GUELPH, Ont. – Beginning farmers were among the beneficiaries when the Ontario government announced in July that it would continue to fund its cost-of-production-based Risk Management Program for at least one more year.
Eligibility to join the insurance program for 2010 is limited to farmers who received a risk management program payment in 2008 or 2009.
However, farmers who entered the business after Jan. 1, 2008, will be eligible for coverage whether they have qualified for a past payment or not.
Ontario agriculture minister Carol Mitchell says it is a small illustration of the Liberal government’s commitment to encourage new farmers to start farming.
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“One of the things we will continue to work on from the government’s point of view is when new policy comes forward, programs come forward, let’s put the lens on it from a new farmer, whether that be a younger or older farmer or a different kind of farmer who wants to grow different foods that are not currently in traditional types of farming,” she said.
When the risk management program extension for grains and oilseeds was announced, “there was a specific clause that spoke to new farmers and that’s just one example.”
Mitchell said the new farmer lens extends to how the education system is helping prepare the next generation and how financial programs work.
“When we look at the whole puzzle through the lens of a new farmer, I think it’s going to be the critical piece.”
The agriculture minister has a “starting a farm” section on its web-site that offers advice, explains existing programs and suggests what someone thinking about getting into the business should do first.
“If you have conducted a self-assessment and you want to pursue farming as a career, the first thing is to invest in educating yourself to determine what will be the core business of your farming operation,” the department advises.
“Talk to other farmers, attend workshops, seminars and trade shows. Seek out mentorship programs or work as an employee on a farm to gain practical experience.”
When Mitchell spoke to the Grain Farmers of Ontario annual meeting Sept. 9, the first question was from a young farmer who wanted to know what programs the government had to help the next generation.
She talked about the young farmer lens and mentioned the need for the education system to better prepare people to farm, including curricula at the high school, college and university levels.
“Are they teaching what we need for the future?”
Then Mitchell turned the tables.
What did the young farmer think was needed?
He said his biggest issue is helping ease the succession planning process.
