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ABOUT THE LAND
This 3 acre parcel in Lake Country, BC is a small-scale farmer’s dream! There are currently three plots of 0.7 acres each available (sections 2-4 in the below aerial photo), all facing east toward the lake. The main 1.5 acre plot is currently leased out to a pair of successful market gardeners. A farmer would be welcome to rent just one plot, or all three depending on their project.
The soil is very fertile and easy to work (a sandy loam) and is very clean with no rocks. The irrigation system is set up across the four plots, with the ability to control the irrigation separately in each section. The water comes from the Central Okanagan Irrigation District and gives 20 gallons/minute. Each bed is 250 ft in length and the spacing between rows can be adjusted to fit the planting plan of a new farmer. The farmable area is fully perimeter fenced and gated with new (2020) eight-foot deer fencing. There is no power to the leased area currently, but it may be possible to run power from a nearby pole. There is a port-a-potty and hand wash station on site. Tool sheds, hoop houses, and other temporary infrastructure for farming are permitted.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The plots are available as a sublet from the current farmer. The landholders live on-site, but outside of the deer-fenced farming area. The main tenant farmer offers his equipment, support, and expertise to new farmers just starting out. He has all the necessary equipment for prepping beds, putting them to bed, and re-working the irrigation system. He is willing to offer these services included in the annual lease fee (outlined below). He is also a knowledgeable grower and would be happy to provide his horticultural expertise and support. He will also take responsibility for managing the automatic watering system and scheduling between growers.
Leases are offered on an annual basis to start with, and then there may be an opportunity to extend the leases and make them longer in future for the right candidate. The lease rate is $1,000 per parcel per season, with a reduction to $900 per parcel if one farmer were to lease all three sections (total 2.1 acres). Water levies and taxes are all included in these rates. Each parcel will also incur a $225 charge for comprehensive insurance coverage.
ABOUT THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The offer of turn-key plots with support from an experienced farmer doesn’t come around every day! This property is an excellent opportunity for a new farmer to start their market garden business, especially since there is room to expand on the property (if all plots aren’t rented at once). Candidates should have some experience farming and a sound business plan, to know how they will make it in a challenging sales environment and with potential climate stressors. However, all the tools to succeed are available at this plot, and with support from the B.C. Land Matching Program.
If you’re dreaming of finally starting your farm, don’t delay! This opportunity won’t stay around for long, and it would be perfect for a Spring 2024 start-date.
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 Okanagan Land Matcher, Pascale, at pascale@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, check out the UMAP Listing for this property.
To learn more about the BC Land Matching Program and other land opportunities, visit youngagrarians.org/tools/land.
The B.C. Land Matching Program is funded in the Okanagan-Thompson 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 the Real Estate Foundation of BC.