Farm Credit Canada (FCC) says there’s a major opportunity in agriculture today for the next generation to step into a changing industry, for young people and new skills.
Colin Brisbois, FCC’s Vice-President of Products and Market Strategies, says FCC is working to encourage more people to take a look at the industry.
He says the average age of a Canadian producer is now about 56, adding that in recent years we’ve seen about 28,000 agricultural jobs go unfilled. FCC sees a significant demand — not just to transition farms to the next generation, but also to bring in younger people with different skill sets.
“That’s a huge loss, whether it’s sales or other opportunities for growth in the sector,” he said. “But there’s also an exciting opportunity to welcome in people with technology skills, business expertise, or other capabilities, even if they don’t come from a farming background.”
FCC’s strategy goes beyond lending. The organization is positioning itself as a source of education, advice, and opportunity.
He points out that FCC contributed $200,000 to the Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada’s ‘Career in Ag Initiative’, giving younger people a chance to try out ag careers and see first-hand where they could fit in.
Across Canada, FCC supports “smart farms” — test sites for new agricultural technology and innovation. These act as real-world labs where new tools and practices can be trialled before being scaled more broadly. For someone interested in technology and ag, that’s a space full of opportunity, Brisbois says.
One of the FCC’s flagship youth outreach programs is its Young Farmer Summit series. These are full-day, free events open to producers under the age of 40.
Brisbois said the summits are his favourite time of year for FCC — a chance for up-and-coming farmers to “work on the business, not just in it.” The events cover topics like transition planning, financial and business management, and mental health, while offering space for networking.
He emphasized that agriculture is no longer just about traditional production. Whether you’re into data, automation, software, or entrepreneurship, there’s a growing role for those skills in the industry. He says FCC is committed to helping youth not only with financing, but also with knowledge-sharing and innovation.
FCC kicks off its free Young Farmers Summit series tomorrow in Winnipeg with events across the country. Upcoming events for the prairies include Red Deer on December 11th, February 10th in Regina, and February 25th in Lethbridge. More details are available on FCC’s website.
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