LAND FORUM NOV 9-19, 2020 – ONLINE!

Every fall, our land matchers look forward to our Land Linking Workshops, where we gather land seekers and landholders to network and talk land access. While we’re not meeting in person this year, we’re excited to offer our first annual online Land Forum! 

WHEN: November 9 -19th, 2020 

WHERE: Online on unceded Indigenous territories across what is today known as B.C. Join us from the comfort of your couch, office, tractor, compost heap – wherever you find yourself able to tune in!

RSVP: Register for the Land Forum and you’ll get access to links for all the webinars. Register for just one stream, or register for both to come on the full land access journey with us. *NAVIGATING FARM TRANSITION – SUCCESSION CAFE in collaboration with Quivira Coalition on Nov 12 requires separate registration.

QUESTIONS: alex@youngagrarians.org  |  1-855-561-4633

The Land Forum will cover everything from leasing basics, to how to transition land and farm businesses to the next generation. There’s something for everyone, from exploring what goes into building a strong land sharing relationship, to how to make a private mortgage happen, to farming in co-operatives and land trusts. You’ll hear from Land Matchers as well as farmers in your community. We’ll also be hosting regional networking sessions for land seekers and landholders. Check out our line up of webinars:

Workshop Descriptions

NON-FAMILY FARM TRANSITION WORKSHOPS

NOV 9 | 7-8:30PM: NON-FAMILY TRANSITION 101

This fall, Young Agrarians is launching the B.C. Transition Toolkit for Non-Family Farm Transfer. This webinar will introduce you to concepts and tools from the toolkit to apply to your own alternative farm transition through a six-stage process, from setting your vision, to identifying models and assessing feasibility, to identifying what resources you need. This webinar, as an introduction to the toolkit, provides both current and entering farmers with a framework for understanding non-family transition, along with information and considerations about different possible models. This project grew from the stories we’ve heard from seasoned farmers struggling to see a way to pass their farm on to the next generation. Stay tuned for panels through the rest of the week to hear real-world examples of farmers who are making the transition happen in a very complex regulatory environment. 

NOV 10 | 7-8PM PANEL: TRANSITION VIA LAND TRUST & CO-OP with LOHBRUNNER FARM

It’s easy to say that farmland should be preserved for future generations – and a whole other thing to make that happen! This panel discussion will highlight how land trusts, co-operatives, and community support come together to protect farmland while creating opportunities for the next generation. Hear from Ariella Falkowski and Scott Harris of Lohbrunner Farms, a co-operative land trust farm, and community farms facilitator Heather Pritchard on navigating the complex regulations and relationships that go into land trusts and farm co-operatives.

Panelists: Ariella Falkowski, Sweet Acres Farm, , Scott Harris, Lohbrunner Farm Co-operative, Heather Pritchard, Foodlands Co-operative of BC. Facilitated by Vancouver Island Land Matcher Azja Jones Martin 

NOV 11 | 7-8PM PANEL: CREATIVE FINANCING with CLAREMONT RANCH

Qualifying for a mortgage to purchase land for farming through a traditional lending institution can be daunting. This panel discussion will highlight creative financing solutions to enable farmers and farmland owners to transfer land from one generation to the next. Hear from Bob McCoubrey, who was determined to find a way to transition his land and organic orchard to the next generation, and Molly Thurston, who was able to buy the land with the help of a vendor-take back mortgage.

Panelists: Bob McCoubrey, Molly Thurston. Facilitated by Okanagan Land Matcher Tessa Wetherill

NOV 12 | 1-3PM NAVIGATING FARM TRANSITION – SUCCESSION CAFE in partnership with QUIVIRA COALITION ($10)

How we steward the transition of farmland and businesses from one generation to the next is going to have a major impact on the future of agriculture and food systems. Join us for a participatory workshop to share and learn about the opportunities and challenges of farm transition. Our facilitated conversation will explore the process of transition, the skills needed for a successful transition, and the exchanges that will build a strong foundation. This workshop is open to current and future farmers thinking about or already involved in either family or non-family farm transition. Facilitated by YA Prairies Program Manager Dana Penrice

This webinar requires separate registration. Register here: https://quiviracoalition.org/regenerate-3/register/

NOV 12 | 7-8 PM: CO-OWNING FARMLAND with LOVENA HARVEY

With the high cost of land in B.C., purchasing land with others can be a feasible pathway to owning land. This webinar will dive into the considerations for co-ownership – from the technical to the relational – with Lovena Harvey of Gathering Place Trading, Cortes Island, B.C. Lovena and her family was one of four families who purchased 22 acres on Cortes Island together and launched into a co-owning relationship that has spanned 14 years and continues successfully today. From raising children and homeschooling them, to co-owning livestock and community gardens and orchards, we have experienced the gamut of community living. There have been many trials and unexpected set backs as well as joys, births and deaths.

Lovena is Co-founder of Gathering Place Trading which she has grown over the last 17 years as her children have grown, all the while living in community and homesteading a beautiful piece of paradise on Cortes Island.

LAND LEASING WORKSHOPS

NOV 16 | 7-8:45PM: LAND LEASING 101 & REGIONAL NETWORKING

Got Land? Want Land? This webinar offers an overview of the supports available to farmers and farmland holders through the B.C. Land Matching Program. This webinar is applicable to farmers of all production types and sizes looking to start or grow their farm business on leased land, and farmland holders who are interested in making their land available for agriculture. It includes information on leasing, legal considerations, and how to build and maintain stable land agreements that are mutually beneficial. A 1-hour info session by BCLMP Program Manager Darcy Smith (with time for questions!) will be followed by 45-minute regional networking sessions, where Land Matchers will host breakout rooms for land seekers and landholders to connect, Land Link-style! The breakout networking is a great opportunity to share your land needs and opportunities, build community (even through a computer!), and virtually meet your regional Land Matcher.

NOV 17 | 7-8PM PANEL: PERSPECTIVES ON SHARING FARMLAND

Thinking about leasing out your land, or launching a farm business? There’s no one better to learn from than someone who’s already doing it! This panel discussion will feature farmers and landholders matched through the BC Land Matching Program sharing their experiences leasing land – highlights, lessons learned, and advice for you.

Panelists: Yuko Suda, Brave Child Farm, Surrey BC, Digable Roots Farm, Cowichan Valley BC, Pravin Dhaliwal, Summerland BC

NOV 19 | 7-8PM: LEGAL LITERACY 101

Build your understanding of the legal ins and outs of leasing land with Priyan Samarakoone. Priyan supports farm lease development through the B.C. Land Matching Program. Hear his FAQs and top tips for navigating a lease negotiation.

Thank you to everyone who is sharing their expertise and stories with us for this Land Forum! We can’t wait to connect with you online across B.C.!

The B.C. Land Matching Program is funded by the Province of British Columbia, with support from the Real Estate Foundation of B.C., Columbia Basin Trust, and Patagonia.