LAND OPPORTUNITY: Turn-Key Market Garden Opportunity in Northwest BC

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

Since 2009 WoodGrain Farm has been a cornerstone organic vegetable grower for the Hazelton and Smithers Farmers’ Markets in northwest BC.  In 2020 we formed the WoodGrain Farmer Co-op with our two farmhands as they took on the lead farmer rolls in the market garden business, as we stepped back into supporting roles as our focus shifted to other farm activities including but not limited to seed production, livestock, maintenance and construction.  This was a successful model for the past two seasons as it allowed the main farmers to concentrate on growing and harvesting food, while retaining our support and 10 years experience on crop planning, marketing, infrastructure maintenance and the business end of things.  Most importantly, it allowed us to keep producing vegetables for our community and avoid market gardener burnout.

This season, our co-op partners have moved on to new adventures so we have an opportunity for experienced growers to join us and take the helm of our market garden operation and keep providing for our established market and retail establishments.  While we are happy to maintain a supporting role in the co-op, our time and energies are limited so you must already have experience working on a market garden.  What we are offering for the right people is a ‘turn-key operation’: improved and well maintained garden space, tunnels, tools & equipment, wash & pack station, market van, organic certification, and an established customer base. 

The scale of the operation is also adaptable to the experience and motivation of the growers, we presently grow for two weekly markets, a 45 member CSA, and retail, but that can be scaled back if that is more than what you are looking to get into (the smaller of the two markets and a focus on farm pick-up CSA and retail for instance). The amount of support we will contribute is negotiable and depends on your needs and experience. Our focus this year is on growing garlic and seed crops – and getting off the farm once in a while!

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

There are options for on-farm accommodation, either for free in a bring-your-own trailer or tiny home, or we can discuss renting our comfy, self-contained A-frame guest house on a knoll overlooking the farm.  Near the end of a gravel road, the farm is incredibly quiet with endless trails and wilderness out the back door. There are two large high tunnels, one small tunnel and a propagation area, as well as 1 acre of cultivated, nutrient rich growing area. We are largely self-sufficient year-round in vegetables, grain, meat and dairy on the farm.  We strive to find a healthy balance between farm-steading as both a way of life and as a livelihood, and this potential long-term opportunity would be best suited to those with a similar focus.  

Read more about our farm and community here in The BC Organic Grower, and find lots of pictures at our website.

GET IN TOUCH!

This land opportunity is available through the B.C. Land Matching Program. If you are interested in this land opportunity or looking for support developing a lease agreement, please contact Andrew@youngagrarians.org.

For more land opportunities, and to learn about the B.C. Land Matching program, please visit youngagrarians.org/land.

The B.C. Land Matching Program is funded in Central and Northern B.C. by the Province of British Columbia, with support from the Real Estate Foundation of B.C.