acre family farm, lovingly stewarded by the landholders for the past 50 years. The farm is on prime ALR land in the Comox Valley. Approximately 70 acres are forested, which will be preserved as natural areas, and 25-30 acres are in productive pastures and hay fields.

The pastures are fully fenced with permanent perimeter fences, and wire and electric cross-fences all around, set up for rotational grazing of cattle. The fields are irrigated sufficiently from a deep dugout on the property, and water for cattle is supplied from a well (licensed for beef production).

The landholders have perfected a profitable pasture-raised beef production system, with a closed herd of cattle and homegrown forage (haylage and square bales) for year-round feeding.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

This is an operating, turn-key farming opportunity for the next generation of enthusiastic, ecological farmer(s)! The landholders have operated the farm since the 1970s, and are ready to retire. The older couple will continue to own and live on the property, and would like to see younger, energetic farmers to take over the operations, keeping it productive while making a good living on the land.

The landholders are open-minded about what the land will produce as long as it aligns with their values of sustainability and natural farming methods. It is essential that the animals are well taken care of, and pesticides and herbicides are not used on the land.

The new farmers have an opportunity to take on an established herd of cattle with a fully set-up beef business, and as much mentorship as they’d like to get started. Once established, the farmers will have considerable autonomy over their operations.

There are many accessory buildings, including barns, livestock shelters, chicken coops, fenced vegetable gardens, and storage buildings. Access to and use of tractors, equipment and tools for rotational grazing and hay production can be negotiated in an agreement.

A modest 3-bedroom house is available as part of the farm lease. The house is located far removed from the main residential area, with a lot of privacy and its own road access.

This can be a long-term opportunity for the right fit. Ideal candidate(s) will be someone who enjoys living on site and appreciates the farming lifestyle. There is potential for the farmer(s) to earn income through farm work, orchard/garden-sharing, property maintenance, and caretaking of the landholders. Seeking responsible, respectful, and enthusiastic farmers to make a life here!

GET IN TOUCH!

*Application for this opportunity has closed. If you’re ready to farm and would like to explore land opportunities, please reach out to the Vancouver Island Land Matcher, Kiyomi, at kiyomi@youngagrarians.org.*

This land opportunity is available through the B.C. Land Matching Program. Please reach out to 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

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.