By Denise Faguy, Farms.com
Besides a really good business idea, what does a young farmer need to get started? A number of studies in other countries suggest there are common barriers to attracting new and/or young farmers. Some of these barriers include:
- General problems of the farm sector – these include the changes in the sector over the past generation, as well as migration from rural to urban areas, demographics, and concerns such as access to land, and access to quota, etc.
- Getting started – obtaining required knowledge;
- Education and training, including: technical skills, management skills, and access to support from a support network;
- Startup costs & financing challenges;
- Succession and inheritance issues;
- Decline in rural areas/infrastructure;
- Lifestyle issues – family support, dual-income families, etc.
What is needed to assist new producers? Is a good idea and hard work all that it takes? Entrepreneurial Spirit? Innovative ideas? Technology adoption?
Some people say that the number and types of new entrants are influenced by the degree of confidence that new entrants have in the future of the industry. Do you believe that the agriculture sector is a good place to start as a business? Is it worth taking the risk?
- We would love to hear what you have to say. Share your thoughts with us on Facebook or participate in our discussions threads on OnAg.Farms.com http://ontag.farms.com/profiles/blogs/what-do-new-farmers-need-to-succeed
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- Would you like to volunteer as a case study – what advice would you give other new entrants?
- If you are interested in volunteering as a case study, email Denise Faguy (denise.faguy@farms.com)
Investment in this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP). In Ontario, this program is delivered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council .
JFAO would also like to recognize FarmStart as a major supporter of this initiative.