Friends of Madrona organic farm have two weeks to raise the last $799,000 needed to ensure the Blenkinsop Valley spread is protected in perpetuity by The Land Conservancy.

And the group is looking for one person in particular, with an extra $200,000 jingling in their pocket.

Retired Victoria businessman Ed Johnson, who chairs the Farmlands Trust, has personally pledged that amount in matching funds, as a challenge to someone else to step forward before the deadline.

"I'm a small farmer myself and understand the importance of having locally grown, fresh produce," Johnson said. "It's fundamental to the health of our community. So it's a no-brainer to support this farm -- or any farm in danger of being developed or not used for farming anymore.

"I live in Mount Newton Valley and there is always pressure from developers. This model allows people to donate to a project, so land can be leased out to tenant farmers who can't afford to buy it.

"We are coming down to the crunch now," said Johnson, who has already personally donated $50,000 to the effort, in addition to guiding the Farmland Trust's gift of $250,000. (The trust came together about two years ago, initially to protect the Woodwynn farm in Central Saanich. It is now throwing its support behind this effort.)

David Chambers and his wife Nathalie farm the 11 hectares, which belong to his uncles, who want to sell. The deal is contingent on raising the final money by Jan. 14.

They have already met several other deadlines in the past year.

The property is valued at $2.5 million and TLC's fee is $250,000. The uncles have reduced their asking price by about $600,000 to help it happen.

"The Chambers are really hard working people and pretty selfless," Johnson said. "They have given up their own inheritance from David's father and at the end of the day all they'll get is a chance to lease it, and walk away with no equity. I really respect people like that."

"We're in a bit of a pickle," Nathalie Chambers said this week. "We're down to the wire and really hope people think of us now."

Donations can be made online at www.madronafarm.com or mailed to TLC at 301-1195 Esquimalt Rd., Victoria, V9A 3N6, and made out to the Madrona trust.

glitwin@tc.canwest.com