Farming in Canada is changing. Young people say they can’t get a foothold

The landscape of farming in Saskatchewan is undergoing a significant transformation, with shifts in agricultural trends making it increasingly challenging for young farmers to get a start in the industry. Julie Maxwell, a small vegetable farmer and president of the youth branch of the National Farmers Union, emphasizes that despite the perception that young people are not interested in farming, many aspiring farmers dream of starting their own farms but struggle to see how it’s financially viable.

One of the key factors contributing to the financial barriers faced by new farmers is the trend of big investors and large agricultural companies buying up land in Saskatchewan and leasing it back to farmers. This approach has led to a 15.7 per cent increase in the average price of farmland in the province, as reported by Farm Credit Canada. As a result, smaller family farms are finding it difficult to expand their operations, putting farming out of reach for those looking to enter the industry.

Robert Andjelic, a major investor in Saskatchewan farmland, argues that the assertion that smaller farms are struggling is false, highlighting that most sales he deals with are for much larger plots of land that young farmers wouldn’t be able to afford. However, data from Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census of Agriculture shows that the average farm size in Saskatchewan is almost double the national average, indicating a trend towards larger farms in the province.

While the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture maintains that the majority of farms in the province are family-run businesses, Maxwell believes that investor activity has played a significant role in driving up farmland prices and making smaller farms less financially viable. She notes that many young farmers aspire to run small-scale operations focused on feeding their communities, but feel that these noble goals are increasingly out of reach.

Market pressures and rising costs are pushing farms to expand in order to remain financially viable. Terry Boehm, a fourth-generation grain farmer, points to high equipment costs and stagnant commodity prices as factors driving the need for farms to scale up. As he grapples with the challenge of passing on his family farm, Boehm emphasizes the importance of attracting new farmers to the industry to ensure its future sustainability.

Maxwell calls for more government support for young farmers, particularly those looking to provide produce directly to local markets. She believes that the current focus on larger export-oriented operations is neglecting the needs of small-scale farmers. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada acknowledges the importance of youth and young farmers in the sector, highlighting programs like Farm Credit Canada’s loan products and the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership as initiatives to support new farmers.

As the agricultural sector in Saskatchewan continues to evolve, there is a growing need to address the challenges faced by young farmers and ensure that the industry remains accessible and sustainable for future generations. By fostering a supportive environment for small-scale farmers and prioritizing the needs of local communities, the province can work towards a more inclusive and resilient agricultural landscape.