FarmStart

It is clear there is a need to support a new generation of farmers to meet the growing demand for locally grown, ecological produced and culturally appropriate fresh produce in southern Ontario.

Jeff picking garlic at Whole Circle Farm.

The loss of farmers and the lack of young people taking their place will soon become a very real problem for the Canadian domestic food supply. With an average age of farm operators at 52, and some 80% of current farmers looking to sell or transfer their farms in the next ten years, agriculture faces difficult succession / intergeneration transfer issues. The difficulties, risks and disincentives facing those who wish to start a farm enterprise are often overwhelming and discouraging.

FarmStart aims to work with four different groups of future farmers:

• –> Young people from farm backgrounds
• –> Young people who are new to farming
• –> Second career farmers
• –> New Canadian farmers

As a means to promote success and sustainability in new agricultural enterprises, we will encourage new farmers to engage in entrepreneurial strategies that take into account economic and structural barriers facing young and new farmers, issues related to environmental stewardship and emerging trends in consumer demand.

This means thinking about agriculture and farming in innovative and new ways. This may include:

• –> urban, near-urban, and rural farms;
  
• –> cooperative farm facilities and marketing strategies;
  
• –> small-plot, high value, intensive agriculture;
  
• –> mid-scale, precision farming techniques;
  
• –> no-till organic agriculture;
  
• –> new market opportunities and food chain linkages;
  
• –> innovative business models;
  
• –> and unique and value added products.

Next >>> Ecological Agriculture