Great food requires great farmers. And that’s going to be a problem, if some current trends continue.
Farming was a way of life for the earliest generations of Canadian immigrants. Many arrivals from Europe were lured to Canada by the opportunity to homestead, to clear and settle land on remote and beautiful landscapes. Often their children carried on the tradition. But in recent decades, that has begun to change. Farm families are smaller these days, and many kids who grow up on a farm eventually leave for the excitement of the city or the convenience of the suburb. As a result, the average age of farmers in Canada is rising, and many older farmers have put off retirement for fear that there is no one to take over the farm once they stop toiling. Some also cannot afford to retire, and many stay on the land because it is what they love. Although the numbers of young people interested in agriculture as a career are not keeping pace with what would be needed to sustain existing farms in North America, there is a silver lining: those who do choose farming seem to be highly motivated, especially by such values as sustainability and environmental consciousness. They also tend to be more likely to embrace organic farming methods. As a group, organic farmers comprise a younger demographic, an average age of 53 years according to one study, compared with an overall average of nearly 60 for farmers in North America. For most of human existence, of course, farming wasn’t a career choice that was made based on idealistic principles. People worked the land because they had to. The workday was sun-up to sundown, with zero vacation pay or benefits. It wasn’t glamorous, but any community whose younger generation decided that farming was for squares wasn’t going to be around long. Today, the same affluence that is making it possible for farm kids to find new careers in metropolitan areas is also making farming itself a more secure, stable and comfortable career. It’s still hard work, and always will be. But today grain harvesting combines feature air-conditioned cabins and WiFi. Computer software guides decisions about planting, purchasing and marketing. And the young farmers themselves often come with college degrees and extensive knowledge of the soil, botany and other highly relevant academic specialties. Today’s young farmers are frequently motivated by a back-to-the-land philosophy as well, a respect for nature and a devotion to the planet. Many of these young farmers also share an interest in healthy food, which dovetails with their commitment to organic agriculture. They take a great deal of pride in bringing their harvests to the local farmers market, knowing they are offering clean, healthy and transparently-grown vegetables, grains and fruits to customers, who are often their neighbors. In turn, these farmers are respected, honored and valued by the local community. And in the end, that may be the best recruitment tool of all Comments are closed.
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AuthorJason Hill is a respected entrepreneur and innovator who learned important lessons about life, business and success growing up in Six Nations, Ontario. Archives
January 2023
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