In today’s episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of what it really looked like to open our brand new farm store. Spoiler: it wasn’t easy. What started as a simple need for a bigger walk-in freezer turned into a full-on construction project… and it tested us in every single way.

From convincing myself it was actually a good idea to saying yes to my father-in-law’s offer (after years of saying no), to doing most of the build ourselves, to nearly failing inspection because the water stopped working 30 minutes before the inspector showed up… yeah. It’s been a ride.

Here’s what I share in this episode:

1. Why I resisted this expansion for so long and what finally made me change my mind
2. The messy (and expensive) middle of building something new while still running an already-busy business
3. The impact this move has had on our farm, from delivery slowdowns to staffing shifts to record-breaking grand opening sales
4. What I’ve learned about trusting my gut, making scary financial decisions, and remembering why we built this space in the first place

If you’re in a season where you’re growing, stretching, or just trying to make it work with what you’ve got, I hope this episode encourages you. Because yeah, it’s hard—but it’s also so worth it.

Hit follow so you don’t miss future episodes, we’ve got some exciting farm store updates (and hard lessons) still to come.

In this episode, I’m digging into something that struck a nerve, not just with me, but with so many of you who messaged after I posted about our drive through Douglas Lake Ranch.

This isn’t just about one beautiful, historic ranch in British Columbia. It’s about who owns our farmland, and what that means for the future of food, farming, and financial sustainability in Canada.

I’m sharing what I’ve learned about the foreign ownership of Canada’s largest cattle ranch, the loopholes in our provincial policies, and why this hits so close to home for me, as someone farming leased land and trying to build something lasting.

We’ll chat about:

• The billionaire U.S. owner of Douglas Lake Ranch (and his surprising connection to Walmart)
• Why BC is seeing more foreign land ownership than other provinces
• What this means for Canadian farmers, Indigenous rights, and food security
• The difference between buying farmland for passion vs. profit
• Why I believe this topic deserves more national attention and legal reform

This episode is short but important, and I’d love to hear your take. Are we doing enough to protect our farmland and food systems?

Key Takeaways:

• Douglas Lake Ranch is owned by a foreign billionaire with deep ties to U.S. corporate wealth
• BC currently has no cap on how many acres can be purchased by foreign interests
• Foreign ownership could have long-term effects on food security and local economies
• We need federal standards and public conversations about protecting farmland

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Have thoughts on this? I want to hear them. DM me on Instagram @CentralParkFarms or reply to our newsletter. Your voice matters.

Resources Mentioned

Douglas Lake Ranch Website – Learn more about the ranch’s history and ownership.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on something that’s been taking up a lot of headspace lately—our new-to-us farm store and what it really means for the future of Central Park Farms.

This isn’t a flashy “grand opening” kind of story. It’s a story about getting back to what made this farm special in the first place: connecting with the people we feed. I’m talking about how our farm store journey has evolved through tiny beginnings, COVID pivots, and now, a big ol’ barn that’s full of possibility.

We’ll chat about:

• Why we didn’t build a million-dollar store
• What we’re prioritizing instead (spoiler: it’s not branded freezer packaging)
• How this new space will help us serve our customers and other local farmers
• The return of something I’ve deeply missed: in-person connection through food

Plus, you’re getting the first-ever sneak peek into a new offering we’re launching soon—the Seasonal Supper Club. If you’ve ever wished for more farm-to-table moments, this one’s for you.

Come hang out with me while I get real about the emotional and practical journey behind this next chapter.

Key Takeaways:

• The new farm store isn’t about “fancy”, it’s about function, community, and values
• We’re expanding to support more local food security, not just sales
• Cooking classes and intimate farm dinners are coming back
• Behind every pork chop and package is a commitment to keeping food affordable and meaningful

Be the first to know about our Seasonal Supper Club

Want to be part of something special? Join the waitlist for our brand new Seasonal Supper Club and enjoy intimate, seasonal dinners at the farm. Click here to join the waitlist.

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