Young Agrarians is celebrating the tenth year of the Business Mentorship Network (BMN) program in BC and the second year of the program in the Prairies! If you are a new farmer or the next generation to take on your family farm and need support to figure out the business aspects of your farm consider applying for the 2024/2025 cohort. The BMN offers business mentorships to a diverse array of new and young farmers/ranchers/producers. 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.
Apply for the 2024/2025 program here – applications processed in October .
Check out the Business Mentorship Network page for more information!
Over the next few weeks we will introduce you to each of the new farmers in the 2024 cohort to hear about the arc of their farming journey, what their hopes are for the season ahead and what inspired them to reach out for business mentorship. To access more of these stories head over to our blog here.
Young Agrarians acknowledges funding support provided by the Government of Canada through Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan). In Alberta, the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program in Regenerative Agriculture and Business Mentorship Network is funded in part by the Government of Alberta.
Meet a Mentee: Sunny Slope Farm
My name is Karlee Gerrand, my pronouns are She/Her. My Farm is Sunny Slope Farm, and my mentor is Kara Burell from Dunrea Farming Co. I farm in St. Andrews, MB on Treaty One Territory.
What inspired you to get into farming?
After working with smaller animals my entire adult life I decided I wanted to try working with livestock, and got a job on a horse ranch. While working at this job, I discovered regenerative agriculture, and learned as much as I could about the ecological effects different farming methods have. This, combined with a passion for food justice put me on a path towards vegetable farming. I am most passionate about localizing the food system, and providing the local community with healthy food, produced in a sustainable manner.
How did you learn how to farm?
I primarily learned how to farm through 6 years of work experience. I started working on a private horse ranch, and once I discovered my passion for regenerative agriculture and vegetable farming, I transitioned to working on vegetable farms. Additionally, I took a 2-year Prairie Horticulture Certificate program, and took advantage of the many online webinars available during the pandemic.
What informational resources do you use on a regular basis or have you used in the past to operate your farm business?
The biggest and most helpful resource I have found has been other farmers. Their lived experience has taught me more than anything else. Additionally, I listen to several podcasts while in the field such as “Farm Small Farm Smart,” “My Digital Farmer,” “Sow and Grow Podcast,” and “The No-Till Growers Podcast Network.”
What type of business structure is your farm?
My business is a sole proprietorship.
How much land is under production on your farm and what do you produce?
I have just over a quarter acre of land in production right now, and I farm mixed vegetables.
What kind of land agreement do you have? Are there special relationships that enabled this?
I have a work lease agreement with the owners of the land that I farm, I provide 7 hours of labour per week and they provide land and infrastructure such as a greenhouse and a cooler.
Did you access any financing to buy land or start your farm business?
I have financed my farm entirely through my own savings. The land agreement that I have has enabled me to start my farm without taking on debt early in my farming career.
What types of ecological farm practices and/or responses to climate change realities do you engage in?
My aim has always been to employ regenerative agriculture practices. As such, I use all organic practices, although I am not yet certified. My farm is also no-till. As I expand my knowledge on regenerative agriculture, I would like to continue learning and implementing new farming practices.
Why did you apply for business mentorship? What do you hope to work on this year in your mentorship?
I applied for the business mentorship because I am always looking to learn and grow with my business. My main goals within this mentorship are to become a profitable business, and create a solid growth plan for the future, in order to set my farm up for longevity.
What is the greatest business challenge you face as a new farmer?
The biggest business challenge I’ve faced as a new farmer has been land access, and access to capital. Additionally, marketing has been a challenge as a new farm.
What are your primary business goals for the season?
My top objectives for the 2024 season are to increase my CSA program, increase my profit, establish myself within new wholesale relationships, and create a clear and reasonable plan for scaling up.
What business tools could you not live without?
Social media, email newsletters, excel spreadsheets.
How can we find out more about you, your farm, and its products?
You can find my farm at www.sunnyslopefarm.ca, or on Instagram at @sunnyslope.farm.