Blog Category: Policy

Policy for new and young farmers

National New Farmer Framework – Policy Report

Posted by Ayla Fenton on May 11, 2025

[EN; texte français ci-dessous] New and equity-seeking farmers face significant challenges in accessing land, capital, knowledge and training, hindering the growth of new farming enterprises. The current policy landscape fails to adequately address the needs of new farmers, which threatens the long-term sustainability of Canadian agriculture. A National New Farmer Framework is urgently needed to ensure farm renewal. This Framework should address the most pressing systemic barriers facing new entrants—from access to land, capital, knowledge and training, and rural community development—while also developing essential wrap-around supports to help new farmers succeed. A national framework, complemented by provincial new entrant strategies, … Continue reading National New Farmer Framework – Policy Report →

Growing Future Farmers Engagement Tool: Policy Brief

Posted by Ayla Fenton on April 18, 2025

[EN; texte français ci-dessous] Engagement Tool: Growing Future Farmers Policy Brief  The upcoming 2025 Federal Election presents a unique opportunity to address the pressures and challenges confronting new farmers.  In consultation with new and equity-seeking farmers and farming organizations across the country, we have developed a National New Farmer Framework report.  Pre- and post-election is a great time to engage your local representatives to discuss how agricultural policy can better support new farmers and farm renewal for the future! Check out our pre-election Growing Future Farmers policy brief for download.  You can use this resource for speaking points, or even … Continue reading Growing Future Farmers Engagement Tool: Policy Brief →

EVENT RECAP: National Policy Jam, March 15-16, 2025

Posted by Ayla Fenton on March 31, 2025

[EN; texte français ci-dessous] Over 70 agriculturally involved folks gathered from March 15-16 at the RKY Camp on Anishinaabe Algonquin territory in Parham, ON for YA’s inaugural  “Breaking Barriers: Growing Future Farmers” National Policy Jam! This event was made possible thanks to funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Sustainable Agricultural Partnership, the National Farmers Union – Ontario, Carrot Cache, and the Food Communities Network. We sourced the majority of our food locally and are incredibly grateful to the farmers and folks at Almanac Grain, County Bounty Soda, Food Less Travelled, Generations Apiary, Haanover View Farms, Hall’s Apples, Heartwood Cider, Kebaonish … Continue reading EVENT RECAP: National Policy Jam, March 15-16, 2025 →

EVENT RECAP: Merville, BC – Production, Policy and Community Mixer for Market Gardeners

Posted by Kat Roger on March 17, 2025

On February 22, 53 people gathered in the Merville Community Hall on Vancouver Island to share stories, build community and brainstorm future farming policies for vegetable farmers in BC. Co-hosted with the National Farmers Union (NFU), attendees also included folks from LUSH Valley Food Action Society, the Mid-Island Farmers Institute and the South Island Farmers Institute in addition to the North Island regional agrologist, a representative from the Agricultural Land Commission and a collection of enthusiastic farmers, researchers and farmer allies from all over the Lower Mainland.  Over the day, we shared laughter, tears and discussions about the future of … Continue reading EVENT RECAP: Merville, BC – Production, Policy and Community Mixer for Market Gardeners →

Mar 1, 2025: ARMSTRONG, BC – Pastured Poultry Production and Policy Primer at Fresh Valley Farms

Posted by Kat Roger on January 31, 2025

You’re invited to a Pastured Poultry Production and Policy Primer at Fresh Valley Farms in Armstrong, B.C. co-hosted by Young Agrarians and the Small-Scale Meat Producers Association (SSMPA). Join us if you want to learn about raising poultry, connect with other poultry farmers or share your experiences and ideas for provincial and national farm policy. We will gather at Fresh Valley Farms, a fourth-generation certified organic farm run by Annelise Grube-Cavers and Steve Meggait, who raise beef, chicken, turkey and heritage pork on pasture.  The day will start with an introduction circle, followed by a primer on the SSMPA from … Continue reading Mar 1, 2025: ARMSTRONG, BC – Pastured Poultry Production and Policy Primer at Fresh Valley Farms →

Feb 22, 2025: MERVILLE, BC – Production, Policy and Community Mixer for Market Gardeners

