Impervious Odds and Complicated Legacies: Young People’s Pathways into Farming in Ontario, Canada

Ontario is the most populated province in Canada and has some of its most productive agricultural soils. However, Ontario faces problems attracting youth into agriculture. Since 1991, the province has lost about two-thirds of its 18,440 young farmers, and less than 10 per cent of Ontario’s current farmers are under the age of 35. Part of these losses can be attributed to the challenges that Ontario’s youth face in becoming a farmer. To understand these challenges, it is necessary to understand the different pathways that young people take to becoming a farmer. By understanding these pathways, it becomes possible to create more opportunities and reduce the challenges that young people must overcome. This chapter will differentiate the pathways of entry into farming for young people in Ontario, highlighting differences in how they access resources, their motivations for farming, and the type of farming that they carry out. Understanding the unique circumstances facing Ontario’s young farmers can help identify ways to encourage young people to begin a career in farming.