In Canada, the agricultural sector is at a crossroads, with new, young, and underrepresented farmers facing significant challenges to accessing the capital needed to succeed. The third installment of the "Breaking Barriers: Growing Future Farmers" webinar series will shine a light on this critical issue, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support to empower the next generation of farmers.

At the heart of the struggle for many aspiring farmers is the concept of market failure in Canadian agriculture. This failure manifests in various forms, including high land prices, established market players with entrenched advantages, and a lack of resources for newcomers, especially those without assets. These conditions create an environment that is often inhospitable to new entrants, making it incredibly challenging for them to establish viable farming operations without working capital.

The barriers are compounded by a patchwork of provincial regulations that can either facilitate or inhibit access to financial resources, depending on where a farmer is located in Canada.Different provinces have varying regulations surrounding securities, which has led to the development of specific types of farmer loan funds and innovative financial solutions in some areas, while others remain stagnant. Working capital is difficult to secure, as many new farmers begin their operations on leased land, and are unable to collateralize land to secure loans. Without this loan capital, many struggle to invest in sustainable practices or expand operations in a way that enhances productivity and financial resilience.

What’s more, these challenges are exacerbated for equity-deserving and underrepresented groups including young adults (18-35), women, BIPOC farmers, 2SLGBTQ+ who face unique barriers. For example, Indigenous growers who farm on reserve do not have land title, which prevents them from borrowing against their land. This lack of access to financing significantly hinders their ability to invest in their farming operations. Similarly, recent immigrants often come without intergenerational wealth, established networks, or experience in Canadian agriculture, making it even more difficult for them to navigate the financial landscape. Black growers and other groups may experience discrimination, as groups who have been historically excluded from policies that shape the benefits of Canada’s agricultural system.

Join us as we unpack the complex issue of capital access with an incredible group of speakers working to increase access to capital for farmers across the country through the development of new farmer funds, targeted grants and lending, and programs and innovative solutions to help reimagine and improve access to funds for new, young and underserved farmers in Canada. Speakers will provide a deeper understanding of the capital access system in Canada for new and young farmers, look at the biggest gaps and opportunities for change and share solutions, interventions, and guidance to help new entrants mitigate barriers to secure funding.