Chilliwack resident aims to launch ‘Airbnb for farming’ in Fraser Valley

“Then I had issues with our weather, and I thought that this was not going to sustain, so I went ahead and did a lot of research on how to make something grow in my backyard for all year round.”

John Manoah, founder of The Boaz Club. (Image Credit: John Manoah)

With greenhouses being unrealistic for most residents and community gardens across the region having long waitlists, the software professional decided to put his innovative streak to use by creating The Boaz Club – a first-of-its-kind greenhouse network where members can grow produce year-round, with no experience needed.

“I thought, ‘If Airbnb is when you have a house and then if you can rent a part of it, and it’s not used, then why can’t greenhouses have spaces for people to go and then just rent a plot?’”

Growing food for growing needs

Named after the biblical farm owner from Bethlehem, the venture would involve building a shared greenhouse structure on private land where members, such as families, restaurants or apartment dwellers, can rent individual 3×3 plots to grow their own food.

Landowners, on the other hand, can earn passive income by lending a portion of their agricultural land for a premium greenhouse with paying tenants.

“There is a national-level need for growing domestic produce ourselves,” Manoah said. “So, I believe that this is probably a great time to invest in Canadian-grown food and health.”

Ottawa has recently earmarked $750 million for year-round producers of fruits and vegetables to help Canadians gain better access to local produce, citing the country’s reliance on imports for 90 percent of its fresh fruit and nut supply.

B.C. itself holds roughly 18 per cent of Canada’s greenhouse area, but Manoah believes that can be improved with help from new growers and technology in the province’s greenhouse sector, especially in the Fraser Valley, which generates the highest average revenue per farm in the province.

“I’m particularly more interested in putting Chilliwack on the map,” he added.

Manoah says he is currently in talks with the British Columbia Greenhouse Growers Association, as well as local MPs and MLAs, to move the project forward.

Early members, existing Fraser Valley greenhouse operators and landowners are encouraged to learn more and sign up online through The Boaz Club’s website.

by Alyssa Conti

Chilliwack resident aims to launch ‘Airbnb for farming’ in Fraser Valley

Growing food for growing needs

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