Nicole’s Farm develops precisely modelled, year round, sustainable farms on small acreages to help semi-urban and rural communities create local economic stimulation and living wage jobs by building and managing regionalized food sovereignty networks which grow fresh, price competitive, flavourful and nutritionally superior fruits and vegetables.

Problem

Answering the question: Who will grow your food? The average age of a Canadian farmer is 52 years old. Reasons cited for limited entry into farming as a vocation are lack of access to land and the long held belief that agriculture is an industry of little economic return. Limited supply and lack of convenient access to local, sustainably grown, year round fresh fruits and vegetables combined with increased consumer concern about food security and safety, genetically modified organisms, chemical pesticides, water shortages, climate instability, and fuel shortages has created a unique niche growth market for the development of small scale, sustainable agriculture.

Solution

By creating profitable, sustainable farms on small acreages which combine proven bio-intensive farming methods and focusing on socially responsible management, Nicole's Farm is able unite and uniquely benefit land owners, farmers and consumers by establishing collaborative, sustainable, green energy innovative, year round food sovereign communities. The vision is to create a local demonstration farm and cafe to act as community hub in each new semi urban or rural town. The model is easily scalable to regional, provincial, national and international levels. Each new small acreage is developed on underutilized land and acts as a satellite production location to the town hub. Nicole's Farm management matches landowner and farmer, installs farm infrastructure, and acts as farm business administration. Each new acre has the potential to create 2 full time “living wage” jobs. The model is based on selling directly through local grocers. Project wide vision is the creation of green energy surplus, zero waste, carbon negative solutions to each new rural scenario. The project will also include the development and implementation of a hands on school curriculum component to revive intergenerational appreciation for fresh, local food and renew the view of farming as a viable career path.

Example

The value proposition has four parts: 1. mainstream consumer access through supply to conventional shopping venues (grocery stores) as opposed to farmer's markets and community supported agriculture programs. 2. Community attachment to project due to local job creation and economic stimulation through repurposing private land. 3. Consumer appeal due to sustainable, chemical free premium crop cultivation with vibrant colours and high value presentation. 4. Revival of intergenerational appreciation for local fresh produce through high school curriculum development. Produce is grown on small acreages and distributed directly from farm to local grocery stores on a wholesale basis. Pricing is at par or slightly above Canadian organic wholesale pricing. Choice of premium vegetables such as rainbow chards, winter kale, colourful beets, fingerling potatoes and sweet carrots. Each acre engages in year round cultivation. Farm site prep and infrastructure installation takes approximately 14 days from fallow land to first planting. First harvest occurs within 30 to 45 days and each acre becomes cash flow positive Net 30 of first harvest.

Marketplace

Nicole's Farm combines proven year round sustainable cultivation practices with concise, streamlined business processes to deliver fresh locally grown vegetables direct from farm to grocery stores at wholesale prices. The competitive advantage of the Nicole's Farm model has 3 main components: 1. significant opportunities for scaling of model in a growth market due to lack of mainstream interest based in long held but now obsolete view which perceives agriculture as an industry of low economic returns. 2. lack of effective execution in the average small farm model specifically: inefficient use of land base, failure of pest deterrent infrastructure, loss of skill set for organic cultivation practices in general and specifically year round production, absence of business knowledge for employee management and distribution chain development. 3. Relatable brand: Progressive, social enterprise model, woman/mother run company catering to woman/mother driven consumer base.