B.C. Land Matching Program reaches new milestone (flickr.com)

Media Contacts

Dave Townsend

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
250 356-7098
250 889-5945 (cell)

Darcy Smith

B.C. Land Matching Program Manager
Young Agrarians
land@youngagrarians.org
778 960-2018

Backgrounders

Farmers making connections through B.C. Land Matching Program

The B.C. Land Matching Program (BCLMP) is bringing innovative solutions and supportive services to new, young and experienced farmers in the province looking for land. Dedicated land matchers for the Okanagan, Metro Vancouver-Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, Columbia Basin, and Central and Northern B.C. have helped facilitate 203 matches on 3,685.55 hectares (9,107.2 acres) through the program. These are some of their stories:

In Dawson Creek, near Pouce Coupe, a farming couple with 65 hectares (160 acres) was moving into retirement and wanted to provide an opportunity for the next generation of farmers to take over. They were matched to Kolby Peterson, a young woman from the Peace Region who was seeking mentorship in farming with horses. The BCLMP supported the development of a 10-year lease-to-own agreement with Peterson, which includes the farm’s existing cattle herd. Peterson is already in the early planning stages for new farm infrastructure projects and a market-garden business.

Outside Prince George, a ranching couple in Punchaw Lake with a 66-cow herd and 392 hectares (968.5 acres) was looking for the next generation of cattle producers to take over. They were matched to Ed Wiebe and Theresa Woods, who were seeking land to build their own ranch operation, Wiebe Livestock. With transition arrangement plans in the future, Wiebe Livestock is in a five-year term to graze the land and purchase the cattle, while integrating their own cattle and growing their existing herd size and operating capacity.

Farmer Eric Feehely of Silverstar Veggies was matched to 0.8 hectares (two acres) in Vernon and sells primarily to small grocery stores. The landholders are a young couple who are supportive of Feehely and are extending the length of his lease so his business will be secure over the course of his farming career.

Land seeker Mark Awan was looking for land to expand his dairy operation and was matched to a 7.9-hectare (19.51 acre) property in Langley that had previously been a dairy farm, complete with barns, a milking parlour and equipment. The retired farmer-landholder was thrilled to find a farmer who would continue the legacy of the property as a dairy farm and make use of the infrastructure on site.

In the West Kootenays, the Carr family has been farming in Krestova since 1978. In 2012, grandson Matt Carr started leasing land from his grandparents, establishing Linden Lane Farms. Now operating on 2.4 hectares (six acres) and growing, with a team of over 10 staff and family members, the business operates on the main farm property with leases on additional properties developed through the BCLMP of more than 0.8 hectares (two acres).

Katie Underwood started Peas and Carrots Farm, a mixed-vegetable operation, on one hectare (2.5 acres) of leased land in Saanich with the support of the BCLMP. Katie runs a vegetable box program and also sells at local farmers markets as well as her successful roadside stand at the farm. The landholders are thrilled to see their agricultural land brought into production and producing food for the local community.

Media Contacts

Dave Townsend

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
250 356-7098
250 889-5945 (cell)

Darcy Smith

B.C. Land Matching Program Manager
Young Agrarians
land@youngagrarians.org
778 960-2018