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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!
Our names are Jason Stashko and Krystyna Delahaye and we operate Seed of Life Farm with the support of our mentor Gemma McNeill of Zaklan Heritage Farm.
Where do you farm?
Seed of Life farm is located in the north part of Surrey. We are located on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Qayqayt and Tsawwassen First Nations in Surrey BC, Canada. The B.C. Land Matching Program helped us to find and secure a lease for the land we are growing on.
What inspired you to get into farming and how did you learn to farm?
Farming is fascinating in so many aspects and we just fell in love with the trade and the way of life that comes with it. With inspiring teachers and farmers along our path, it just made sense to continue this journey. Plus, the garden was starting to outgrow the yard! To learn how to farm we took a 1 year internship arranged through a program called S.O.I.L. and we spent that time learning alongside the farmers at Close To Home Organics in Abbotsford.
What type of business structure is your farm, how much land is under production and what do you produce ?
We are structured as a partnership and we are growing on 1-2 acres a mixture of vegetables, herbs, flowers, edible flowers, dried herbs and teas for farmer’s markets, CSA, restaurants and community oriented organizations.
What types of ecological farm practices and/or responses to climate change realities do you engage in?
We employ a number of ecological farming practices including reduced tillage, organic growing methods and planting a diversified number of plant species.
Why did you apply for business mentorship?
We applied for the program because we felt we needed to get a better structure for our business. We needed to get organized and coordinate systems for different aspects of the farm business like data recording, and scheduling and management of employees.
What is the greatest business challenge you face as a new farmer?
Creating a farm business structure is challenging. There is a very large amount of things we need to manage at the same time and we have to wear so many hats!
What is your primary business goal for the season?
Our goal this season is to do everything better! We want to create and implements a detailed and organized record keeping system. It would also be great to engage in some solid winter production.
What business tools could you not live without?
Could probably get by with some seeds, soil and water, but we would miss our online CSA subscription system a whole lot!
If you had a farming robot what would it be?
The CARROT WEEDER!!!!! MWAHAHA!
How can we find out more about you, your farm, and its products?
This program is made possible with the generous funding support of Vancity, Endswell Foundation and Columbia Basin Trust.