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: 252

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

Expanding Farm Tech Could Boost Canadian Food Security & Stability

Dr. John Cranfield offers ideas about enhancing Canadian food security and stability.

Environmental and Pasture Awards Presented at BFO's 2025 AGM

The Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) is pleased to announce Van Osch Farms as the 2025 Ontario recipients of The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA), sponsored by the RBC Royal Bank. The award was presented to the family at BFO’s 2025 Annual General Meeting Banquet, which was held in Toronto, this week.

Elgin County Beef Farmer Receives 2025 DLF Pasture Award

The Beef Farmers of Ontario, DLF, and the Ontario Forage Council, are pleased to announce that Abbey Taylor of Dawn Farm of Belmont in Elgin County is the recipient of the 2025 DLF Pasture Award. The award was presented today at the Beef Farmers of Ontario Annual General Meeting in Toronto.

Van Osch Farms Receives Award in Recognition of Environmental Stewardship

The Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) is pleased to announce Van Osch Farms as the 2025 Ontario recipients of The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA), sponsored by the RBC Royal Bank. The award was presented to the family at BFO’s 2025 Annual General Meeting Banquet, which was held in Toronto, this week. Van Osch Farms, operated by the Van Osch family – Fred, Gerald, Brendon and Kurt – is located in Middlesex County.

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service