Tag Archives: Farm Business Management

Business Mentorship Network – Rachael & Dane, Paradise Valley Produce

Posted by Kristen Nammour on April 11, 2017

New Farmers Dane and Rachael's Farm Land

Name? Rachael and Dane Sherstad Where do you farm? Paradise Valley Produce, Powell River, BC What do you farm? At this point buttercup… but hopefully delicious mixed veggies coming soon! What type of business structure is your farm? Partnership What is your land tenure? We purchased this land last summer and made the move to the Sunshine Coast in November.  Endless thanks to the most supportive family ever for making this possible! How did you seriously get into farming? Farming is a new adventure for both of us as we transition from backgrounds in outdoor education/guiding.  We both feel as if we are in the early … Continue reading Business Mentorship Network – Rachael & Dane, Paradise Valley Produce

Business Mentorship Network – Kimi & Kareno, Sweet Digz Farm

Posted by Kristen Nammour on April 07, 2017

The july fields of sweet digz farm

Name? Sweet Digz Farm – Kareno Hawbolt & Kimi Hendess Where do you farm? Richmond, BC What do you farm? We use organic farming practices to grow veggies, seed and herbal medicinals. What type of business structure is your farm? Our business is a partnership of two sole proprietors: Kareno & Kimi.  Officially, we are “Sweet Digz Farm & Construction.” Up until last year we had a carpentry side where Kimi did renovations and in 2014-15 built a tiny house for a client.  Since 2016 we are trying to have Kimi full time on the farm along with head farmer Kareno.  We also have been able … Continue reading Business Mentorship Network – Kimi & Kareno, Sweet Digz Farm

Business Mentorship Network – Maddy & Elana, City Beet Farm

Posted by Kristen Nammour on March 30, 2017 1 Comment

CSA PIck Up Day for City Beet Farm

We are Maddy and Elana and we are the new farmers at City Beet Farm in Vancouver. We farm on a dozen different properties in East Van, around the Riley Park neighbourhood. This summer we are growing over 70 types of veggies and cut flowers for our 22 week CSA program that runs from end of May to mid-October. Our land tenure model is pretty unique. We are very fortunate to have a community of homeowners who support our business and trade us the land around their homes for weekly vegetables. We came into farming from different angles but with … Continue reading Business Mentorship Network – Maddy & Elana, City Beet Farm

Business Mentorship Network – Kailli Pigott & Zach Johnston, Dancing Dandelion Farm

Posted by Kristen Nammour on March 26, 2017

Dancing Dandelion Farm Fields

Name? Kailli Pigott and Zach Johnston Where do you farm? Dancing Dandelion Farm is located in Duncan, BC in the lovely Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. What do you farm? Mixed vegetables and cut flowers. What type of business structure is your farm? We are a sole proprietorship. What is your land tenure? We own the land we farm on and purchased the property at the end of August 2016. Previously the property was run as a tree and shrub nursery. How did you seriously get into farming? A series of pathways led us to farming. For Kailli it began with her … Continue reading Business Mentorship Network – Kailli Pigott & Zach Johnston, Dancing Dandelion Farm

APRIL 12: Enterprise Budgets for Small Scale Farmers Webinar

Posted by Kristen Nammour on March 23, 2017 1 Comment

Enterprise Budget Webinar

Have you ever wondered “What exactly are enterprise budgets?! How do they work? And why would I use them in my farm planning?”  Join YA and KPU’s Institute for Sustainable Food Systems for a FREE webinar that will help you understand how enterprise budgets can be a powerful planning and financial analysis tool that can be used to guide business decisions on your farm. Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2017 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST Cost: FREE! Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1777763349004622850 A recording of this webinar session will be available to those who register at the link above. Enterprise Budgets for Small Scale Farms Part 1: Why do you … Continue reading APRIL 12: Enterprise Budgets for Small Scale Farmers Webinar

Business Mentorship Network – Simon Answerth, Lightfoot Farm, BC

Posted by Kristen Nammour on March 22, 2017 2 Comments

The green fields of Lightfoot Farms stretch out towards the blue sky

Name?  Simon Answerth Where do you farm? Kelowna, BC What do you farm? Market garden vegetables. What type of business structure is your farm? Husband and Wife partnership. What is your land tenure? I am involved in an incubator farm program where growers are given the chance to develop their skills on a quarter acre plot with very low land costs (i.e. lease fees, irrigation, fencing) and assumed risk.  Each ‘student’ is allowed to participate for 1-3 years after which they must move on to find their own land to lease and to hopefully one day buy. How did you seriously get … Continue reading Business Mentorship Network – Simon Answerth, Lightfoot Farm, BC

The Farm Viability Series: Winter Webinars for Farm Business

Posted by Kristen Nammour on November 23, 2015

Farm Business Webinars for Canadian New Farmers

Do you know what’s making money on your farm? Are you thinking about trying a new marketing strategy or crop? Are you asking yourself if you can farm the way you want – and be financially viable? FarmStart’s Farm Viability Series is a chance to dig deeper into financial tools for evaluating and improving your current or future farm business. The series of 4 webinars, in partnership with NORDIK Institute and AMI, explores financial literacy, setting prices, managing debt and accessing land. COST: $25 each OR save when you register for all 4 webinars – $70; If you are near Guelph or … Continue reading The Farm Viability Series: Winter Webinars for Farm Business