Events

Managing a Direct Market Small Scale Farm - Session 1

Join us for the first course of the SPEC-YWCA Urban Farmer Field School, a program that emphasizes sound practices, experiential education and participation.

Interested in urban farming enterprises? Find out what it takes and learn how to build a resilient business. This course will be a sound investment for anyone considering growing and selling food in the city.

Where: YWCA Metro Vancouver, 535 Hornby Street, Vancouver
When: Thursday April 5, 12, 19, 6-9 pm
Cost: $117 for 3 classes. First class SPECIAL now just $99

The first five people to sign up for this course will receive a free copy of Peter Ladner's new book The Urban Food Revolution: Changing the Way We Feed Cities.

Register NOW

Course Description

Managing a Direct Market Small Scale Farm is a three-part course where participants go through the steps of defining your business model to raising start-up funds, estimating your income and expenses and tracking results. You will get a realistic picture of what you can achieve in your farming enterprise to provide both you and your investors confidence and to greatly improve your chances for success.

The course instructor, Grant Watson operates Grant’s Gourmet Gardens, an edible landscaping business in Greater Vancouver. He has been involved in local organic agriculture since 1994 in a number of roles, including production, marketing and advocacy. He serves on the certification committee of the Biodynamic Agriculture Society of BC, is manager of the Oak Street Farmers’ Market and a shareholder at Glen Valley Organic Farm Co-op. Grant is also a co-founder of NOWBC Food Co-op. He has been teaching food gardening to children and adults since 2003.

Class 1 (April 5, 6:00-9:00pm)

• How do I sell food?
• Who are my customers?
• What are the ways to rent or buy land?

Class 2 (April 12, 6:00-9:00pm)

• How do I construct a business plan?
• Where can I raise start-up funds?
• How do I hire and manage helpers?

Class 3 (April 19, 6:00-9:00pm)

• What is my crop production plan?
• What field and sales records do I keep?
• How do I follow and continually monitor my business plan?

Learn more about the full UFFS program at spec.bc.ca/farmer-field-school