GOT LAND? WANT LAND? If you’re looking to access farmland, or are curious about sharing your land with a farmer, then join us in Smithers on September 6th to start your land sharing journey with the B.C. Land Matching Program!
Why share land? The number of farmers in B.C. has been declining for several decades, and thousands of local farms have disappeared. Farm operators are ageing out of farming and retiring, but with the cost of farmland at an all-time high, many new farmers can’t afford to buy land and continue their legacy. That’s why the B.C. Land Matching Program exists, and our annual educational land sharing workshops offer an opportunity for farmers and landholders to connect with each other and learn how to share land.
Join Andrew – the Central-North Land Matcher – to learn how you can access land for farming or make your land available to a farmer. Andrew will guide you through a self-assessment activity to help you create an action plan for your own land sharing journey. You’ll leave the workshop with the knowledge, resources and connections needed to turn your plan into reality!
John Stevenson, Regional Agrologist, will also be in attendance to discuss a key consideration for farmers seeking land: access to water for irrigation. John will be available to answer questions about water licensing, drought management and water storage solutions, such as rainwater capture.
We need all hands on deck to tackle the challenges facing the agriculture sector in B.C. – come learn how land sharing can be part of the solution, and how you can get involved!
DATE: Saturday, September 6, 2025 • 1-4pm PDT
LOCATION: Wet’suwet’en, Takla and Dënéndeh Territory. The Old Church, 3704 1 Avenue, Smithers, BC
DIRECTIONS/PARKING: The Old Church is located at the intersection of King St and 1 Ave in Smithers. Free parking is available on the street outside the church. Carpooling is encouraged – if you are looking for or can offer a ride to or from the event, you can organize carpooling through the Facebook event (coming soon). Please do not bring petsto the event. Kids are welcome! More information below.
REGISTER: Please RSVP here -
https://youngagrarians.org/land-sharing-smithers-sept-6-2025/
SCHEDULE:
1 pm: Arrival
1-3:15 pm: Land Sharing Workshop, including presentation from John Stevenson
3:15-4 pm: Introduction Circle & Networking
SHARE: Planning on joining us? Invite your friends and share the Facebook event (coming soon).
ACCESSIBILITY: If you have any accessibility needs, please get in touch with us at
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ABOUT JOHN:
John Stevenson is a Professional Agrologist with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, serving the northwest region for 15 years. John is based in Telkwa, BC and lives with his partner and wife Teresa, along with two dogs Niska and Finley. Currently they spend a lot of their free time building a decent garden and perennial food forest trials, while also being active grandparents, and volunteering in the Bulkley Valley community. John is a strong supporter of regional food production and is always happy to talk to anyone interested about food systems, soil health, favourite plant varieties, and recycling initiatives.
STAY IN TOUCH:
-Join our Young Agrarians Central & Northern B.C. Facebook Group to stay up to date on all events in the region:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2570154826356946
-Sign up for our e-newsletter to get events and opportunities for your region delivered straight to your inbox (be sure to select your bio-region!)
https://youngagrarians.org/newsletter/
-Cancellations – Please let us know if you have registered for this event but are no longer able to attend! You can cancel your registration anytime through Eventbrite, via the link in your registration confirmation email, or by contacting
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-Questions? Email Dani at
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If you are interested in hosting an event at your farm and bringing together the farming community in your area, reach out to
YmNsbXAgfCB5b3VuZ2FncmFyaWFucyAhIG9yZw== with your idea!
GOT LAND? WANT LAND?
Through the B.C. Land Matching Program, Young Agrarians offers support to farmers looking for land for their farm business, and landholders looking for farmers to farm their land. We’ve made more than 412 matches on over 13,105 acres to date!
Are you on the Young Agrarians UMAP? List your land or future farm dream today! You just might find a farmer who can turn your vacant field into a productive farm, or a landholder who has the ideal piece of land for you.
http://maps.youngagrarians.org/
To explore more land access resources, visit youngagrarians.org/tools/land.
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Workshops in Smithers,
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