In a business where the trend has been toward going grey, the National Farmer’s Union heard a presentation from a young producer who believes he has found a model that will encourage young people to come back to farming.
Tim Shultz and his wife, Carla, started the Green Ranch in 2007 by renting land from Tim’s father that was set up for growing grain. They converted it into grass for cattle. They set up a custom grazing operation and looked after about 80 cows the first year.
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Inspired by an article about small plot intensive farming, Tim and Carla tried growing vegetables and sold them at a farmer’s market in Weyburn, Sask.
They had a full acre of intensive vegetable production the next year and began selling at the farmer’s market in Regina.
They set up a Community Supported Agriculture program that allowed people to buy a share in their operation.
This meant that the couple was able to get capital to buy inputs and spread the risk. Investors get a share of the Green Ranch’s produce delivered to them in return for their investment.
The CSA program gives people a chance to connect with the people growing their food, said Shultz.
“We have a great opportunity of knowing our customers, knowing their names and knowing their kids,” he said.
Since starting out, the Green Ranch has continued to see its business grow. The CSA program is set to grow from 50 to 100 people, they have a growing online business, and they have developed successful relationships with Regina restaurants.
They have also had other producers come to them for help marketing their product.
“It’s kind of snowballed. We really don’t have a co-op structure, but basically we’re a marketing hub,” said Shultz.
Shultz hopes that one day the Green Ranch can become a smaller-scale “local food Sysco,” using their network of other producers to fill gaps that arise in product availability and trying to ensure consistent quality and quantity.
Shultz told the assembled NFU members that he thinks there is more room for young farmers to get into CSA.
“I don’t know where the ceiling is,” he said.
