Reading Time: 3 minutes There are fewer Canadian farmers, and those over 55 still outnumber their younger peers. But the number of operators under age 35 years has increased for the first time since 1991. But the number of young farmers remains modest, according to the 2016 Census of Agriculture. According to the census, there were 271,935 farmers in […] Read more
Ag census shows fewer total farmers, but more young ones
The typical farmer has already missed the Freedom 55 boat, but the sector is attracting more young people and women
Passion and drive allow farmers to overcome any hurdle
Reading Time: 3 minutes Emily Ritchie of Turner Valley was the senior winner in the first annual Alberta Young Speakers for Agriculture competition at the Calgary Stampede for her speech on the challenges facing the next generation of farmers. How many of you have a cellphone in your pocket? This is a new phenomenon but as times change, technology […] Read more
Group wants to help new farmers find success
Young Agrarians in B.C. aims to meet the needs of new farmers
Reading Time: 2 minutes It’s no secret that there’s a need for new farmers to join the aging agricultural industry, but new entrants have their own unique challenges. That’s where Young Agrarians, a group designed to meet the needs of the new farmer, comes in. Young Agrarians, formed in B.C. in 2012, launched an Alberta chapter in February. It’s […] Read more
Wants, needs, and some advice for young farmers
When you ask beginning farmers about their priorities, a few key themes quickly emerge
Reading Time: 4 minutes Farm Management Canada recently hosted a fabulous conference in Regina where I was also contributing. The conference was peppered with interactive breakout sessions that made for lively discussion. Three of the questions stuck in my mind and I would like to share five comments on each of those questions with you. I don’t think it […] Read more
Our future Canadian farm leaders need to network
There is incredible diversity in the ag sector and great benefit in sharing ideas with farmers in other sectors
Reading Time: 3 minutes If we are to spread our wings in agriculture, it is often a good idea to look around. We gain an appreciation of the whole of agriculture if we look at all of it, rather than be limited to our sector. There are many good examples of how commitment can bring something into the mainstream. […] Read more
Making room for youth — and youthful thinking — in farming
Young farmers love technology and are excited by change, but they’re often penned in by the walls of tradition
Reading Time: 4 minutes Farmers often lament the lack of youth in agriculture. I would argue that this is not true — there are a lot more baby strollers than walkers at major agricultural conferences, especially ones where technology is highlighted. There may be fewer young farmers, but the young men and women farming today have a broader reach […] Read more
Stepping up to the plate: Young farmers and the need to be involved
How to get young people involved in farm organizations — and why it matters
Reading Time: 6 minutes Farming has a bumper crop of grey hair, and industry veterans worry about where the next generation of leaders will come from. But some are already on the scene. Alberta Farmer asked four young producers what needs to be done to encourage young people to get involved in farm organizations. Mike Vanden Dool Alberta Milk […] Read more
Video contest for young farmers
Grab your camera and tell people Y WE FARM!
Reading Time: < 1 minute What does the future of Canadian agriculture look like to you? Farm Management Canada is looking for videos from young farmers (aged 20 to 40) on that theme. Winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Agricultural Excellence Conference in Winnipeg on Nov. 19-21. Videos must be one minute or less, titled “Y WE FARM […] Read more
Young egg producers offered a deal
Reading Time: < 1 minute Egg Farmers of Alberta has launched a youth development program to help attract young farmers into the industry. The program will accept a maximum of 20 unregistered young egg farmers on a first-come, first-serve basis, for a maximum of 10 years. The program will ensure eggs from participating farms are produced in accordance with industry standards […] Read more
St. Paul dairy farmers named Alberta’s outstanding young farmers
Nicole and Richard Brousseau will represent Alberta and the Northwest Territories at the national Outstanding Young Farmers competition in Quebec City
Reading Time: 2 minutes Dairy farmer Richard Brousseau said what his visibly moved wife Nicole couldn’t upon being named Alberta’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2014. “At first… we didn’t feel we fit the bill, but when we looked into (the program) and what it stood for, we felt very fortunate to be part of this group,” said Richard after […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
