Lazy T Farm is located on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional gathering place, travelling route and home for many Indigenous Peoples including the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Cree, Michif Piyii (Métis), Tsuu T’ina, and Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ) nations. The land is also known in Canadian geography as Halkirk, Alberta.
This case study is a part of Young Agrarians Alberta Land Access Guide, a toolkit for farmers seeking land opportunities.
Brett and Jenna live and farm on Lazy T Farm, which was homesteaded in 1904 by Jenna’s great great grandfather. The farm has since been transitioned through the females in the family, and currently the fourth and fifth generation are farming on Lazy T.
Jenna’s parents, Tony and Clara, did not inherit the farm. They began renting some of the land and buying a few of Clara’s parents’ cows. They helped with the farming in exchange for use of farm equipment, and eventually purchased the land and all the cattle. The purchase of the home quarter included a lifelong right to live on the property, and that combined with Clara’s parents holding the mortgage gave them peace of mind that the farm was safely held within the family, and with people who shared the love of the land.
The first year Brett and Jenna farmed on Lazy T together, they were paid a wage by the farm. The second year, they brought in their own enterprises but were still helping Jenna’s parents and paid wages. They are now deciding how to proceed with their involvement in the farm. As the farm is incorporated, Brett and Jenna could buy into the corporation using their herd as an asset to trade for shares; or remain independent by keeping their enterprises separate. In any case, Jenna’s parents’ retirement will be supplemented with Brett and Jenna’s rent or rent-to-own payments for the land.
Jenna’s parents introduced new management styles when they joined the farm, and Brett and Jenna are no different. Jenna’s parents ‘leave room for us to change and grow.” Farm meetings have become a MUST, and are treated as a business meeting with recorded minutes. They all work with succession planners, attend holistic management courses and other trainings together, and have a conscious relationship outside of work and the farm.
There is a lot of uncertainty in starting farm enterprises and working through farm transition. What keeps them ‘sticking around’ is their involvement with the Prairie Farm Project – a partnership of Central Albertan young farmers ‘producing good food and having a good time doing it.’ The community of young, like-minded farmers keeps them passionate about what they are doing, holds them to their values, and keeps them accountable.
Interested in exploring a career in regenerative farming in Alberta? Here are some helpful places to start:
- The Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program is a full immersion program that puts you into the heart of running a farm business, day in and day out.
- The Business Bootcamp is a pay-what-you-can online, community-based program that will give you the space and skills to write a stellar business plan for the farm of your dreams.
- The YA U-MAP is an online tool that can link you to nearby educational, land, and job opportunities!
- Sign-Up for the YA Newsletter to receive the latest updates on news, events, and jobs.
- Join the Young Agrarians Alberta Facebook group, an online community of regenerative farmers in Alberta.
Have any additional questions? Send us a message to alberta@youngagrarians.org