You’re invited to a Farm Tour and Potluck at Medley Organics in Summerland, BC! 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 delicious potluck meal and learn about mixed vegetable production.
We’ll enjoy a farm tour from leasing farmer Jerome Gagne, who is the owner and operator of Medley Organics. In 2019, Jerome was matched to ten acres of land on a long-term lease through the B.C. Land Matching Program (BCLMP). Jerome will talk about the challenges of new farm start-up, his extensive experience with leasing land and how to develop your niche business market. He’ll also discuss how to ‘lease-proof’ your farm, and show off his unique barn that can be deconstructed and moved!
There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions about land sharing, mixed vegetable production and farm start-up. If you are a new or experienced farmer who wants to learn more about farming on leased land, we hope to see you there. The day will wrap up with a potluck and informal time to socialize with other farmers and farm-curious folks.
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 8, 2024 • 4pm-7pm
LOCATION: Syilx Territory. 11809 Doherty Avenue, Summerland, BC, Canada.
DIRECTIONS/PARKING: The farm is located on Doherty Avenue off of Prairie Valley Rd in Summerland. There is parking available on the farm – you will be directed by a YA staff person once you arrive. Please do not bring pets 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):
4:00 Arrival
4:00 – 4:30 Introduction Circle
4:30 – 6:00 Farm Tour
6:00 – 7:00 Potluck Social and Q&A
BRING: You are invited to bring a food item to contribute to the potluck dinner. If you can, please include a little card with ingredients for folks with food sensitivities. There is a cooler that can be used to keep the food fresh prior to dinner, but no cooking elements, so please bring fully prepared dishes only.
Please bring your own plate, cutlery and cup to enjoy the meal. There is no kitchen available to clean plates, so please plan on packing your items back home. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on, and weather and farm-suitable clothing and footwear.
CARPOOL INFO: If you are looking for or can offer a ride to or from the event, you can organize carpooling through the Facebook event.
ACCESSIBILITY: If you have any accessibility needs, please get in touch with us at bclmp@youngagrarians.org
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
- Please bring any sunscreen and insect repellant you might need
ABOUT MEDLEY ORGANICS
Owned and operated by Jerome Gagne, Medley Organics is a certified organic mixed vegetable farm in Summerland, BC. For the past ten years, Jerome has been growing a wide variety of vegetables for the Penticton farmers’ market and some of the great restaurants of the region. Jerome has plans to expand his production to perennial crops and build more greenhouses over the course of his 25 year lease.
Stay in Touch
- Join our Young Agrarians Okanagan – Thompson Facebook group to stay up to date with all events in the region
- Sign up for our e-newsletter to get events and opportunities for your region delivered straight to your inbox
- We welcome cancellations at any time – you can do so through Eventbrite, through the link in your registration confirmation email, or by contacting bclmp@youngagrarians.org. Please let us know if you aren’t able to attend
- Questions? Email Dani at bclmp@youngagrarians.org
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 339 matches on over 12,301 acres to date!
Are you on the Young Agrarians UMAP? List your land or future farm dream today! You just might find a farmer who can turn your vacant field into a productive farm, or a landholder who has the ideal piece of land for you!
For more info about our land access resources, visit the YA Land page!
The B.C. Land Matching Program is funded in the Okanagan-Thompson by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative, with additional support from the Real Estate Foundation of B.C.