FILLED – LAND OPPORTUNITY: Turn-key Free-Range Egg Farm – Salt Spring Island, 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

Nestled in the peaceful Fulford Valley of Salt Spring Island, this 84-acre farm is home to chickens, cattle, a couple of horses, orchards, gardens, and a natural cemetery, alongside two human families. Most of the land is forested, or in pasture/hay fields for the herd of (oreo-coloured) Belted Galloway Cattle the farm also breeds and raises.

The landholders are committed to encouraging the biodiversity of the land through nourishing native plants, animals and landforms. They strive to steward a sustainable, ecologically-conscious farm.

A flock of 300 hens are housed in 3 to 4 hoop-house barns, with free-range access to outdoor runs. They have year-round access to either fresh grass or hay harvested right on the farm. The hens are raised on site, arriving as day-old chicks!

All infrastructure required for the free-range egg operation is in place including: the barns and accessaries, egg washing and packing stations, office, shop, equipment, and a popular farmstand.

“Our layer birds produce the best eggs on Salt Spring Island. And that’s not just our opinion! It’s widely held on the island; we can’t seem to keep our farmstand stocked, customers just love our eggs!”

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Are you a hard-working person who is committed to animal care and ecological farming? Here is an opportunity for you!

This well-established free-range egg operation is fully set-up and comes with an offer of mentorship to learn the ins and outs of running a successful egg business. The new farmer(s) will work in partnership with the landholders to share the land, farm, and operation costs.

The current operation, with 300 hens, takes only 1-2 hours of work per day (7 days a week!) to manage, with a few additional hours per week to wash and package the eggs. The flock can be increased up to 499 hens, without any additional infrastructure, if and when the new farmer(s) wishes to do so.

The opportunity includes an inspected kitchen for producing value-added products, and a lot of room to set up side businesses. The other operations on the farm (cattle, haying, etc.) may also be up for discussion for the right person.

The farmer(s) can bring their own RV or tiny home to live on the land. This is encouraged, as the hens require a dedicated caretaker at all times.

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 by the Province of British Columbia, with support from Cowichan Valley Regional District and the Real Estate Foundation of B.C.