YA BUSINESS MENTORSHIP NETWORK – FARMERS ON 57TH
“My first year was so overwhelming, and I knew that I needed guidance in the little things of running the farm, but also in the big questions that I was wrestling with”
– Britt So of Farmers on 57th, British Columbia
Young Agrarians is celebrating the eleventh year of the Business Mentorship Network (BMN) program in BC and the third year of the BMN in the Prairies! The BMN offers farm business mentorship to a diverse array of new and young farmers. The mentorship is offered over the course of a year. Through one-on-one mentorship, peer networks and online workshops new farmers develop the skills necessary to operate ecologically sustainable and financially viable farm businesses.
Applications for Mentees across Western Canada open in October 2025. Mentor applications are accepted year-round. Want to be notified when applications open for the 2026 cohort? Click below!
Meet a mentee from the current cohort and learn about their farm and why they joined the Business Mentorship Network. Want more? Head over to our BMN Blog for more mentorship stories.
Meet a Mentee: Farmers on 57th
My name is Britt So (she/her) and I farm at Farmers On 57th, a non- profit urban farm. I’m being mentored by Kimi and Kareno of Sweet Digz Farm, and I have to say, it’s been such a life giving experience!
Farmers On 57th is in the Marpole neighbourhood of “Vancouver”, on unceded Musqueam land. We farm on the lawns of the Oak Care Centre (formerly George Pearson Centre), a long term care facility.
What inspired you to get into farming?
I was inspired to get into farming through a combination of practicality and idealistic tendencies. Before farming, I worked in seafaring and knew I needed a job where I could be outside most, if not all of my days. I knew my soul would be sucked out of me if I sat a desk in an office all week, so farming was a practical option that provided not only time outside, but an opportunity to engage my body and mind at work. I also have a love for nature and witnessing the miracle of things growing, so I was curious as to how it could look like if I dedicated my life to it. My faith practice also plays into my decision to steward the land and those that glean from it well. There’s something about knowing that you are not in control of your work, but that the harvest produced is a result of working in tandem with, and in consideration of, other creatures, nature’s elements, and the land, that brings purpose to what I do everyday.
Back in 2021, I dove into a Sustainable Agriculture internship at A Rocha in South Surrey, and it shaped not just my love for farming, but how farming can be a dignified vocation that gives life to those who choose it. From there, I read every book I could get my hands on, listened to podcasts, watched youtube videos, and tried to meet other farmers who were doing good work in the area. It’s such a wonderful community, and I’m grateful for the generosity of the people in it.
Tell us about the structure of your farm.
Farmers On 57th is a non-profit organization that sells produce through a CSA, and runs various different gardening programs for the community. We also donate our produce to various organizations, neighbours, and to our volunteers that come once a week to help with sowing and growing. Our summer staff are funded through the Canada Summer Jobs grants, and we also rely on donations from the community to fund our subsidized CSA boxes, and other things like farm tool needs/ volunteer program needs.
We grow a total of about 1 acre, with 1/2 an acre of production for our market garden, where we grow vegetables and flowers for 75+ households through our CSA, donations to the community and our amazing volunteers! We also grow through our other programs such as a Grow Your Own Food Course that teaches people how to grow food in their own homes, Garden Club, a therapeutic gardening program for residents at Oak Care Centre, Community Garden beds, and also through Growing Eden, a gardening program for low income families, new immigrants, and refugees.
What types of ecological farm practices and/or responses to climate change realities do you engage in?
The farm mainly focuses on building soil health, so we practice things like crop rotations, applying tons of compost, companion planting, sowing cover crops, and low tillage. We also don’t use any mechanized tools on the farm, not only to address climate change, but also to demonstrate to the community that it doesn’t take much to grow food, and food in abundance while also caring for the environment.
Why did you apply for business mentorship? What are your primary business goals for the season?
I applied for the business mentorship program because I was seeking a mentor/mentors who could journey with me as I navigated managing a farm operation. My first year was so overwhelming, and I knew that I needed guidance in the little things of running the farm, but also in the big questions that I was wrestling with- like ‘Is this a sustainable career?’ “What does it look like to be a person of colour and a woman in this field?’ ‘What do farmers even do in the winter time??’
What is the greatest challenge you face as a new farmer?
To be honest, it’s learning to accept that growth takes time – whether that’s in the fields, or in my personal life. My biggest frustrations often stem from thoughts of “I want myself/ the farm to be at X point right now, why aren’t we there yet?”, then having to come to terms with that fact that farming is a long game typa thing. It could take years, maybe even decades, for certain fruit to come about.
What are some resources and business tools that have been helpful on your farming journey?
Honestly couldn’t live without our trusty Google sheets, where we have all our crop plans, seeding information, staff schedules, and volunteer program structures! We’re pretty low key and don’t use any fancy apps, so this has been our go-to!
How can we find out more about you, your farm, and its products?
You can find Farmers On 57th tucked in the Marpole neighborhood, off of Cambie St, between 57th and 59th St. (very accessible via transit, so come visit us!) You can also visit the website at www.farmerson57th.ca or find us on Facebook (@farmerson57th) and Instagram (@farmerson57th)