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
The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) has now opened applications for small farm plots at the sncəcmałqtn Agricultural Park, with Young Agrarians helping to facilitate applications from interested farmers!
This beautiful property has been transformed from privately-owned land into a community farm and land-sharing project. A key mission of the park is to “recognize the need for food security and climate-resilient crops in the face of climate change… [by providing] prime agricultural land, community resources, and a supportive environment (RDNO, 2024).” Additional information about the project can be found on the RDNO website.
The property, previously known as the “BX Ranchlands,” has been newly named the sncəcmałqtn Agricultural Park in consultation with the Okanagan Indian Band, to honour the Syilx Territory it is part of. sncəcmałqtn translates to “place of small crops or garden”. For a pronunciation guide, please listen to this audio recording.
The property has been separated into smaller plots that have been made available for license to community members. The plots range in size from a quarter-acre, one acre, to negotiable larger sizes for established farmers interested in larger-scale production.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
These plots would be suitable for vegetables, berries, flowers and some small livestock. At this time, the plots cannot accommodate tree fruits, grapes or pigs.
Water access will be included in the licence fee of the plots. Each plot has access to an underground irrigation spout; the quarter-acre and one-acre lots have a one-inch pipe input and the larger plots have a two-inch pipe input. The water is clean drinking water that adheres to FoodSafe guidelines. Each plot also has direct road access from the entrance of the park with enough space to drive a truck or small tractor.
The plots are currently separated by wooden fence posts marking each corner, and any additional fencing will need to be installed by the incoming farmer for their individual plot. The RDNO requests that any temporary or permanent installations made by incoming farmers – including fencing, storage structures, wash stations, etc. – are well-maintained.
The plots are currently fallow, but the soil has agronomic potential and the site has historically been used for agriculture. A key requirement for this property is that all incoming farmers must adhere to a no-spray operation. Since farmers will be working in close proximity to other farmers’ produce, it is important to be mindful of any practices that will affect neighbouring operations.
ABOUT THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate for these plots will be respectful of other farmers’ space and the community at large, as there will be some public access to the farming areas. There is a public bike and horse riding trail that runs alongside the plots, but dogs will not be permitted.
The RNDO will provide general site maintenance to all common areas, while farmers will be responsible for keeping their plot and the immediate surrounding area clean, organized and in good condition. Incoming farmers will also be responsible for purchasing or providing any seeds, seedlings, plants and equipment that they require. So, the ideal candidate will be prepared to bring what they need to run a well-maintained farm operation.
If you are interested in starting your farming venture or looking to expand an established farming business, don’t hesitate to reach out now!
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, Haley, at haley@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.