Young farmers and those interesting in farming are encouraged to participate
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
In an effort to engage Canada’s youth about agriculture, Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay will be hosting a Facebook Live chat on Nov. 25.
Beginning at 10:00 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time (9:00 a.m. in Ontario, 8:00 a.m. in Manitoba, 6:00 a.m. in British Columbia, 7:00 a.m. in Alberta, and 10:30 a.m. in Newfoundland and Labrador), the event will give participants first-hand accounts of what the agriculture sector truly entails.
“Minister MacAulay, along with a panel of youth in agriculture from Atlantic Canada, will talk about their experience in the sector, programs and services for new and young farmers, and future policies and programs for the sector,” says the event’s Facebook page.
Industry representatives say they understand the importance of engaging the next generation of Canadian farmers.
“Any time an agriculture minister is reaching out is a good thing and certainly there’s a lot of conversation in agriculture about succession planning,” said newly-elected OFA president Keith Currie. “(OFA) has been working on it for a number of years and we need to find out exactly what young farmers need. You can offer up money but sometimes they need more than that.”
Farmers are encouraged that the Canadian government is recognizing the need to have more conversations surrounding agriculture – as long as the discussions lead to other initiatives.
“I think it’s awesome to open a forum,” said Megz Reynolds, a peas, lentil and barley farmer from near Swift Current, Saskatchewan. “It’ll be interesting to see where that goes after. Sometimes these conversations happen and nothing else takes place.”