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
Located in Courtenay (Merville) on Vancouver Island, BC, Amara Farm was founded by Arzeena, Neil and their family in 2012. Originally from non-farming backgrounds, Arzeena and Neil studied agriculture in school to become the powerhouse farmers they are today. Their passion for food turned into a lifelong farming bug while they were urban farming in Richmond, BC. Today, their beautiful 26-acre certified organic farm boasts an abundance of organic vegetables, fruit, berries and nuts.
Arzeena and Neil founded Amara Farm with a vision of growing healthy food for their community and supporting new farmers like them throughout the Comox Valley and beyond. They are bringing that vision to life through Comox Valley Organics Cooperative, which they recently co-founded in collaboration with three other farms. The co-op sells organic produce at Comox Valley and Campbell River Farmers Markets, to restaurants and wholesalers, and direct-to-consumer through online orders.
Amara Farm has about four acres in production: two acres are in perennial crops and orchards, and the rest are in annual vegetables. Arzeena and Neil will continue to manage the perennials, and a few annual fields of potatoes and garlic. Beyond what they need, there are multiple available field plots and two 30′ x 70′ greenhouses available for lease – in total up to two acres for vegetable production! All fields have irrigation already set up, with year-round water supply from a pond. Size and location of the leased area(s) will be decided collaboratively based on the farmer’s experience and production plan.
The farm has turn-key infrastructure for market gardening, including complete deer and bear fencing, a walk-in cooler and a wash station. Incoming farmers will also have access to equipment, including a BCS walk-behind tractor, Jang seeder and flame weeder.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
ABOUT THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Amara Farm is seeking community-minded, organic growers to join them on the land! Ideal candidates will have previous farming experience and/or education through apprenticeships, internships, or farm jobs. They should also be able to demonstrate a good understanding of farm business operations including finances and crop planning. This is an excellent turn-key opportunity for an experienced market gardener who is serious about taking the next step. If you’re looking to launch your own farm business in a supportive community setting, get in touch 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 Vancouver Island Land Matcher, Kiyomi, at kiyomi@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 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.