You’re invited to a socially-distanced outdoor Land Social at Pendleton Farm in Courtenay, BC! If you’re curious about what land matching and sharing is all about, join us for the event.
Be inspired and learn about the incredible farming that can be done on leased land! Sarah started Pendleton Farm in the fall of 2019, and has been busy producing mixed vegetables for her own CSA program, the Cumberland farmers’ market, the Comox Bay Farmstand, and local restaurants ever since.
We will tour the farm, enjoy a catered meal, and take a dive into the steps to building a successful farm on leased land. We will explore what farming on leased land is like and learn about how the B.C. Land Matching Program can help you find the perfect piece of land for you to build your dream farm business – or the perfect farmer for your land. Your regional Land Matcher will share information and answer questions about land matching and how leasing land works. Both farmers seeking land and farmland holders thinking about leasing land are encouraged to attend – as well as anyone who loves food, farming, and getting out onto the land!
DATE: Saturday, August 29, 2020 • 12-2pm
LOCATION: K’ómoks First Nation traditional territory. 6481 North Island Highway, Courtenay, BC. Enter through the gate on the driveway off North Island Highway. It’s a fast moving road, so be sure to slow down to see it! Look for an event sign at the road.
REGISTER: Due to COVID-19, we require registration for our events so we can limit the number of attendees to allow for physical distancing. Please register here to reserve your spot.
SCHEDULE (times are approximate):
1:30-2 Lunch & Networking
BRING: Please bring a chair or blanket to sit on. A catered lunch will be provided, but if you’d prefer you can bring your own meal instead. There will not be any wash stations for dishes available. Optional: face mask.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
- Please do not attend if you have any symptoms of illness, or have been in contact with any confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients. We welcome cancellations at any time, you can do so through eventbrite or by contacting azja@youngagrarians.org
- Please follow physical distancing guidelines and keep 6 feet apart from other people. No handshakes or hugs please!
- Masks are not required, but bring one to wear if you’d like.
- We will have a hand sanitizer station for your use throughout the event. Please refrain from touching tools, pets and livestock, and door handles etc. on the farm.
- If provincial health guidelines for events change, we may cancel the event and you will be notified by email.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- This event is free and open to everyone! Children are welcome but please leave furry friends at home.
- A washroom will be available in a residence on farm if needed.
- There is parking space in the roundabout driveway in front of the house, and please carpool if possible!
- Join our Young Agrarians Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands Facebook Group to stay up to date with all events and to connect with your local YA farming community
- Sign up for our e-newsletter to get events and opportunities for your region delivered straight to your inbox.
SHARE: Planning on joining us? Invite your friends and share the Facebook event!
ABOUT PENDLETON FARM
The name ‘Pendleton’ originates from the cove that Sarah (farmer) and her family grew up in. It was located in a remote coastal community in central BC, and the region was notoriously overcast. Despite the rather minimal amount of sunshine, Sarah has many amazing memories of living in the area with her family, and struggling to grow vegetables on the water.
Now on land, Pendleton Farm is a small scale, mixed vegetable operation located in Merville, on land leased through Baobab Farm.
The overarching mission of the farm is to increase soil health and the biodiversity of the land, while providing high quality, local produce to the Comox Valley. Sarah is currently working towards organic certification, and moving towards a minimal soil disturbance (no-till) system to keep the soil ecosystem as lively as possible. All planting, cultivation, and harvesting is done by hand.
Sarah currently has 1.5 acres in rotational vegetable production. The farm has begun planting a variety of mixed fruit trees to accompany the established apples already on the property. An acre of hazelnuts will be planted this fall.
Check out Pendleton Farm online:
Website: https://www.pendletonfarm.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pendletonfarmcomox
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pendleton_farm/
UPCOMING VANCOUVER ISLAND EVENTS
Not able to join us for this event? Fear not! Here’s a quick look at the dates and places we’ll be visiting this season.
Sunday, August 23
Land Social at Digable Roots, Duncan
Land Social at The RE Farm, Nanaimo
GOT LAND? WANT LAND?
Through the B.C. Land Matching Program, Young Agrarians offers support to farmers looking for land for their farm business, and landholders looking for farmers to farm their land. We’ve made more than 78 matches on over 4,600 acres to date! The Vancouver Island Land Matcher will be attending the event to answer any questions about accessing or offering land through this program. For those unable to join us, you can send a message to azja@youngagrarians.org for more information.
The B.C. Land Matching Program is funded on Vancouver Island by the Province of British Columbia, with support from Cowichan Valley Regional District, the Real Estate Foundation of B.C., and Patagonia.