$300K from the province to help new farmers find fields
NANAIMO — It’s hoped new farmers will be able to find available land all over B.C. after a $300,000 investment from the province.
The B.C. land matching program, which is run by the Young Agrarians of B.C., helps those looking for land find it on existing farms, provides risk-management assistance and works to ensure farms stay productive for decades to come.
Provincial agricultural minister Lana Popham made the $300,000 investment announcement Tuesday afternoon at Salt & Harrow Farm in Parksville. It’s a farm which was able to flourish under the program, since the land used is leased from an existing farm and everyone works together.
Young Agrarians program director Sara Dent said the assistance they offer is important because it’s easy for someone new to farming and business to find themselves in a bind based on a handshake deal without a long-term arrangement.