What else can you do?

• Try searching local classified and real estate listings for properties with more land using terms such as “hobby farm” or “acreage”.

• By a smaller home with a bigger yard. Learn methods of growing more with less space.

• Consider moving further out of town where land will be cheaper. Keep in mind what hardiness zone you are moving to and whether or not you will be able to grow the kind of food you want there.

ALR land subdivision applications (BC) – A provincial law that makes land difficult to get land in BC is the ALR land policy. Much of the agricultural land has been designated as ALR land which prohibits the land from being subdivided into smaller more affordable sections that can be managed by a small farmer.

The stated goal is to prevent the land from being subdivided and developed so that it can no longer be farmed, but this leaves many older farmers who do not want to manage such a large farm anymore forced to choose between selling the entire farm or leaving much or the property unused. Most of these land owners are resorting to leasing the land out, which limits the land available to purchase.

The good news is that you can apply for approval to subdivide ALR land. According to the ALC, their main goal is to maintain farm land, so assuming it is being subdivided so that a portion of the land can be sold to someone who wants to farm the land, they should be willing to approve the application.

If you know someone who has ALR land, that is not being fully used, you can discuss the possibility of getting it subdivided so they can sell some of it to you.