Part of Transition Salt Spring’s Lighter Living Series
As concerns about food security and local agriculture grow, farmers are retiring and fewer young people can get in the business. The skyrocketing cost of farmland and limited access to start-up capital have left many aspiring farmers with plenty of work experience, but as they come from non-farming backgrounds, they are struggling to realize their dreams. For those with a passion for sustainable farming, a unique opportunity has emerged on Salt Spring Island that could change the course of their future — and be an asset to the community at the same time.
The number-one challenge for new farmers in Canada is gaining access to affordable farmland. In British Columbia, where the cost of agricultural land is among the highest in the country, the challenge is even more pronounced. The average price per acre of farmland is nearly $11,000, and in popular farming regions like the Okanagan, it can soar to $32,000 or more per acre. On Salt Spring Island, where local food production is critical but currently accounts for less than 10 per cent of consumption, farmland is often out of reach for young, motivated farmers.
This is where the Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust (SSIFT) comes in. Established in 2009, the Farmland Trust is dedicated to preserving and revitalizing local agriculture by making farmland available to those who need it most. Through donations and bequests, the Trust has acquired parcels of Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) land, which is rented at affordable rates to help launch sustainable farm businesses. Located on 60 acres of Salt Spring Island’s best agricultural land, the SSIFT’s Burgoyne Valley Community Farm is home to four farm businesses, Salt Spring Island Community Services’ Harvest Farm program and 90 families who tend to 1,000-square-foot garden plots. It is also the site of the community composter, which is not yet operational, and where educational programs are held.
For the right person or team, the Farmland Trust is now offering a 4.5-acre plot at Burgoyne Valley Community Farm for rent at an annual cost of just $1,000. This drastically reduces the financial burden for new farmers, providing them with an affordable way to start or expand a farm business without the high cost of land ownership.
The Farmland Trust is looking for the right farmer or team to take on this opportunity. Ideal candidates will have solid farming experience, a business plan, and a vision for bringing the land into full production. While the land was previously used for fruit and vegetable production, the Trust is open to other types of sustainable farming, including livestock, flowers and mixed farms.
If you are ready to start or expand your farm business and want to be part of Salt Spring Island’s growing food movement, this is an opportunity you can’t afford to miss. With affordable land and a community of support behind you, the dream of running your own farm is closer than you think. To learn more contact info@ssifarmlandtrust.org, or apply to kiyomi@youngagrarians.org.
Farming on Salt Spring Island is more than a business opportunity. It’s a chance to be part of a community that values collaboration, sustainability and local food production.
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