Location: Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
Farm Name: Green Valley Organics
Land Size: 12 acres
Main Crops: Carrots, lettuce, kale, spinach, tomatoes, and cucumbers
Farming Method: Organic, no-till, drip irrigation
Annual Revenue: ~$180,000 CAD
Started: 2014
Employees: Family-run with 3 seasonal workers
How It All Began
Sarah and Mark Thompson were former school teachers who left the city life of Vancouver in 2014 to pursue a dream: sustainable living and organic farming. With a small loan, they bought 12 acres of land in Abbotsford and began with just one greenhouse and a half-acre test plot.
Farming Techniques
The Thompsons focus on:
No-till farming to preserve soil health
Crop rotation and companion planting to manage pests naturally
Drip irrigation to conserve water
Organic composting using farm and kitchen waste
They converted a portion of their farm into greenhouses for year-round salad greens and tomatoes, while the open fields are used for seasonal vegetables.
Where They Sell
Farmers’ Markets in Vancouver and Abbotsford
CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Boxes for 150+ local families
Supplying to Organic Grocery Stores like SPUD.ca and Nature’s Fare
Direct sales through their website with home delivery options
Earnings & Growth
First Year Revenue (2015): $35,000 CAD
Now (2024): ~$180,000 CAD annual turnover
Profit margins are around 30% due to direct sales and minimal chemical use
They invest heavily in branding, local events, and customer relationships, which keeps their CSA boxes in high demand with waiting lists.
Challenges & Learnings
Canadian winters limit growing seasons, so greenhouses were a must.
Labor was a challenge, so they hired local college students during summer.
They took online training in organic farming from the University of Guelph.
❤️ Farmer’s Message
Farming isn’t just work—it’s a lifestyle. We grow clean food for our community and raise our kids in nature. There’s no better reward.”
— Sarah Thompson