Posted by Kat Roger on January 16, 2025

Calling all market gardeners! You’re invited to a Production, Policy and Community Mixer on Saturday, February 22 in Merville, BC. This event will be co-hosted by Young Agrarians and the National Farmers Union (NFU), a direct-membership, farmer-led organization that has advocated for food systems rooted in social and economic justice as well as agroecology and international agrarian solidarity since 1969.  Join us to hear stories from successful market gardeners, share resources, connect with other farmers and food lovers, share a delicious meal and build community around vegetable farming in BC. This event will also provide you with an opportunity to … Continue reading Feb 22, 2025: MERVILLE, BC – Production, Policy and Community Mixer for Market Gardeners →

FEB 4 OR 13, 2025: ONLINE – PRAIRIES VIRTUAL FARMER POLICY CIRCLES

Posted by JoHana Harcourt on January 08, 2025

WHAT DO YOU WANT POLICYMAKERS TO KNOW ABOUT THE FUTURE OF FARMING?  Let’s talk about it. You’re invited to a series of virtual brainstorming and consultation sessions on February 4 and 13, 2025 to share your experiences, ideas, and insights into how the provincial and national policy landscape can better serve new and young farmers. Since 2012, Young Agrarians (YA) has worked to support the growing wave of new and young people coming into agriculture. Through hands-on program delivery, YA’s farmer-to-farmer approach supports farmers to tackle barriers ranging from access to land and capital, to technical and regulatory requirements, to … Continue reading FEB 4 OR 13, 2025: ONLINE – PRAIRIES VIRTUAL FARMER POLICY CIRCLES →

FEB 6 AND 11, 2025: ONLINE – B.C. VIRTUAL FARMER POLICY CIRCLES

Posted by Kat Roger on January 07, 2025

WHAT DO YOU WANT POLICYMAKERS TO KNOW ABOUT THE FUTURE OF FARMING?  Let’s talk about it. You’re invited to a series of virtual brainstorming and consultation sessions on February 6 and 11, 2025 to share your experiences, ideas, and insights into how the provincial and national policy landscape can better serve new and young farmers. Since 2012, Young Agrarians (YA) has worked to support the growing wave of new and young people coming into agriculture. Through hands-on program delivery, YA’s farmer-to-farmer approach supports farmers to tackle barriers ranging from access to land and capital, to technical and regulatory requirements, to … Continue reading FEB 6 AND 11, 2025: ONLINE – B.C. VIRTUAL FARMER POLICY CIRCLES →

MAR 5, 2025: ONLINE – GROWING KNOWLEDGE & ADAPTATION SUPPORTS

Posted by Melana Roberts on December 20, 2024

CURIOUS ABOUT FARMER MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS? LOOKING FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR YOUR FARM? UNSURE WHERE TO START? JOIN THE CONVERSATION! With approximately ⅔ of new farmers in Canada not coming from family farm backgrounds, many have limited access to inter-generational knowledge. making it tougher to  weather unpredictable weather changes, assess soil conditions, predict market demands and volatility, and adapt. This capacity is essential for new farmers, many of which have limited access to capital and access to land, to stay afloat in a changing agricultural landscape. In this final instalment of the Breaking Barriers: Growing Future Farmers Webinar Series, we will … Continue reading MAR 5, 2025: ONLINE – GROWING KNOWLEDGE & ADAPTATION SUPPORTS →

FEB 12, 2025: ONLINE – ACCESSING CAPITAL

Posted by Melana Roberts on December 20, 2024

LOOKING FOR OPERATING CAPITAL? WANT TO UNDERSTAND FARM CAPITAL IN CANADA? INTERESTED IN NEW APPROACHES TO ACCESS FUNDING FOR FARMING? In Canada, the agricultural sector is at a crossroads, with new, young, and underrepresented farmers facing significant challenges to accessing the capital needed to succeed. The third installment of the “Breaking Barriers: Growing Future Farmers” webinar series will shine a light on this critical issue, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support to empower the next generation of farmers. At the heart of the struggle for many aspiring farmers is the concept of market failure in Canadian agriculture. Market failure is … Continue reading FEB 12, 2025: ONLINE – ACCESSING CAPITAL →