LAND OPPORTUNITY: TURN-KEY ORGANIC FARMING AT ALM FARM – SOOKE, BC
We always have new land opportunities coming into our inventory, some of which aren’t on our blog yet! Get in touch with a Land Matcher at bclmp@youngagrarians.org to learn about the latest opportunities and to access free B.C. Land Matching Program services in your region.
ABOUT THE LAND
Up to 1 acre of fields (plus 1 or 2 greenhouses) are available for lease at ALM Organic Farm, a 10-acre organic farm located in Sooke on Vancouver Island, BC. Certified organic since 1994, it is the longest-standing certified organic farm on the Island!
The farm grows outstanding produce, herbs and flowers, as well as certified organic, open-pollinated, locally-adapted seeds for their seed company, Full Circle Seeds. Mary Alice Johnson, the founder, believes that growing organically contributes to the health of the environment and the people who eat their food.
On the 10-acre property, 4 acres are deer-fenced and currently in production. Mary Alice and her team will continue to farm portions of this land, leaving about 1/2 – 1 acre of fields and 1 or 2 movable, unheated greenhouses available to the incoming farmer. The available field is on a southerly slope and has been used for organic production of vegetables, flowers, and seeds since 1990, with silt-sand soil that has been amended over many years. Irrigation water is supplied from a pond and creek, up to 500 gallons per day – this has been enough water for the farm’s needs, though it may run a little low in the late summer.
There are many established buildings and infrastructure already in place, including: a farm store, harvest area with wash station and walk-in cooler, seed processing and germination room, barn, washroom and kitchen – everything a farmer needs to get farming! These facilities will be shared between all farmers on the land.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
This is an excellent turn-key opportunity on a farm that has been a leader in the certified organic farming scene on Vancouver Island. Everything needed to get production up and running is already on-site, without any initial investment! The land has been used primarily for vegetables, seeds and flowers, but is suitable for many other types of production, such as small numbers of poultry, cattle, sheep or pigs. All practices must follow the Organic Standards, in compliance with the farm’s IOPA certification.
Community-minded farmers will feel at home here: ALM Organic Farm hosts an annual Plant Sale at the farm, participates in Seedy Saturdays / Sundays across Vancouver Island, and are big supporters of other farmers and local organizations. The incoming farmer will also enjoy access to many pre-established sales channels, including farmers’ markets, special events, local restaurants and a box program.
Shared accommodations in the farm house will preferably be part of the agreement. The farmer(s) will have their own bedroom in this five-bedroom house, with shared bathroom, kitchen and living areas. The farm’s apprentices, interns, and guests may share the house throughout the year, and they often eat lunches together on work days.
Mary Alice is a teacher and mentor who has worked with many apprentices for over 30 years, and would like to see the land continue to be farmed. She is excited to share her knowledge and experience with the incoming farmer(s). The agreement will start with a one-year lease, with possibility for renewal and extension as the relationship grows.
ABOUT THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
This is an ideal opportunity for experienced, independent farmer(s) who want to operate their own market garden or mixed operation on a turn-key organic farm.
While mutual knowledge-sharing is welcome here, the ideal candidate would be someone who understands how to farm commercially and has the knowledge and skills necessary to run a viable farm business. Contributing to collaborative efforts in crop planning, water use, and marketing will be an essential component of this opportunity.
If you’re looking to start or expand a farm business on an established organic farm, look no further!
GET IN TOUCH
This land is available through the B.C. Land Matching Program. If you are interested in this land opportunity, please contact the Vancouver Island Land Matcher, Kiyomi, at kiyomi@youngagrarians.org with the link to this post, any relevant photos and a paragraph or two on each of the following:
- About you
- Your farming experience
- Your plans for the land
For more details, check out the UMAP Listing for this property.
To learn more about the BC Land Matching Program and other land opportunities, visit youngagrarians.org/tools/land.
The B.C. Land Matching Program is funded on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative, with additional support from Cowichan Valley Regional District and the Real Estate Foundation of BC.
Kiyomi Ito (she/her)
Land Matcher - Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands
Young Agrarians c/o Agrarians Foundation
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Acknowledging with respect and gratitude the unceded territories of the Snaw'naw'as, Snuneymuxw, Qualicum and K’ómoks Nations, on which I live and work.