P.E.I. Young Farmers Association hires 1st staff member to support next generation of growers

The Prince Edward Island Young Farmers Association, which for decades was run by volunteers from top to bottom, has now hired its first employee as it seeks to support and attract young agricultural professionals.

Jamie Ward was recently hired as the association's first program co-ordinator. The part-time role is funded through core funding from the P.E.I. Department of Agriculture.

Ward graduated from Holland College's Environmental Applied Science Technology program recently and is continuing her education at UPEI, concentrating on environmental studies.

With strong family ties to potato farming in the western part of the province, she said the new role is a natural fit.

Island Morning12:09P.E.I. Young Farmers Association hires first employee

For years, the Prince Edward Island Young Farmers Association was run by volunteers. Now, the group has hired its first paid position — a program co-ordinator. We hear from Jamie Ward in the new role, as well as Agriculture Minister Bloyce Thompson.

"It was just my initiative to always try to put a positive impact on the industry, especially having such an interest and such a love for the agriculture industry ever since I was a young kid," Ward told CBC's Island Morning.

'This has been huge for us'

As program co-ordinator, Ward will help with governance and financial administration, manage events and advocacy work, and provide administrative and communications support.

She'll also focus on building relationships within the sector and increasing mentorship and educational opportunities for young farmers across the province.

Robert Larsen, president of the association, said hiring a staff person is a major milestone. The association currently has about 130 members, including young farmers and agricultural professionals.

"This has been huge for us," Larsen said. "We're really excited about the next 18 months, next two years, next three years.

"We want to keep pushing the needle as best we can, and this will just ensure the long-term sustainability of this organization that will exist well beyond my generation as a young farmer."

Listening to young farmers' concerns

Part of Ward's role involves hearing directly from young farmers about the challenges they face.

A farmer himself, Larsen said the financial barriers to anyone wanting to enter the industry are steep, especially with land prices continuing to rise.

"We talk about barriers all the time, and at the end of the day, a lot of it, I think, is capital," he said.

To address those concerns, the association has developed a three-phase strategy to consult with members and develop policy recommendations, with Ward supporting that work. The goal is to advocate for solutions with government and industry stakeholders.

Agriculture Minister Bloyce Thompson, who played a key role in establishing the new position, agrees young Island farmers face significant obstacles. He said the province will continue listening and exploring potential solutions.

"When we see land prices increasing, whether it's low-interest loans for our young farmers, or whether it's looking at different other policies that will help establish and help the exiting farmer as well — that's their retirement... It's a balancing act here," Thompson said.

Thompson noted the province has introduced initiatives like the R. Elmer MacDonald Agricultural Scholarship to help P.E.I. residents pursue post-secondary studies in agriculture at Dalhousie University's Faculty of Agriculture in Truro, N.S. That's the institution that used to be the Nova Scotia Agricultural College.

Another major challenge is farm succession. Thompson said he's aware how challenging and expensive the process can be, and said the province is committed to working with Island farmers to make it easier.

"We have to make it easier," he said. "That's what we want to include the young farmers for. You know, we want to ask them, how will this work? How do you see it working? So we can change our regulations or policies to help build that framework that can make succession easier and more attainable."

Looking ahead

For now, the association has a series of summer farm tours lined up.

The first event is scheduled for July 19 and will include visits to three farms managed by young people in West Prince. More dates will follow, with information available on the association's Facebook and Instagram pages.

Ward said she encourages any current young farmers, or those thinking about getting into the industry, to reach out to her via social media or by email.