About Us

Welcome to The Pender Island Community Farmland Acquisition Project

We are the Pender Island Community Farmland Acquisition Project Society. (The Farmland Project.)

Our purpose is to acquire and maintain farmland on Pender Island to be held in perpetuity for the benefit of the community.

We have a vision of a farmland trust that supports sustainable agriculture, producing local healthy food and increasing food self-sufficiency on Pender Island, while combining ecological conservation, education and community. Commmunity-owned and protected land will provide access to farmland for a new generation of young farmers and preserve local farming knowledge, and create possibilities for food-related small businesses as well as educational, social and cultural programs for our community.

More information on the Farmland Project Society Page

With consultation and assistance from The Land Conservancy and Farm Folk/City Folk Community Farms Program for BC, and based upon diverse models of many established community farms in our province, we are shaping a vision that reflects the needs and interests of Pender Island. Since our first meetings in early 2009, the organization has grown in numbers and received enthusiastic endorsement and support of PICA, the PI Farmers’ Institute, the PI Women’s Institute, the PI Elementary School and the PI Organic Community Garden Society.

Our goal is to acquire and maintain farmland for:

 sustainable agriculture and enhanced local food security;

 preservation of the unique ecological features of the land;

 education and research; and

 other community centered uses of the land consistent with the objectives of sustainable agriculture, environmental protection and community benefit.

More info on Acquiring Farmland Page

We are currently drafting a Whole Farm Plan (WFP), which will set conservation and sustainable agriculture objectives and guidelines, and summarize the agreements between that are made by people working together on a community farm. Once we acquire land, the WFP will also include the characteristics and capacity of the land, and hold its stories, history and culture. It will identify resources and opportunities to be an economically successful, multi-functional community farm with diverse agricultural, ecological and social activities.

A Whole Farm Plan is more than a Plan. As a draft WFP is developed, the process of doing so is actually a tool that brings people together,builds community, and helps develop the vision and intention of members of the farm group.

WFP definition used with permission from communityfarms.ca

More info on Whole Farm Planning Page

We are part of the Community Farms Program, a project of FarmFolk/CityFolk Society (FFCF). FF/CF helps landowners, farmers, and local communities develop and support community farm models in BC.

What is a Community Farm?

A community farm is a multi-functional farm where the land is held “in trust” for community rather than owned privately. A community group or co-operative governs the land use agreements, and agricultural uses of the land are shared by a community of farmers. The primary focus of a community farm is local food production using sustainable agricultural practices. Land holders, land managers, and farmers work together by mutual agreement.

Community Farm definition used with permission from communityfarms.ca

More info on Community Farms

To get involved with the Project and be put on our mailing list, please contact us.