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SEP 10, 2023: COURTENAY, BC – Farm Tour at Amara Farm

Posted on August 11, 2023

You’re invited to a Farm Tour at Amara Farm in Courtenay, B.C. If you’re curious about what land matching and sharing is all about – or just want to check out what your local farmers are up to – join us for the event. Come out to connect with other farmers and food lovers, share a meal, and tour this powerhouse farm!

We’ll enjoy a farm tour from farmer-landholders Arzeena and Neil at Amara Farm, as well as a tour and introduction from leasing farmer Natasha who runs Minwaadizi Farm. Natasha and Arzeena were matched in 2022 through the B.C. Land Matching Program (BCLMP). We will hear about their farm start-up processes, ongoing collaborations, and the steps to building a successful land sharing relationship. As we tour Amara farm and learn about Arzeena and Neil’s veggies, fruits, and nuts, Arzeena will share her experiences and expertise with growing crops without irrigation and/or putting in dugouts. She and Natasha will also offer perspectives on the marketing cooperative they founded this year with two other farmers. Young Agrarians’ Co-op Coordinator, Emi Do, will also be at the event to chat with anyone who wants to learn more about co-ops. The day will wrap up with a shared potluck meal and informal time to socialize.

Farm tours connect farmers and farmland holders, and set them up to receive ongoing support through the B.C. Land Matching Program. Your regional Land Matcher will share information about how they can help you find a farmer for your land – or farmland where you can build your dream farm business. Both farmers seeking land and farmland holders thinking about sharing land are encouraged to attend – as well as anyone who loves food, farming, and getting out onto the land.

We can’t wait to see you there!

DATE: Sunday, September 10, 2023 • 3pm-7pm

LOCATION: Traditional Territory of the K’ómoks First Nation. 2641 Kirby Rd, Courtenay, BC V9J 1T3

DIRECTIONS/PARKING: Amara Farm is located about 400m down Kirby road, on the left. The gate will be open when you arrive, so please drive through and park anywhere on the grass. Please do not bring dogs to the event. Kids are welcome! More information below.

REGISTER: So that we can plan for the tour and potluck, please register on Eventbrite.

SCHEDULE (times are approximate): 

3:00 – 4:00 Farm Tours

4:00-5:00 Intro Circle

5:00-7:00 Potluck Social

BRING: Please bring a dish to share potluck-style! Bring your own plate, cutlery, and cup for snacks/refreshments. Please include a little card with ingredients if you can for folks with food sensitivities. There will be a wash station available to clean plates, so please plan accordingly. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on (some seating will be provided), and weather and farm-appropriate clothing and footwear.

CARPOOL INFO: If you are looking for or can offer a ride to or from the event, please post in the Facebook event discussion to connect with others.

SHARE: Planning on joining us? Invite your friends and share the Facebook Event.

Natasha of Minwaadizi Farm

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

  • This event is free and open to everyone!
  • Children are welcome but please leave furry friends at home
  • Please stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms
  • Please wash your shoes before visiting the farm, especially if you work on or have visited a farm recently
  • Please do not bring alcohol to this event
  • Not sure what to bring to the potluck? Consider supporting your local, organic farmer and/or food producer and find inspiration from their ingredients
  • Wasp season is at its peak right now, so please take care and bring anything you need to protect yourself

ABOUT AMARA FARM

Amara Farm is located in Courtenay, BC, and was started by Arzeena and Neil in 2012. Not originally from 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. Now, they own the beautiful 26 acre Amara Farm, a certified organic farm which boasts organic vegetables, fruit, and nuts (hazelnuts in just this year!). 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. Amara Farm is supported by a farm manager and an awesome crew, and is dedicated to positive community engagement. The team grows and sells throughout the year, with some down time in the cooler winter months. Amara Farm sells to the Comox Valley Farmers Market, maintains a 60 share CSA, and sells to restaurants and wholesalers. Arzeena and Neil can’t wait to share more about their journey, show you their farm, and introduce you to their leasing farmer, Natasha, who runs Minwaadizi farm up the road.

Check out AMARA FARM online:

Facebook: Amara Farm

Instagram: @amara_farm

Website: https://www.amarafarm.ca/

Stay in Touch

UPCOMING VANCOUVER ISLAND EVENTS

Not able to join us for this event? Fear not! Save the date:

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2023
LAND LINKING WORKSHOP – COWICHAN

If you are interested in hosting an event at your farm and bringing together the farming community in your area, please reach out to bclmp@youngagrarians.org with your idea!

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 284 matches on over 11,300 acres to date! The Vancouver Island B.C. Land Matcher will be attending the event to answer any questions the B.C. Land Matching Program, and our Co-op Coordinator, Emi Do, will be available to talk all things cooperative. For those unable to join us, you can send a message to kiyomi@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 and the Real Estate Foundation of BC.

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