Meet local chicken farmer and entrepreneur Tyler Linttell
Tyler Linttell is an urban farmer and part of the young genre who, with no farming family background — like none at all — have decided to return to the land.
And we should be thankful.
After completing a university degree in pre-medicine and kinesiology, Tyler took a summer job at an agritourism RV Park called Canyon Farms in south Kelowna in 2015. Inspired by this unique business plan, Tyler’s interest was piqued and he got the idea to convert his own family’s acreage near Mission Creek into something similar.
“Lesley was a huge inspiration and mentor for me," Tyler says. "I stole all of her best ideas and threw in a few of my own. She’s always there to help me out whenever I have questions…which is often.”
After applying to the City and jumping through a few hoops, the project was approved, and Tyler put on his farmer hat. His family acreage adjacent to the Mission Creek Greenway was then transformed from a hayfield into an RV park with chicken coops and vegetable plantings in the field. The business has been a super success with the RV Park packed all season long. The chicken and egg business is also thriving and Tyler’s new plans to plant further ground crops is in play. Soon there will be haskap and blackberries along with other vegetables to fill the vegetable stand in the works roadside.
Tyler is raising both laying hens and broilers that have allowed him to offer both farm fresh eggs and frozen whole chickens at the Kelowna Farmers & Crafters Market all year long. Coming up Nov. 14, Tyler will have fresh chicken for sale and this time, he will be offering chicken parts.
I can tell you personally that his chickens are delicious and lived a happy life on his farm.
“The future is full of possibilities and opportunities," he says. "Farming isn’t easy but the challenges are part of its charm. I hope to eventually expand into different types of agriculture.”
If you want to order fresh chicken, text Tyler at (250) 870-8998 or visit him at the Kelowna Farmer’s & Crafter’s Market now indoors at the Parkinson Rec Centre.
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