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YA BUSINESS MENTORSHIP NETWORK – BFF FARM
“The most valuable piece of advice Paulette gave us was about setting realistic goals and taking things step by step. She helped us focus on small, achievable improvements, such as making our irrigation system more efficient and getting our preserving procedures in place. This grounded advice allowed us to build on each success rather than overwhelming ourselves with grand, unattainable goals.“
Young Agrarians is celebrating the twelfth year of the Business Mentorship Network (BMN) program in BC and the fourth year of the BMN in the Prairies! The BMN offers a year-long farm business mentorship to a diverse array of new and young farmers. Through one-on-one mentorship, peer networks, and online workshops, new farmers develop the skills necessary to operate ecologically sustainable and financially viable farm businesses.
Applications for Mentees across Canada are now open! Mentor applications are accepted year-round. Click below for more information and to apply.
Meet a mentee from the current cohort and learn about their farm and why they joined the Business Mentorship Network. Want more? Head over to our BMN Blog for more mentorship stories.
Meet Your BFFs at BFF Farm: Growing Food, Growing Community
Hello! We are Kim and Petar Barabas of BFF Farm, and we are excited to share our journey this year as part of the Young Agrarians Business Mentorship Program. Our wonderful mentor is Paulette Sparks of Wild Country Gardens. Both our farm and Paulette’s are located on the traditional lands of the Cree, Métis, and other Indigenous peoples, covered by Treaty 6. Our farm is situated just 15 minutes south of Westlock and 45 minutes northwest of Edmonton.
Our Goals for This Season
When we first joined the Business Mentorship Program, our goals were somewhat vague. We knew we wanted to improve the business side of our farm, but we didn’t have a clear plan in place. Once we connected with Tori, our YA representative, and our mentor Paulette, we were able to refine our goals and set more specific, measurable targets. Our primary objectives for the season were:
- Establishing procedures for preserving our harvest (e.g., jams and pickles).
- Improving our irrigation system and enhancing propagation methods.
What Went Well This Season?
There were several successes this season, particularly in areas where we set clear, focused goals:
- Preservation: We expanded our preservation options for customers, resulting in increased sales.
- Irrigation and Greenhouse: Our new irrigation system led to improved greenhouse production.
- Community Engagement: Participating in Alberta Open Farm Days was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our farm, connect with the community, and learn from our customers’ feedback. Visitors appreciated our commitment to land stewardship, water conservation, and sustainable farming practices.
What Didn’t Go as Expected?
Of course, not everything went according to plan:
- Propagation: While our propagation efforts started strong, we fell behind as the season got busier. This taught us the importance of planning propagation at the right time and being more diligent with our cuttings.
- Farmers’ Markets: We had hoped to attend two farmers’ markets but only participated in one. However, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Due to unexpected family health issues, attending only one market was the right decision. The market we did attend was a great fit, and we look forward to returning next year.
Customer Feedback
One of the best pieces of feedback we received came from a customer who visited during Alberta Open Farm Days. They expressed how much they appreciated the transparency in how we grow our produce and the effort we put into sustainability. This feedback reinforced the importance of our mission and gave us confidence in the direction we’re headed.
Hard Lessons Learned
There were two big lessons that really stood out this season:
- Marketing, marketing, marketing: We knew marketing was important, but we didn’t fully understand how essential it is to grow our presence and engage with our community. Social media is a critical tool that we need to expand our reach, as some customers have said, “We didn’t know you were so close!”
- Asking for help: We realized that no matter how much we love doing the work ourselves, it’s important to ask for help when we need it. This season showed us that growing the farm requires collaboration, and we’re now more open to finding support, whether through volunteers or professional help.
Victories, Big and Small
Despite the challenges, there were some wonderful victories:
- Alberta Open Farm Days was a huge success. It allowed us to connect with our community, share our values, and gain new customers.
- Community Support: We’ve been invited to more markets and events because local community members have appreciated the work we’ve put into the farm.
Most Valuable Advice from Our Mentor
The most valuable piece of advice Paulette gave us was about setting realistic goals and taking things step by step. She helped us focus on small, achievable improvements, such as making our irrigation system more efficient and getting our preserving procedures in place. This grounded advice allowed us to build on each success rather than overwhelming ourselves with grand, unattainable goals.
Refining Our Long-Term Direction
The BMN program helped us refine the long-term direction of our farm by forcing us to step back and clarify our vision. We now have a much clearer understanding of where we want to go in the future and the steps we need to take to get there. Next year, we plan to:
- Focus more on marketing and outreach to engage our community.
- Work on improving our propagation process and start earlier in the season.
- Attend more farmers’ markets as we continue to grow our brand.
Looking Ahead to Winter
This winter, we’re most excited to start planning for a new project: a tree nursery. Trees have always been important to us, not only for the shade and shelter they provide but also for their contribution to a balanced, healthy ecosystem. We’re excited to grow this project and offer more to our community in the years to come.
Where to Find Us Online
You can learn more about our farm and stay updated on our activities by visiting our website at bfffarm.ca. Follow us on social media at:
We’re incredibly grateful for the support from Paulette, Tori, and the Young Agrarians community. This program has been a game-changer for us, and we’re excited to continue our journey as farmers with the knowledge and insights we’ve gained. Thank you!