Farmer Outreach Team

VOLUNTEER GUIDE: HOW TO FIND FARMERS

COMMUNITY GROUP BUY PROGRAM


OUR GOAL

We're building a network of BC farmers and produce suppliers for our Community Group Buy program.

Our immediate focus is finding produce available during October and November, with opportunities to purchase approximately 500–1,000 lbs per order.

We're also interested in connecting with farmers for future seasons.

Each volunteer has offered to contribute approximately 2–3 hours per week to help us find potential suppliers.

This is an initial test to see what we can discover and learn.


VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS

MELANIE: FRUITS & BERRIES

Apples, pears, Asian pears, cranberries, grapes, quince, kiwi, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, plums.

CHRISTINA: SQUASH & FIELD VEGETABLES

Butternut, spaghetti, kabocha, acorn and delicata squash, pumpkins, zucchini, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, corn.

MURALI: GREENHOUSE & SPECIALTY CROPS

Tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, hot peppers, eggplant, lettuce, kale, spinach, Swiss chard, bok choy, mushrooms, herbs.

JENNIFER SINGH: ROOTS & STORAGE CROPS

Potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, shallots, beets, parsnips, turnips, rutabaga, radishes, leeks, celeriac, sunchokes.


SIX WAYS TO FIND FARMERS

Farmers can be incredibly difficult to find. Many are busy running their farms, don't have websites, and aren't actively advertising their produce.

Here are six ways to find them.

1. FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE

Facebook Marketplace is a great resource for finding farmers and produce suppliers.

Search for the specific crop you're researching.

Examples:

  • Bulk potatoes

  • Farm fresh apples

  • Local carrots

  • Butternut squash

  • Wholesale vegetables

Try different search terms and expand your search area throughout BC.

2. CHATGPT

ChatGPT is a great resource for finding farmers.

Keep your searches simple and focused. Search for one crop and one region at a time.

Example:

"I'm looking for carrot farmers in the Lower Mainland, BC. Can you give me a list of farms I can contact?"

You can repeat this for different crops and regions.

3. FARMER REFERRALS

THIS IS ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT METHODS.

Farmers know other farmers.

Whenever you're speaking with a farmer, ask:

"Do you know any other farmers growing this crop or other produce? We're looking to connect with farmers throughout BC."

Don't limit yourself to one crop. A potato farmer might know someone growing carrots, onions or cabbage.

One good connection could lead to several more.

4. FARM DIRECTORIES & AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS

Many organizations maintain lists of farmers or represent specific agricultural industries.

These can be excellent places to discover farms.

Places to start:

You can also search for associations representing specific crops.

5. FARMERS MARKET VENDOR LISTS

Many farmers markets publish their vendor lists online.

Search for farmers markets throughout BC and look through their websites, Facebook pages and Instagram accounts.

These lists can help you discover farms and producers you might not otherwise find.

6. GOOGLE MAPS

Google Maps can help uncover farms that don't appear in regular searches.

Try searching by crop and location.

Examples:

  • Potato farms in Delta

  • Vegetable growers in Chilliwack

  • Greenhouses in Surrey

  • Apple orchards in the Okanagan

  • Carrot farms in the Fraser Valley

Explore different agricultural regions throughout BC.


HOW TO CONTACT FARMERS

FARMERS ARE EXTREMELY BUSY.

They're working long days, often in the fields, and don't have time for long conversations or messages.

Make it as easy as possible for them.

  • Call first whenever possible.

  • Text them if you can't reach them by phone.

  • Avoid emails.

  • Keep it short and simple.

  • Don't overwhelm them with questions.

STANDARD SCRIPT

"Hi, my name is [Name]. We're looking to buy about 500 lbs of [crop] for our community group.

Is that something you'd be interested in discussing?"

IF THEY SHOW INTEREST

Feel free to mention that you're working with local farming advocate Gagan Singh.

Many farmers across BC already know me or are familiar with my work. Mentioning my name can help build trust and open doors.

Thank them and let them know that Gagan may give them a call to discuss things further.

There's no need to negotiate prices or explain the entire program.

Your job is simply to find potential suppliers, start conversations, and see who's interested.

Keep it short. Keep it simple. Respect their time.


WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD YOU COLLECT?

Keep it simple for yourelf. We only need three things:

  1. Name

  2. Contact information (phone number and location)

  3. What they grow or supply

Don't ask for price or negotiate. That is my responsibility. 


KEEP YOUR OWN FARMER LIST

For this initial test, I'd like everyone to create and manage their own list of farmers.

Please don't worry about creating a master list or coordinating your research with the other volunteers.

I understand the value of collaboration, but from our past experience, it can sometimes make things more complicated than necessary.

There may be some overlap, and two volunteers might end up contacting the same farmer. That's completely OK.

This is just a test. We're trying to learn what works without adding unnecessary structure or complexity.


INTRODUCE THEM TO OUR BC FARMERS GROUP

Once you've connected with a farmer, please invite them to join our 🚜 BC Farmers WhatsApp group.

We have over 200 local BC farmers from different agricultural industries in the group.

It's a great place for farmers to connect, share information, and build relationships with one another.

You can share the link during your conversation or send it afterward in a follow-up text.

JOIN OUR BC FARMERS GROUP:

https://instaberry.ca/farmer