Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

In my previous discussion post I wrote about having access to capital or funds to leverage for more funds in order to start or expand the current operation.
On Sunday I found out that having access to money is not always the issue.
An acquaintance who farms a good 20 minutes away from our home base was contemplating what to do with his mother in-law's home farm. She current rents out the farm beside ours and no one lives in the house or uses the barn (for good reason). Through the conversation we talk about assisting beginning or young farmers. I mention - "I am interested in renting the land or buying the farm." The return comment was that I wouldn't rent the land for $xxx.00. I said - of course I would.
He said well... the current renter is really good to deal with (he rents in excess of 2000 acres and comes from god knows where and trucks all his products to somewhere else). Then I throw it back at him - so... how are we helping young people get started, such as myself or your own son, even when we are willing and able to pay the rent? (recall - the farm is right beside my dad's. No travel required). No comment. He was stuck on the current renter is a good renter (who is considered a larger cash cropper).
Maybe the next question at the local farmer meeting should be - we are asking the government to assist young farmers, what are we willing to do to help young farmers?
The government may well throw it back at us and ask - what are you doing to assist young farmers? Well... we won't let them bid for land, we won't let them rent land, we are reducing our sow herds,...

Views: 286

Replies to This Discussion

Just a thought, the current renter may be a young farmer.

Young farmers need economically viable farm operations to get involved with. These operations may be large or small. As a young farmer I have no interest in trying to start my own operation as there is much more incentive to get involved with established operations that have access to capital and the ability to leverage assets.
The current renter is well over 50 yrs young. So yeah - considering the average age of farmers is mid 50's he would be considered "young".
If it was a young farmer renting the land I would not be concerned at all.

Brett Schuyler said:
Just a thought, the current renter may be a young farmer.

Young farmers need economically viable farm operations to get involved with. These operations may be large or small. As a young farmer I have no interest in trying to start my own operation as there is much more incentive to get involved with established operations that have access to capital and the ability to leverage assets.

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agriculture Minister’s Meeting in Halifax

Pulse Canada joined agricultural leaders, industry stakeholders, parliamentarians, and federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers in Halifax for the meetings around the 2026 Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Agriculture Ministers Meeting, which included a Policy Summit hosted by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. This year's Summit, themed "Building Canada's Agricultural Growth Engine: Policy Priorities for the Next Policy Framework," served as a national forum for dialogue on the policy measures needed to strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability, and long-term resilience of Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector. Discussions centred on innovation, productivity, value-added agriculture, economic growth, and the policy tools required to keep Canadian farmers globally competitive. A recurring theme was ensuring the next policy framework delivers real, measurable outcomes for producers while supporting food security goals. Pulse Canada also participated in an FPT R

Statement On The Canada-uae Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement And Canada-ecuador Free Trade Agreement

Pulse Canada today welcomed the conclusion of Canada-UAE CEPA negotiations and the signing of the Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement. Both are steps toward opening more doors for Canadian pulse crops around the world. “Pulse Canada welcomes two pieces of good news for our industry this week with the conclusion of the Canada-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations and the signing of the Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement (FTA),” said Pulse Canada Chair Shane Strydhorst. “Every new trade agreement is a signal to our growers and processors that Canada is serious about finding new homes for what we grow." The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a major customer for Canada’s pulse industry. In 2025, Canadian growers and exporters shipped $268.6 million worth of pulses to the UAE — over 300,000 tonnes. Lentils made up the bulk of that, at $225.7 million, followed by peas, chickpeas and kidney beans. A full economic partnership with preferential access to the UAE sh

Canadian Beef Research & Knowledge Mobilization Strategy

The Five-Year Canadian Beef Research and Knowledge Mobilization Strategy strengthens Canada’s position as a global leader in sustainable beef production by aligning national priorities in research, innovation and knowledge mobilization to maximize sector-wide impact. Through a highly collaborative process, the Beef Cattle Research Council worked with producers, researchers, extension agents and a broad range of industry stakeholders to revise and update the Five-Year Strategy. Built upon previous iterations, the Strategy reflects both the progress achieved to date and the emerging challenges facing the sector. It recognizes that long-term industry success depends on continual improvements. The Strategy identifies key research and knowledge mobilization priorities to maximize benefits obtained from investments in beef research and extension. It directly supports the industry’s 10-year goals through targeted outcomes that enhance productivity, sustainability and resilience. Achieving t

Canada’s Food Security Strategy Overlooks Those Helping Farmers Use More Tech | OPINION

Canada’s new food security strategy promises billions of dollars for a more affordable and resilient food system. But investments in technology, infrastructure and production will only work if farmers have the knowledge and support to put them into practice. 

Ontario farmers eligible for new $12 million stewardship funding program

Ontario farmers will have access to an additional $12 million in funding aimed at improving efficiency, reducing operating costs and strengthening the long-term sustainability of their operations.

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service