When Danielle Pennel and Garnet Underwood sold their property at Stories Beach in Campbell River to become sheep farmers in Sayward, they could not predict that rising lumber prices would disrupt their plans.
On the seven acres of land they bought in May, the Vancouver Island couple were planning to build a solar-powered off-grid B次元官网网址榞reenB次元官网网址� farm by April 2021 where they could raise hair sheep.
With food security on their agenda, they were looking at developing a sustainable model to add to the supply of B.C.B次元官网网址檚 locally-sourced meat and hair sheep B次元官网网址� known for their meat B次元官网网址� seemed like a suitable option.
The poultry and meat from heritage breeds B次元官网网址� coming from a proven quality lineage, slow-growing and naturally mated B次元官网网址� on their farm was to be supplied to an abattoir in Courtenay.
But the farm is now stalled and set back by three-and-a-half years due to the B次元官网网址渞idiculous priceB次元官网网址� of lumber.
B次元官网网址淚t has been a bigger challenge than I thought it was going to be,B次元官网网址� said Pennel, who is still looking at different permutations to solve the costly lumber issue.
Ideally, they imagined the pandemic to be a good time to B次元官网网址渉ide awayB次元官网网址� on their farm and finish construction before the next growing season.
They brought an excavator, cleared land, logged and sold the alder trees and used the money for some of the construction expenses.
B次元官网网址淏ut right now we canB次元官网网址檛 afford to fence our field and become sheep farmers,B次元官网网址� said Pennel.
All because lumber prices B次元官网网址渏ust tripledB次元官网网址� since they began building the barn.
Lumber prices in North America are at a record high thanks to the pandemic.
The latest price as of Sept. 18, released by B.C. Forest Product Prices shows SPF (spruce, pine, fir) 2x4 lumber at a record level of $1,288 per thousand board feet. The prices have tripled since 2019 when the average annual was at $499.
A supply chain disruption due to constrained lumber supply and surging demand led to a very big price appreciation. The high lumber prices increased the average cost of building homes by $10,000 to $20,000.
READ MORE: Lumber hitting record high prices due to low supply and high demand
Pennel and Underwood weighed numerous options, including speaking to local sawmills that would mill their logs for them in exchange for half.
B次元官网网址淪o I would end up losing half the wood, and plus I would have to pay for the trucks B次元官网网址� about $150 an hour B次元官网网址� making it an expensive option. ItB次元官网网址檚 a catch-22 situation.B次元官网网址�
Story continues below pictureB次元官网网址�
| Turkeys roam around the farm that the couple plan to develop as a completely solar powered farm. Photo courtesy, Danielle Pennel. |
If prices donB次元官网网址檛 drop, the couple is also considering buying a portable lumber mill and logging trees from their property.
B次元官网网址淏ut it will be a very labour intensive process considering itB次元官网网址檚 just the two of us.B次元官网网址�
Pennel and Underwood were able to build the barn and fence almost three-quarters of an acre.
TheyB次元官网网址檝e put off building their house until lumber is more affordable. The couple is living in a trailer on their property.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to wait six more months to see if the prices come down B次元官网网址� if not we will have to apply for a farm loan,B次元官网网址� said Pennel.
They were also in talks with a university in Nanaimo to welcome students from agricultural programs for co-operative education on their farm.
B次元官网网址淲e were looking forward to providing the students with the unique experience of working at a 100 per cent off-grid farm,B次元官网网址� said Penne.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 going to be put on hold as well.B次元官网网址�
