The Next Generation of Farmers

There is often a common story in agriculture: a young farmer grows up on the family farm, takes it over, and carries the torch forward. It’s a good story and an important one. But it’s not the only path into farming anymore.

A growing number of young farmers are starting from nothing. By that I mean no land handed down, no equipment waiting in the shed and no guaranteed transition plan. Just a willingness to work, some experience, a bit of borrowed money, (or sometimes a lot) and a vision that refuses to go away.

I was one of those young farmers. I didn’t inherit a farm. I started in my late twenties with experience, I took on debt, and a determination to build something that worked. Not just financially, but as a way of life. Looking back, success came from my willingness to work a lot and to think outside of the box often as a young farmer. However; I didn’t have success in some areas, it came from asking better questions, challenging assumptions, and being willing to do things differently.

Start with Experience, not Ownership

Before anything else, long before you have ownership get experience. Many young people are eager to “own” a farm before they truly understand how one operates. Ownership is expensive and mistakes are even more expensive. Work on farms. Try different enterprises. See what actually fits your temperament, your skills, and your lifestyle. The idea of farming and the reality of farming are not always the same thing.

While you’re doing that, read—constantly. Books, articles, research papers, farm case studies. Talk to farmers. Ask questions. But don’t accept everything at face value. Agriculture is deeply contextual. What works on one farm, in one region, for one personality, may fail somewhere else. Test ideas, stay curious, and continue to learn to think.

Don’t Copy—Think

It’s easy to fall into the trap of imitation. You see a successful farmer and assume the path is to copy them. That’s a mistake. Your context is different, your land, your finances, your market, your goals. Even your risk tolerance is different. Go to conferences. Attend webinars. Listen carefully. But filter everything through your own situation. Brainstorm, write it down, order it, and then filter it. Ask: Does this actually apply to me? As Temple Grandin once pointed out, many people guard their knowledge too tightly. But when someone is willing to share openly, take advantage of it. Listen closely. There’s value there—but it’s still your job to interpret and apply it correctly.

Define Your Farm—and Your Life

Before you invest heavily in land, livestock, or equipment, take a step back and define what you’re actually trying to build. What does your ideal farm look like? Is it large or small? Simple or complex? Quiet or busy? Does it involve family? Partners? Employees? And maybe more importantly—what does your life look like within that farm? Is it enjoyable? Sustainable? Profitable? Does the farm serve your life, or does your life serve the farm? If your vision only includes yourself, it’s probably incomplete. Farming at its best is relational and it involves people; family, community, customers, partners. Clarity here will save you years of frustration later.

Understand Money Early

One of the biggest advantages a young farmer can develop is financial awareness. Know the difference between necessary and discretionary expenses early on which can help you immensely in your farming career. Control your costs better than your competition, this is one of the simplest and most overlooked ways to gain an edge in agriculture and in business in general. While others chase higher yields or bigger scale, disciplined expense management quietly builds resilience and profitability. Start lean, and maintain a lean farming mentality. It can be incredibly easy to go after the next piece of equipment, the latest tool that is sold as “improves efficiency”, and yet at the end of the day your bank account begins to look highly inefficient. By that I mean unable to pay the bills. When things feel complicated, subtract instead of adding. Complexity is expensive and simplicity is powerful. You don’t need the biggest tractor or the newest system to succeed. You need a system that works and that you can afford.

Timing, Help, and Creativity

Starting a farm from scratch takes more than hard work. It takes timing, relationships, and creativity. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, most farmers are willing to share knowledge if you approach them with humility and genuine interest. Think outside the box and don’t let people tell you that land access only mean’s ownership. Equipment doesn’t always mean buying new and markets don’t always mean selling commodities. There are opportunities in partnerships, leasing, niche markets, direct sales, and diversified enterprises. The path isn’t always obvious, but it’s there if you’re willing to look. So be creative, allow yourself to see things from a different lense.

Learn to Make Decisions

Decision making is a skill and like any skill, it improves with practice. The old saying “practice makes perfect” does not actually hold true, however practice can make permanence. And chasing perfection is a lost cause. Some decisions take time to asses, however most decisions in life are a quick yes or no, get in the habit of knowing what you stand for, the clearer picture of your goals and the decisions will become clearer and easier to make. In decision making you are typically coming up against a problem, in order to move forward name the problem. If you can’t name the problem, you can’t fix it. And when you are working alongside another person which may be your spouse, business partner, or parent learn to talk about your problem, if you can’t you have two. Young farmers need to get comfortable making decisions early, when the financial stakes are lower. Learn from those decisions, adjust and move forward. Indecision is often more costly than a wrong decision made thoughtfully. There’s a balance, don’t start too fast, but don’t start too slow. Momentum matters, but so does patience.

Know Your Circle of Competence

One of the most important concepts in business and farming is understanding your “circle of competence.” What are you actually good at? Where do you have an advantage? What do you understand deeply? Build your farm around those strengths. You don’t need to be great at everything and in fact trying to be is a recipe for burnout. Focus on what you do well, and either simplify or outsource the rest. While farming I needed an electrician at times, I am not an electrician by skill or desire. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Know your tools that are in your tool box. At the end of the day, it’s these tools that you will get better and better at using.

Build Something That Lasts

Farming isn’t just about production. It’s about stewardship—of land, finances, relationships, and your own well-being. The next generation of farmers has an opportunity to build operations that are not only profitable, but also resilient and life-giving. That means asking better questions. Challenging assumptions. Being willing to do things differently. It also means recognizing that there is no single “right” way to farm. There are principles—but there is no template.

Final Thoughts

Starting a farm from scratch is obviously not easy. It requires much effort, risk, and persistence. But it’s possible. With the right mindset—curiosity, discipline, and a willingness to often think differently you can build something meaningful. Not just a farm that survives, but one that thrives. Not just a business, but a life.

About the Author

As the owner & founder of Coast 2 Coast Regenerative Agriculture, I work with young and aspiring farmers across Canada, helping them make clearer decisions, build profitable operations, and create farms that are both sustainable and life-giving. Whether you’re just getting started or trying to find your next step, the goal for any farmer is clarity, confidence, and a farm that works for you. You can find me at www.coast2coastregen.com serving farmers young and experienced across Canada.

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