2 December 2009

 To CFBMC for input into Minister Blackburn’s young farmer briefing note;

 As you must be aware, Canadian agriculture is undergoing some extremely challenging times.  Statistics Canada has published some astounding figures:  the average farmer in Canada is 52 years old (2006), we have lost over 60% of our “young farmers” (1991-2006) and 75% of our retiring farmers do not have a designated successor.  To examine how this problem can be dealt with at the young farmer level I provide the following input: 

1.         Two categories of young farmers should be actively “recruited”: 

1. Young farmers from existing farm operations;
2. Young and successful people from industry;

 2.         To take on this task successfully the following phases should be considered: 

1. Motivate.  Potential farmers need to be motivated to either change careers or “stay on / go back to the farm”.  This becomes a campaign in and of itself. Something akin to what the dairy farmers did for the consumption of milk 20 years ago, but, about the farm itself.  The New Holland farmers’ creed is also inspirational (http://www.tntwebdevelopment.com/tff/creed.htm ). 
2. Accessibility.  Farming must become accessible to those with modest experience and little capital.  Farm businesses must be available and funds must be securable.
3. Tools.  New farmers must be provided tools for success.  They must be mentored and “taken under a wing”.  There are lots of services already available and many that are not; but, nobody starting out knows how to find them or even what to look for.  Everything from bookkeeping to taxes to payroll and marketing needs to be made easy for people who are busy trying to grow food.  Expertise and field extension services are particularly helpful for young farmers.
4. Continued Support.  Farming must become an equitable occupation in Canada.  This includes pay, vacation time, etc.  This cannot happen without significant policy intervention.  Farming must be sustainable in economic, environmental and social pillars.  Without succeeding at making farming profitable, regardless of all other initiatives, there will be no more farmers.

3.         In summary, for Canadian farmers to be competitive imported food should meet production, social (labour) and environmental standards deemed essential for Canadian grown food.  This should provide farmers with a more level playing field and help Canadian farmers earn an equitable living.  Our young farmer problem will not be resolved until this is addressed.

Sincerely,

Kent Coates

Nature’s Route Farm