Blog Category: Surveys

New farmers & Food Policy in Canada – Survey Results

Posted by Michalina Hunter on May 14, 2019

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 is a summary of the paper with a few highlights. Please download the whole paper for more detail here: New farmers and food policies in Canada By Julia Laforge (Lakehead University), Ayla Fenton (Farmer and on Board of Directors, National Farmers Union), Virginie Lavalée-Picard (Farmer), Stéphane McLachlan (University of … Continue reading New farmers & Food Policy in Canada – Survey Results →

Results from the BC Food Hub Network Industry Survey

Posted by Michalina Hunter on May 06, 2019

These results reflect responses from 205 food producers and/or processors in BC. The Industry Survey is a supporting component of the BC Food Hub Network initiative led by the Ministry of Agriculture. More information on this initiative and development of the Industry Survey can be found below. Based on the response rate, the results were divided into regions – South Coast (Lower Mainland), Okanagan, Vancouver Island and Coast, and ‘Other’ which includes Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Thompson Nicola, Kootenay, Omineca Skeena and Peace. Below is a summary of the high-level survey findings: The majority of respondents are small businesses – with … Continue reading Results from the BC Food Hub Network Industry Survey →

SURVEY: Financing for Value-Added Processors

Posted by Michalina Hunter on April 24, 2019

Do you do incorporate any value-added activity in your business? The Small Scale Food Processor Association is carrying out a project to determine needs for financing at all stages of business development. Please contribute with your experiences! “We have heard over the years that finding financing to start up and to grow is one of the major issues facing small scale food processors. The more we know about you and your business, the better we will be able to understand financing needs. Once we have a clear picture of the issues small scale food processors face, we will be working with financing … Continue reading SURVEY: Financing for Value-Added Processors →

Are you a certified organic farmer in Canada? Tell us about it!

Posted by Michalina Hunter on April 22, 2019

Are you a Certified Organic Farmer in Canada? Please take this survey to contribute to research on the social, environmental, and business motivations of organic producers in Canada. This survey, designed by a research team from the University of Guelph, is collecting information on the motivations of Canadian organic farmers to farm organically. If you are a certified organic farmer and over 18 then you can participate! Take the Survey here: https://uoguelph.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bdBsBwpugMNXXzD Background information Organic agriculture is growing fast and that is a good thing! However that also means that the organic movement is evolving. While this is true for all actors in … Continue reading Are you a certified organic farmer in Canada? Tell us about it! →

SURVEY: Understanding Farmers’ Need for Seed!

Posted by Michalina Hunter on March 29, 2019

Seed Savers Exchange is looking for insight from farmers and seed breeders about how you source seeds. Please consider taking the short survey. Thank you! Survey for BREEDERS: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SSEBreederSurvey Survey for FARMERS: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SSEFarmerSurvey Seed Savers Exchange is a non-profit that aims to conserve and promote America’s culturally diverse but endangered garden and food crop heritage by collecting, growing, and sharing heirloom seeds and plants. We are seeking to understand how farmers source seeds and how this process can be improved. Providing input from your experiences will help us better serve the farming community. Questions about this survey can be directed to kgilbery@seedsavers.org

Are you a direct marketing farmer in Canada? Please take this survey!

Posted by Michalina Hunter on February 27, 2019

Are you a Direct Marketing Farmer? Please take this survey to contribute to research on the economic and social impacts of direct farm marketing in Canada. Research title: Assumed virtues or tangible benefits? An analysis of the economic and social impacts of short food supply chains in Canada Take the Survey here: https://survey.cirano.qc.ca/index.php/429639?token=DsnWz94Nf9z5q46&lang=en Research Aim Our research aim is to look at the impacts of direct marketing on farms, farmers and local development in Canada. Direct marketing involves at most one middleman between the producer and the consumer (e.g. farm stand, farmers’ market, sales to restaurants, etc.). The requested information relates to the … Continue reading Are you a direct marketing farmer in Canada? Please take this survey! →

Prospective and Unrealized Farmers in BC: We want you!

Posted by Michalina Hunter on February 25, 2019 2 Comments

The BC Ministry of Agriculture is coordinating focus groups to develop their New Entrants to Farming Strategy. They are currently recruiting for two web-based focus groups: Are you planning to enter farming or ranching in the next 10 years? (Prospective) Within the last 10 years, did you start or consider starting a career in farming, but then decide not to continue? (Unrealized) The total time commitment is 1-3 hours and participants will receive a $75 gift card. To Participate Anyone who would like to take part in online focus groups can contact Malatest toll-free 1-866-247-6465 and refer to the Agriculture Focus … Continue reading Prospective and Unrealized Farmers in BC: We want you! →

Survey for New BC Farmers: Deadline Feb 22, 2019

Posted by Michalina Hunter on February 03, 2019

Calling all new farmers (years 1-10)! Time to get your survey on! Submit your feedback by February 22nd, 2019 to the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and let them know what your needs as a farmer are. Are you responsible for the management decisions for a farm, ranch, agricultural business or new farming enterprise, and did you enter farming in the last 10 years? If you answered yes, please take this short survey! CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY The survey will take approximately 15 minutes – 20 minutes to complete. Deadline: The survey will be available until February 22nd 2019. About the Survey The … Continue reading Survey for New BC Farmers: Deadline Feb 22, 2019 →

Our new Central B.C. Coordinator is looking for your input!

Posted by Sara Dent on October 14, 2018

MEET YOUR CENTRAL B.C. COORDINATOR: Robin Hunt is a market gardener from the Cariboo Region of B.C. She is excited to join the Young Agrarians team and work with farmers around the region. She currently farms with her husband Johan Bos at Big Rock Ranch in Buffalo Creek, B.C. Here they raise free range heritage chickens rotationally on pasture, run a mixed fruit/vegetable market garden and tiny home B&B, with a large focus on animal welfare and soil health. They feel strongly about building community, their local economy and supporting it by investing locally. Questions? Get in touch with Robin here: centralbc@youngagrarians.org WILLIAMS LAKE … Continue reading Our new Central B.C. Coordinator is looking for your input! →

ALR REVITALIZATION

Posted by Darcy Smith on March 01, 2018

Are you a farmer leasing ALR land? Have you come up against any challenges around housing regulations, taxation issues, or agricultural status? Are there ways you hope to see the ALR work better for you as a farm operator? Currently there is a review underway of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to enable B.C. farmers, farmland owners and the public to have an opportunity to have their voices heard this spring, and help revitalize the ALR. The ALR has two main mandates: protect farmland and promote farming. This review is framed by the Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham, to review … Continue reading ALR REVITALIZATION →