Farm Enterprises

In April 2008, the UN released the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) report entitled Agriculture at a Crossroads. This report, by over 400 international scientists, calls for a fundamental change in the way we farm. The key message of the report is that small-scale farming using organic, ecological methods is the best way to solve the current food and environmental crises, address hunger and poverty, and meet the needs of local communities.

Farmers are in the business of growing.

The Community Farms Program offers a model for the future of farming in BC, and creates an innovative way to use farmland and help farmers succeed.

On community farms, agricultural uses of the land are shared by a community of farmers. Two or more farmers work together in a cooperative or partnership enterprise, or operate their own businesses. Every community farm is different, but however the farm businesses are set up, farmers collaborate with each other and the governing community group through the farm's Whole Farm Plan.

We know that farmers face many challenges – including access to land, farm incomes, and return on investments – in their efforts to run profitable businesses and make a living from farming. Many farmers struggle to break even, and often turn to off-farm employment to keep afloat.

The Community Farms Program offers information, resources, and assistance to community farmers who want to start and operate farm enterprises.

We encourage farmers to carefully plan their farm enterprises to return enough farm income over time to make a living. We provide:

created by: Barbara Joughin

Last Modified: October 10, 2014