Blog Category: Uncategorized

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 →

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 →

BUSINESS BOOTCAMP FOR NEW FARMERS – NEXT COHORT STARTS JANUARY 15!

Posted by Chantelle Chan on December 19, 2024

The Business Bootcamp is an eleven-week program, packed full of content and activities that will guide you through writing your farm business plan. Registration in the course includes access to a 40 page printable workbook, over 35 video tutorials, a curated list of more than 80 of our favourite business planning resources, and 20+ hours of virtual support and instruction, all broken down into easily digestible weekly modules. Each week will include pre-recorded videos, a worksheet, and a 2-hour online session The Business Bootcamp will cover everything from writing a mission statement to creating a financial plan to defining a marketing … Continue reading BUSINESS BOOTCAMP FOR NEW FARMERS – NEXT COHORT STARTS JANUARY 15! →

YA BUSINESS MENTORSHIP NETWORK – The Farm Next Door

Posted by Melanie Buffel on July 10, 2024

Young Agrarians is celebrating the tenth year of the Business Mentorship Network (BMN) program in BC and the second year of the program in the Prairies! If you are a new farmer or the next generation to take on your family farm and need support to figure out the business aspects of your farm consider applying for the 2024/2025 cohort. The BMN offers business mentorships to a diverse array of new and young farmers/ranchers/producers. Through one-on-one mentorship, peer networks and online workshops new farmers develop the skills necessary to operate ecologically sustainable and financially viable farm businesses. Apply for the … Continue reading YA BUSINESS MENTORSHIP NETWORK – The Farm Next Door →

YA BUSINESS MENTORSHIP NETWORK – The Yellow House Farm

Posted by Melanie Buffel on June 27, 2024

Young Agrarians is celebrating the tenth year of the Business Mentorship Network (BMN) program in BC and the second year of the program in the Prairies! If you are a new farmer or the next generation to take on your family farm and need support to figure out the business aspects of your farm consider applying for the 2024/2025 cohort. The BMN offers business mentorships to a diverse array of new and young farmers/ranchers/producers. Through one-on-one mentorship, peer networks and online workshops new farmers develop the skills necessary to operate ecologically sustainable and financially viable farm businesses. Apply for the … Continue reading YA BUSINESS MENTORSHIP NETWORK – The Yellow House Farm →

Meet Pinette of Fairfolk Farm!

Posted by Chantelle Chan on April 19, 2024

Pinette Robinson was a part of the Business Bootcamp for New Farmers program, and we wanted to share her perspectives with the new and aspiring farmers in our network. Want more stories of other farmers? Check out the links at the bottom of this post!  Please share a bit about yourself and about your farm! What do you grow or want to grow? My name is Pinette Robinson (she/her). I own and operate Fairfolk Farm with my husband Brandon (he/him). We are currently growing mixed vegetables that we sell at farmers markets. In the spring of 2024 we will be … Continue reading Meet Pinette of Fairfolk Farm! →

Meet Brian Tattam of Tattam Valley Farms!

Posted by Chantelle Chan on April 19, 2024

Brian Tattam was a part of the Business Bootcamp for New Farmers program, and we wanted to share his perspectives with the new and aspiring farmers in our network. Want more stories of other farmers? Check out the links at the bottom of this post! Please share a bit about yourself and about your farm.  What do you grow or want to grow?  My name is Brian Tattam (he/him), and I grew up in the Cowichan Valley on a dairy farm. My family does not dairy farm anymore, but still owns the 100 acres. The land has been in the … Continue reading Meet Brian Tattam of Tattam Valley Farms! →

Meet Trent Romanow of Cluck and Clove Farm!

Posted by Chantelle Chan on April 19, 2024

Trent Romanow was a part of the Business Bootcamp for New Farmers program, and we wanted to share his perspectives with the new and aspiring farmers in our network. Want more stories of other farmers? Check out the links at the bottom of this post! Please share a bit about yourself and about your farm. What do you grow or want to grow? Trent Romanow (he/him), father of 3 boys 3, 5 and 10. My partner Katie and I have a 40 acre farm, Cluck and Clove Farm, just west of Edmonton. We have only 1 acre in production. We … Continue reading Meet Trent Romanow of Cluck and Clove Farm! →

Meet MC Pace of Salt + Sickle Homestead

Posted by Chantelle Chan on April 19, 2024

MC Pace was a part of the Business Bootcamp for New Farmers program, and we wanted to share their perspectives with the new and aspiring farmers in our network. Want more stories of other farmers? Check out the links at the bottom of this post! Please share a bit about yourself and about your farm. My name is MC Pace [they/them], and I am currently gearing up for my second year of farming. I grow food and flowers on 7 acres in the Annapolis Valley (Sipekne’katik), upon Unceded Mi’kima’ki (Nova Scotia). What is the name of your farm? Salt+Sickle Homestead. … Continue reading Meet MC Pace of Salt + Sickle Homestead →

Meet Guru Khalsa of Earthmother Farm!

Posted by Chantelle Chan on April 19, 2024

Guru Khalsa was a part of the Business Bootcamp for New Farmers program, and we wanted to share his perspectives with the new and aspiring farmers in our network. Want more stories of other farmers? Check out the links at the bottom of this post! Please share a bit about yourself and about your farm. What do you grow or want to grow? Hi, my first name is Gurudayal, and I generally go by Guru (he/him). My farm’s name is Earthmother Farm, and we are based near Owen Sound, Ontario. My parents purchased this farm property over a decade ago … Continue reading Meet Guru Khalsa of Earthmother Farm! →