Essays and Opinions

Photo by Damaris Riedinger Elly of Late Bloomers Flower Farm is a participant in the B.C. Land Matching Program, which provides land matching and business support services to new farmers looking for land to farm, as well as landowners interested in finding someone to farm their land. Visit the B.C. Land Matching Program page to learn more about the program and

Can two unconventional friends keep a decades-old family farm from disappearing? COUNTING ON A NEW CROP is a short documentary directed by Brina Romanek, produced in partnership with CBCShort Docs. The film follows best friends, Sixty-six-year-old farmer Jim Giffen and quiet, 23 year-old electrician, Jonas they struggle to keep Edencrest Farm alive. Before Giffen met

Photo courtesy of farmlove.org We dug up the results from a national new farmer survey conducted a few years ago. A paper was recently published on the study, and we want to share the results with you! Pour yourself a cup of tea and delve into the challenges and opportunities for Canadian farmers with us. Below

By Tessa Wetherill, Okanagan Land Matcher in our B.C. Land Matching Program Listening to people is just as fascinating as listening to plants. For the first growing season in 12 years, I won’t be farming as my primary occupation, instead I’m joyfully continuing on in the role of the Okanagan Land Matcher with the B.C. Land Matching

By Wendy Bennett, CRSP, Executive Director, AgSafe Falls from ladders are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries. Sprains and strains are the most common types of injuries associated with ladder use resulting from overreaching, shifting weight or body position, and lifting or carrying ladders. Tripod ladders, also known as orchard ladders, are commonly used by

John Hofer, a farmer in our Young Agrarians network, is calling all small-scale veggie farmers and supporters of local agriculture to sign his petition. The petition is asking WorkSafeBC to set a lower insurance rate standard for small-scale vegetable growers. WORKSAFEBC – BACKGROUND The WorkSafeBC website describes how industries are classified in order to set premium rates.

EDITOR’S NOTE: In this article, Stephanie Gordon follows the stories of several young farmers getting started in agriculture careers. She explores the barriers faced by new farmers in Ontario, including rising land prices, and equipment costs — and the differences between those who have grown up in farming families, and those new to farming. She also notes smaller-scale farming enterprises can

Inspired by Stone Barns Centre for Food & Agriculture’s recently published book Letter to a Young Farmer: On Food, Farming and Our Future, Young Agrarians invited young farmers to write Letters to an Elder Farmer. As young farmers, we walk in the footsteps of those that have come before us caring for the land and cultivating a

“May those who are hungry be fed.” – Tess Taylor, Work & Days Dear elder farmer, My partner, Justin, and I farm five acres of organic fruits, vegetables and herbs in southwestern Manitoba on the La Salle river — a slow-moving river that widens and narrows throughout mostly agricultural land before emptying into the famed

Dear Elder Farmer, When raised the question what we as youth or new farmers need from our elders—the experienced, the weathered—the answer is complex in details, but simple in theory. My name is Ian Griebel. I was born and raised on a small farm outside of Castor, Alta. But like most of the young people today,