GROWING CONNECTIONS TO THE LAND AND EACH OTHER SINCE 2012

“Young Agrarians exists to ensure new and young farmers have access to land and are able to thrive, which is such a valuable resource at a time when Canada needs to focus on local agriculture in the face of climate change. Having someone to support and connect you to larger networks of producers, knowledge sharers and other resources is key to creating vibrant agricultural communities.

 

I signed up for the B.C. Land Matching Program because the price of farmland was prohibitively expensive, so I needed to start off by sharing land. I also wanted to ensure that all of my efforts in soil rebuilding were protected. Creating a strong lease agreement with educational support from the Land Matcher helped put my worries to rest.

 

Having a farm that is directly impacted by the devastating effects of climate change is going to be a huge challenge for all farmers. Young Agrarians is supporting ecological farms that not only reduce emissions, but will also help communities be more resilient to the challenges of tomorrow.”

“Young Agrarians met such a huge need for me, providing access to so many different programs, services, and resources. They are a holistic organization addressing many of the challenges facing new farmers today.

 

I don’t know where I would have gotten without the specific resources and skills provided by YA. YA enabled me to fast track – I’m up and running with my business after only a couple of seasons of working on farms – and pretty successfully. It gave me such a solid foundation, especially the business planning support portion. I really appreciated the ability to talk to a relatable person who understood the challenges and barriers I was facing. It has been such a supportive environment. YA understands the importance of cultivating community – it gives me hope.”

“To me, Young Agrarians means community and has provided me with a farming community – people to know and meet and share desires and aspirations with. People to give advice, support, and a listening ear about my journey. I was on my own starting this process and it has been so helpful to hear about the experiences of other farmers. The YA Apprenticeship Program opened my mind and provided different perspectives and inspiration. Those stories still keep me going, now more than a year later.

 

As someone who immigrated to Canada as an adult, I want to help other immigrants access locally-grown quality food. I plan to provide accessible and affordable food to the community so we can be less dependent on imports. Farming is a labor of love. It has to be for people.”