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When Miles Smart’s grandfather bought 2½ acres of farm land in Richmond in 1954, he planted crops that reminded him of his native Yugoslavia.

Today Cherry Lane Farm produces a variety of organic produce, including heritage peppers, tomatoes, kale, plums, apples and cherries — a rarity in Richmond where farms are dominated by cranberry and blueberry production — for high-end restaurants and hotels in Vancouver.

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Realtors have worn a path to his farm, not far from the Oak Street Bridge, asking if he wants to sell. His answer was always no.

“Our farm is a remnant of what we are about culturally, what we are excited about,” said Smart. “The idea that someone is going to be parking their BMW in the flower garden is heartbreaking.”

Because one day his grandmother will pass ownership of the farm to his mother Vera and her siblings as their inheritance, Smart had planned to buy his own farm. That dream, however, is out of reach because of soaring farm land values.