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I am looking for four individuals to join us in creating a regenerative farming operation. Five of us, working as equal partners, will develop a multi-enterprise farm focused on profitability, sustainability, and quality of life.
ABOUT
In the past, I owned and operated a diverse farm in British Columbia that included several enterprises. I managed a 200-head commercial dairy goat operation shipping fluid milk and selling breeding stock across Canada. A flock of approximately 150 ewes for lamb production, and a thriving compost business. I also operated a small-scale poultry enterprise, raising both laying hens and some broilers. We produced our own hay to feed the livestock and I have farmed for a total of 25 years.
Now relocating to Nova Scotia, my goal is to build a team-run regenerative farm alongside other committed partners. The new operation will be diversified, but the specific enterprises, farm layout, and equipment investments will be determined collaboratively by the partnership. The vision is to create a regenerative, profitable, and resilient multi-enterprise farm designed and operated as a team.
Our farm will operate under a regenerative agriculture philosophy, guided by ecological principles and long-term land stewardship. We will follow a diversified regenerative production model that incorporates elements of permaculture design, chemical-free growing practices, and holistic planned grazing.
Our approach emphasizes working with natural cycles, improving soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and creating resilient, nutrient-dense food systems. While we may pursue certifications in the future depending on the team’s direction, our core commitment is to farm in a way that regenerates the land, supports community well-being, and aligns with nature’s rhythms.
What We’re Building: A collaborative farm where each partner holds 20% ownership of all assets—land, livestock, machinery, and tools.
Who We’re Looking For – Partners who can bring:
- Some hands-on farming experience
- Some financial investment
- A collaborative mindset and fresh ideas
- A commitment to building a profitable, enjoyable, and resilient farm business
Each farmer brings unique skills, ideas, and perspectives. Working collaboratively allows the team to innovate and adapt to changing markets and farming practices in ways that a single farmer could not achieve alone.
Why a Farming Team of 5 Farmers?
Building a farming team of five farmers is a strategic approach to creating a sustainable, resilient, and future-oriented farm business. Agriculture in Nova Scotia, and Canada more broadly, is at a turning point: small to medium diversified farms are disappearing, land prices are rising, and the average age of farmers is over 60. Traditional models—single-family farms passed down through generations—are increasingly unsustainable in today’s economic and social climate.
A team-based approach addresses these challenges in several ways:
- Shared Responsibility and Sustainability for Farmers: Farming is physically and mentally demanding. By working as a team, responsibilities, risks, and workload are shared, preventing burnout and ensuring a higher quality of life for each farmer. This approach is more sustainable than expecting one person to manage all aspects of a diversified farm alone.
- Adaptation to Economic Realities: Land and input costs continue to rise, and small farms operating independently often run at a deficit. By pooling resources and expertise, a team of farmers can operate more efficiently and profitably while still maintaining diversified, regenerative practices.
- Flexibility and Resilience: If one team member leaves, the structure allows for a simple buyout of 5% of the farm by the remaining farmers, and a new farmer can be added without destabilizing the operation. This flexibility ensures the farm can continue to thrive even as team membership changes.
- Shared Knowledge and Expertise: Each farmer brings unique skills, ideas, and perspectives. Working collaboratively allows the team to innovate and adapt to changing markets and farming practices in ways that a single farmer could not achieve alone.
- Future-Focused Farming: The farm is built not just to survive but to thrive in the modern agricultural landscape. By combining strengths and sharing resources, the team can invest in regenerative practices, sustainable diversification, and innovative strategies that secure the farm’s long-term viability.
In short, a five-farmer team provides balance, resilience, and opportunity. It is a practical and forward-thinking solution to the challenges facing modern agriculture, ensuring that the farm can operate sustainably while supporting the well-being and success of each farmer involved.
If you’re passionate about farming, teamwork, and building something meaningful from the ground up, let’s connect.
DETAILS
Term: Flexible, aligned with team formation (winter/spring). Long-term/permanent partnership.
Exit option: Yes—clear exit strategy for any partner.
Structure: Shared responsibility, not an employer–employee arrangement.
Time off: A priority—we will design a system that ensures all partners can take time away when needed.
Hours per week: Flexible and self-directed, based on team agreements. That being said, hours would be ideally an average of 30-35 hours per week.
Wage: This is not a wage-based position. However, the farm would be made sizeable enough with diversified income streams to plan for a $50-$70,000 yearly gross income after the farm was planned and set up to function. This is a permanent partnership opportunity, not a short-term position. The goal is to build a long-term, team-run regenerative farm with shared ownership among five partners. We are assembling the team over the winter, and the official start date will be flexible depending on when the full team is formed. This will be a co-ownership model, where income is generated through shared farm profits. Long-term income will be generated by the jointly operated farm.
Each partner will participate in designing the farm plan, securing land, and establishing the initial enterprises together. We will also put a formal exit strategy in place so that anyone who needs to leave the partnership in the future can do so in a structured and fair way.
Our goal is to create a flexible, collaborative schedule that supports work-life balance and allows for adequate time off, including travel. As a team, we will openly discuss expectations, division of responsibilities, and seasonal workloads so that everyone is supported.
Perks: Shared infrastructure/assets, shared labour, reduced individual start-up costs, better work-life balance, and long-term equity
TO APPLY
Because this is a partnership opportunity rather than a job, applicants should provide information that helps us understand their experience, goals, and ability to participate as an equal team member. Applicants should submit:
- A brief farming résumé outlining any agricultural experience (formal or informal)
- A short written statement explaining:
- Why they want to farm as part of a team-based partnership
- Their long-term goals in regenerative agriculture
- Why this model appeals to them
- Details about their current living situation (local or willing to relocate)
- Confirmation of their ability to contribute upfront capital toward shared assets
- What enterprises they have farmed or worked with in the past
- Any unique skills or strengths they would bring to the partnership (e.g., livestock management, gardening, carpentry, mechanics, business management, marketing, etc.)
Please email this information to barrievoth@gmail.com