The tiny community of Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia, has recently found itself lacking a vital natural resource: people. As a recent Facebook post by the Farmer’s Daughter Country Market pointed out, the region is rich in land and jobs, but, with a population of 800, the pool of potential employees is small. So the market, which has been having trouble keeping up with demand, decided to take matters into its own hands.
In August, the store made a Facebook post under the headline “Beautiful Island Needs People.” In it, they called out for people who might want to move to their Cape Breton community. In exchange, they offered a job and two acres of land.
“We cannot offer you big money . . . , but we can offer you a great incentive to come and try us out. One thing our business does have is LOTS of LAND,” the post read. “If you decide this opportunity might fit your dreams and goals for a close to nature and community focused life, then we are willing to offer you 2 acres of woodland where you can immediately set up your tiny house or quaint cabin.”
The post was shared thousands of times, and yesterday, the first family to take advantage of the offer arrived in Cape Breton. Kerry and Brett Walkins and their two children moved from B.C. to take the Farmer’s Daughter up on its offer.
“It just felt like we had finally reached what we’ve been looking for,” Brett told the CBC. The family had been travelling around the country in their trailer for several months after Walkins was laid off.
The Walkins, the first family to arrive in Whycocomagh in response to the market’s Facebook post.
“Just walking down the street here, two minutes down the road, and people were waving at us as they drove by, and everyone had a smile,” said Kerry. She will take the job at the market, while Brett will work on their newly acquired land and look after their children.
Two more families have already been accepted by the market as well, and will be moving to Whycocomagh shortly.
