Programs

FarmStart began as an Incubator Farm near Guelph, (inspired by the Intervale in Vermont) in order to provide a supportive and relatively low risk way for people from non-farm backgrounds to explore and enter the sector.

We have since expanded, developed and piloted various programs in response to the needs of the prospective and current start up farmers in Ontario. We work primarily with New Canadians, young people from non-farm backgrounds and second career farmers.

We approach our programs and services within a ‘sustainable livelhoods’ framework. We believe a new farmer needs develop a wide range of skills and build a variety of different assets to be successful. And you can not just provide a new farmer with land,  then need social and financial capital and they need skills and networks. So within each of our program areas we aim to provide practical tools, financial and physical resources and skills and confidence building opportunities, as well as helping new farmers to build important peer and mentor networks.