Land matching could help grow new generation of BC farmers

PRINCE GEORGE — An opportunity for young farmers looking to expand their operations is available through land matching and this year it is as accessible as ever. The Young Agrarians are working to match local producers with people selling land in an effort to help new farmers expand their grow.

BC farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to find land for growing their crops. Especially for young or newer growers, this can pose issues when they look to expand their operations. Land matching opens the opportunity for farmers like Ruth Byra Calduch, who grows garlic locally, to get the experience they need. She was matched with her landowner in August.

“I got introduced to land matching through the Young Agrarians. I explored their website when I first got interested in growing food and I used their help to find the land [being used for] my 39 beds of garlic,” Byra Calduch explained. “I came over and met the owners and from there we slowly developed a contract that all of us agreed with.”