Young Agrarians is celebrating the ninth year of the Business Mentorship Network (BMN) program in BC and the expansion of the program across the Prairies! The BMN offers business mentorships to a diverse array of new and young farmers. Through one-on-one mentorship, peer networks and online workshops young farmers develop the skills necessary to operate ecologically sustainable and financially viable farm businesses.
YA business mentorships have helped over a 100+ farmers to generate more revenues, grow more food and put more land into production. Immediate results have led to on average of 64% more farm revenue, a 72% increase in food produced, and a 48% increase in land under production. We are thrilled to bring the stories of these farmers to you for inspiration!
Applications open for Mentees across Western Canada in October 2023.
Mentor applications are accepted year round.
Check out the program page on our website for more information!
Hi I am Mikayla MacLeod, my business is Charnwood Flowers and I grow at Charnwood Farms. Kimi & Kareno from Sweet Digz Farm in Steveston, BC are my mentors.
Where do you farm? Please include the traditional territory acknowledgement if you know it.
I farm in Chilliwack, BC on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Stó:lō Coast Salish peoples.
What inspired you to get into farming?
I have always loved helping in the garden and when my family purchased property in 2016, our gardens just became a lot bigger. After working a few different office jobs, I realized that the 9-5 lifestyle was not what I was looking for at this moment. What I do enjoy is growing flowers & vegetables. I love being able to work outside with my hands in the dirt, grow delicious vegetables and meeting all the wonderful people at markets who get to enjoy our offerings.
How did you learn how to farm?
Well I am still learning how to do things but, growing up we always had flower and vegetable gardens so I was able to take some of that knowledge as well as some tips & tricks from my Grandma who has farmed & gardened her whole life. The internet has been a huge resource for learning as well as just watching other farmers in my area and seeing what they do and asking a lot of questions.
What type of business structure is your farm, what are you growing and how much land is under production?
Our business structure is set up as a partnership between my mom and myself. We have about 3.5-4 acres under production. We are producing a large variety of cut flowers and vegetables.
What types of ecological farm practices and/or responses to climate change realities do you engage in?
We try to farm as naturally as possible. We use no sprays on our vegetables, some of our flowers we will have to use organic pesticides, which we do minimally. We have also started growing in cloth and laying the cloth in between rows to suppress weeds. Water is such an important resource, so we have installed drip lines to make our watering more efficient. Something we are working towards is less tillage.
What is your land tenure?
Ownership. My parents are part owners of the farm.
Why did you apply for business mentorship?
I applied to the mentorship program to elevate our farming. As someone who didn’t come from farming or have a lot of hands-on experience I felt learning from individuals that have the experience and knowledge would help me improve my farming techniques and business.
What is the greatest business challenge you face as a new farmer?
Our greatest business challenge as farmers to date has been the cost to get started and our own lack of experience. The startup costs in farming can add up really quickly. We have decided to pace ourselves with equipment purchases to keep our costs in check and to ensure that the equipment will add value to our operation. As someone with little experience we have also had to figure out which tools and equipment are best suited for us.
What is your primary business goal for the season?
My 4 primary goals for this season are to increase revenues, to start a CSA, increase efficiencies and to formalize a record keeping system.
What business tools could you not live without?
I couldn’t run the business without Excel spreadsheets and our payment processor Square.
If you had a farming robot what would it be?
A robot that got rid of all the weeds.
How can we find out more about you, your farm, and its products?
IG & FB @charnwoodfarms
This program is made possible with the generous funding support of Vancity, Endswell Foundation and Columbia Basin Trust.