Expanding Your Farm with the Help of Modular Farm Buildings
This blog contains content specific to our BOXX Modular branches in British Columbia, and was formerly featured on our Britco website. As of 6/19/2024, the Britco brand has been fully integrated under the BOXX Modular name.
In British Columbia, one of the biggest industries is agriculture. With this growing market, farms play a bigger role than ever before and the more prosperous a farmer is, the larger the farm.
Using a modular structure as farm buildings can help you save time and money, which is essential in any business. In this blog, we’ll discuss the different crops grown in British Columbia, what specific products you can use on your farm as prefab barns, and why you should work with BOXX Modular to expand your farm.
What Are the Major Crops Grown in British Columbia?
British Columbia farmers grow a wide variety of crops, which include fruits, vegetables, grains, and feed for livestock. Another area that’s rapidly expanding is wine production. Here’s a brief look into these different types of agriculture.
Fruits & Vegetables
Thanks to a moderate climate, access to water, and fertile soil, farmers can use field farming to produce a variety of goods. While most of these farms are located in the Lower Mainland, some are also in Vancouver Island, Cariboo, and the Southern Interior.
The types of produce grown are:
- Berries
- Sweet Corn
- Cole Crops (Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, and Cabbage)
- Beans
- Carrots
- Beets
These goods are used in local communities, shipped across Canada, or even exported internationally.
Greenhouse Floriculture & Vegetables
Greenhouse growing has become more popular over the years. Growing your produce or horticulture in a greenhouse has several benefits, including keeping a consistent weather environment and keeping pests and other invasive species out of your plants.
However, it’s a more expensive way of growing since you have to rely on state-of-the-art technology and practices to produce high-quality products. Despite the costs, greenhouse floriculture in British Columbia has become second in the country for farm gate sales so farmers can see the benefits.
Some of the types of vegetables that grow well in greenhouses are:
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Peppers
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
Livestock
While you might not think of livestock as a “crop,” that’s exactly what it is. You have to tend and care for your animals so they grow and mature, whether it’s for dairy, meat, or textile (such as wool) animals.
In British Columbia, the types of livestock raised in the different regions include:
- Cows
- Sheep
- Poultry
- Hogs
- Horses
- Goats
- Alpacas
Livestock farmers depend on other farms to help feed their livestock. Since livestock and grain are two different disciplines, you don’t normally find farmers growing both but it can happen. Most of the time, livestock farmers are buying grain from other local farmers.
Wine
Wine is an industry that’s quickly expanding in the province. Several areas in British Columbia are ideal for growing grapes, both for wine and for fresh markets, including Okanagan Valley and Vancouver Island. There are over 900 vineyards and that number keeps increasing.
Winemakers cultivate several different types of grapes including:
- Merlot
- Pinot Gris
- Pinot Noir
- Chardonnay
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Riesling
In 2023 the wine industry has taken a hit due to the extreme weather conditions. A prolonged cold snap this winter damaged vineyards in Okanagan Valley and it’s estimated that there will be a 29%-56% drop in wine and grape production.
What's Farming’s Impact on the Local Community?
Farming is one of the top industries in British Columbia and plays a major role in the local economy. There are over 200 agricultural commodities and 100 types of seafood that are harvested and sold both locally and internationally. Additionally, there are over 1,500 businesses that produce a variety of goods from breakfast cereals to wine.
Agriculture also brings jobs to local communities. People are needed to run the farm by tending the crops, harvesting them, packaging them, and transporting everything to desired locations. Local restaurants can purchase products from farmers to serve to their guests and support their local economy.
By having these wide-reaching effects, we can see the impact agriculture has across the food supply chain.
What BOXX Modular Products Can Support Your Farm
So what modular products can be used as farm buildings? At BOXX Modular we offer several different ones that would work on your farm.
Mobile Offices
Mobile office trailers have a frame and wheels so they’re easy to move around the farm. They give you a space to handle all farm management work — from purchasing, crop planning, or accounting. They also give you a place to check on your produce if you run into any issues. Or if you run a livestock farm, you can place one near your fields to give you space to tend to any sick or injured animals.
Another benefit to a BOXX Modular mobile office is you can add a furnishing package so you won’t need to worry about finding furniture for your agriculture buildings.
Container Offices
If you need multipurpose spaces to do bookkeeping or plan your next crop, our container office can be used for that. They’re made of solid steel and have steel screens over the windows so you can lock up sensitive documents. They can also be used as storage spaces for farming equipment or tools.
Storage Containers
No matter what industry you’re in, storage is always in short supply. This is especially true on farms. If you just need storage, then we offer plain storage containers that you can use.
These containers are made of solid steel and the doors also have steel lockboxes. You can use them to keep your tools or farming equipment out of the elements.
The storage containers also have an option to add bracket-mounted shelving to help you organize everything from records to equipment.
How BOXX Stands Apart from Other Modular Companies
Not all farms are the same just like not all modular buildings aren’t the same. There are key differences that should be considered when deciding why you should go with modular.
The same holds true for modular companies. Here’s what sets BOXX Modular apart from the competition:
1. BOXX Delivers
No matter where your farm is, BOXX Modular can get there. We can deliver your agricultural building to remote areas or the outskirts of a city. We’ll deliver and set up your agricultural buildings, all while taking care of the logistics so you don’t have to be sorry about it.
And we do it faster than a traditional build. Our fabrication and site prep takes place at the same time in a factory setting. This means we have environmental control so weather delays won’t be an issue.
2. BOXX is Green
As a society, we produce enough waste, so we’ve made it our mission to implement environmentally-friendly practices. When we combined our building process, we’ve created 40% less construction waste, which is good for the planet.
We also try to use environmentally friendly materials in our builds. By implementing these practices, we can minimize waste use across all stages of the build and help protect the environment.
3. BOXX Supports
You’ve decided you want a modular farm building but now you’re not sure where to start. At BOXX Modular, our team is with you every step of the way. We can answer all your questions, from whether buying or leasing is the right choice for you to what type of flooring should you have, and develop a customized solution for your farm, including cost-saving options.
Our team can also provide on-site project management or work with your general contractor if you need it. This includes all site preparation, installation, and decking needs.
We recognize that going modular can be overwhelming so we want to make the process as smooth as possible.
Don’t know where to start in expanding your farm?
Contact our team to discuss the best modular farm buildings for your needs.
Ready to solve your space needs?
Modular buildings are the way to go. Request a quote or contact us today to get the conversation started. We’d love to talk to you about how modular can meet — and exceed — your needs.