LAND OPPORTUNITY: Established farm for organic mixed production – Chemainus, BC

We always have new land opportunities coming into our inventory, some of which aren’t on our blog yet! Get in touch with a Land Matcher at bclmp@youngagrarians.org to learn about the latest opportunities and to access free B.C. Land Matching Program services in your region.

ABOUT THE LAND

This beautiful 16-acre property in Chemainus has about two acres of cultivable land and eight acres of wooded area available for a variety of production types! Half of the property is old growth forest, and a spring-fed creek runs through the land, along with a seasonal creek that dries in the summer.

In the past, the land has been used for market gardening, growing medicinal herbs, and grazing livestock. The growing area is low-lying and fertile, with good agronomic potential, due in part to the landholder’s decades of efforts farming organically and amending the soil at this site. Additionally, there is a cross-fenced paddock where sheep were previously kept, as well as a small chicken coop and run. The property also features an original apple and pear orchard and a new mixed fruit and nut orchard, as well as a blueberry enclosure.

The landholder (who lives on-site) is stepping away from commercial production, and would love for a new farmer to take over the growing space and enjoy all that the farm has to offer. There is currently some overgrowth that will need to be cleared away to prepare this part of the land for production. In the meantime, the landholder will continue to maintain a smaller, fenced garden with raised beds and perennials, though this area may also become available to the incoming farmer(s) in time. Water is available from a well on the property, and a water license is already in place.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

This flexible opportunity is open to a variety of production types: organic vegetables, poultry, sheep, flowers, bees… and much more! Incoming farmer(s) could also make use of the existing fruit and nut orchards.

In addition to the growing area and paddock, there is also a barn, shop, and a couple greenhouses that could be available for the farmer’s use (the landholder is open to discussion). Farm machinery and tools may also be available for shared use. As of now, there is no on-site housing available, but potential for accommodations could also be discussed. The landholder has been farming on this property for over 20 years and would be happy to share their knowledge to help farmers get established!

ABOUT THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

This is an excellent opportunity for a young farmer or couple who would value developing their growing skills in a semi-turnkey environment. The opportunity is open to many production types, provided the incoming farmer(s) are interested in farming organically.

Given that there may be multiple farmers operating and/or living on the property, this opportunity would be well-suited to those who enjoy sharing space and working alongside others. The ideal candidate would be community-minded and co-operative in nature.

If you’re looking for land for farming in Chemainus, get in touch to learn more about this opportunity!

GET IN TOUCH!

This land is available through the B.C. Land Matching Program. If you are interested in this land opportunity, please contact the Vancouver Island Land Matcher, Ari Westhaver, at ari@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

For more details about this opportunity, check out the UMAP Listing for this property.

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 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.