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 farmland is on a 28 acre ALR property in North Courtenay (Merville) in the Comox Valley of Vancouver Island. Approximately 10 acres have been newly developed by the current landholders – flattened, de-rocked, and mowed. Depending on the production type, the field may need additional levelling, rock-picking, and plowing. There is potential for expansion up to 20 acres.
Approximately 6-7 acres, not included in the offered acres, have just been seeded in hay for the first time. The landholders plan to farm this portion of the land, though it could be available for lease if the new farmer has capacity to manage it.
The property is perimeter-fenced, and the field is currently accessible by 4×4 trucks and tractors via the main driveway. Another access road from the back of the field is in future plans. There are no existing buildings, but the landholder is open to adding infrastructure in collaboration with the farmer(s).
The field has excellent soil conditions with ideal sunlight from southern exposure. Water should be plentiful, from a well and an irrigation pond. Under severe drought conditions (Summer 2023), there are green patches of grass throughout the field, without any irrigation.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The landholders are looking to lease out the un-utilized space for farming, and are open to most types of farming – primarily field crops (e.g. corn, potatoes, grain), livestock grazing, or forage production to fully utilize the 10+ acres. But, developing a smaller area (e.g. 1-2 acre) for a market garden can also be discussed.
There is no housing available on the farm. If the farmer needs temporary housing, there are RV pads with full hook-ups on the property – it cannot be a full-time living option, though.
This opportunity is open to both an established farmer, or a new farmer with some previous experience, who can demonstrate their ability to farm this land.
GET IN TOUCH
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 start a conversation and learn about next steps.
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.
I would like to know if you are ensuring properties listed as having water available have valid licenses, which are legally required by the Water Sustainability Act since 2016 for commercial farming operations?
Hi Haley,
Thanks for your message. We do provide information about water licenses and the Water Sustainability Act. If a property does not have one, they may still participate and apply once they have found a farmer, as you cannot apply for a license without having the volume and farm use identified.
We encourage farmers to do due diligence for all properties, whether through the BC Land Matching Program or outside of it, to ensure that all of the property meets the farmer’s requirements.
Best,
JoHana