Family members’ unspoken expectations can turn out to be “the silent killer” of a family farm, FCC’s Tim Lang says.

Plan now for a farm’s future

FCC business advisor Tim Lang offers advice on what families need to consider in transition planning

With Canada’s farm population aging, it stands to reason transition planning would be a high priority for farmers in this country. But that doesn’t appear to be the case. Despite 60 per cent of Canadian farmers being age 55 or older, fewer than one in 10 have a written transition plan, according to Farm Management […] Read more

If you have sufficient assets to pay yourself an income for the rest of your life, you’ll need to consider the best path to generate that income.

Woman, mid-60s, has successful farm and tax planning opportunities

It makes sense for her to take advantage of lower tax brackets while she can

A woman we’ll call Teresa, who farms two sections of grain in southeastern Manitoba, is 63. She works through a farm corporation worth $1.4 million and has personal farmland worth $1.75 million. The breakdown: she has non-farm assets of $419,000, savings of $400,000 plus a TFSA with assets of $100,000, and other savings of $800,000. […] Read more


It’s up to you to improve your skills in sharing your ideas, thoughts and feelings in the culture of your farm business.

How to embrace a positive perspective for farm transition

People who feel their concerns are taken seriously will feel understood

Imagine this is the day you’re hopping out of bed with a new spring in your step as you anticipate the life-changing transaction taking place this afternoon. You, your spouse and your folks are headed to the lawyer’s office to officially sign shareholder agreements. You’re excited to finally have some certainty for your future. How […] Read more

parents and an adult child discussing finances

Get the tough and tender transition conversations started in 2024

A farm’s founders may not want the embarrassment if they see a personal net worth lower than expected

Seven years ago, here’s what I said about getting transition conversations started: Show up as adults to attack the issues, do not attack the person who is delivering ideas for change. Understand transition is a journey of many plans, with communication as the foundation. Spend some quiet time with yourself thinking about what you truly […] Read more


The 2023 regional winners, back row, from left: Stewart Skinner (Ontario), Rémi Taillon (Quebec), Brad Hopcott (B.C.), Harley Siemens (Manitoba), Willem van de Wetering (Atlantic), Jake Leguee (Saskatchewan), Travis Hopcott (B.C.) and Greg Stamp (Alberta). Front row, from left: Jessica Kelly (Ontario), Sophie Brodeur (Quebec), Sarah Leguee (Saskatchewan), Brooklyn Siemens (Manitoba), Marijke Oudshoorn (Atlantic) and Sarah Stamp (Alberta).

B.C. and Alberta young farmers earn honours at national gathering

The fourteen talented regional nominees handed judges a challenge

The two most western regional nominees won the hearts and scores of judges in late November to be named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF) for 2023. Hopcott Farms, a beef and cranberry operation from Pitt Meadows, B.C., and Stamp Seeds, producers of pedigree seed from Enchant, Alta., were named the national competition winners at the […] Read more

Why can’t farm moms ask for what they need?

Why can’t farm moms ask for what they need?

It could be due to scarcity mindsets, generational neglect of needs or disrespect of in-laws

December can be an emotionally strained month with high expectations for seasonal celebrations and gifts. Last year, due to a myriad of circumstances and miscommunication, my Christmas stocking was skinny, and truthfully, I was disappointed and tempted to feel sorry for myself. When you consider the terrible wars in the Middle East and Ukraine though, […] Read more


Andrea Borodenko and Antoine Casimir have acquired Quebec’s Production Lareault.(CNW Group/Production Lareault)

Major strawberry plant producer changes hands

New owners get funding to buy Lareault business

The Quebec company billed as Canada’s largest producer of strawberry plants has picked up new ownership after nearly 70 years. Production Lareault, based on just over 450 acres at Lavaltrie, Que. — about 40 km northeast of Montreal, in the province’s Lanaudiere region — has been acquired by investors Antoine Casimir and Andrea Borodenko for […] Read more

Ari Westhaver of the NFU demonstrating on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Nov. 22, 2023. (Jonah Grignon photo)

NFU takes demand for ban on investor ownership to Parliament Hill

Organization's youth caucus concerned amid ‘transition crisis’

Members of the National Farmers Union (NFU) gathered on Parliament Hill Wednesday to demand a ban on investor ownership of farmland. The demonstration was organized by the NFU Youth Caucus and Farm Workers’ Working Group. The goal was to demand protection of food sovereignty and help farmers, especially young ones, gain more access to farmland. […] Read more


The Leguee Farms family members from left: Jake and Stephanie Leguee with their three children Asher, 8, Grayson, 5, and Tristan, 2; Russ and Sharon Leguee with Russ holding Bo, 2, (Amber and Erik’s son); Sarah Leguee ; and Erik and Amber Nikolejsin and their other two children Dax, 7, and Hazel, 4.

A glimpse into bright, young farming operations

From potatoes to cranberries, eggs to pork, beef to veal and millions of seeds — this is what these farmers do

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers will experience the hospitality of Quebec in late November as regional nominees and alumni gather in Laval for the national awards competition. Along with the seven OYF regional nominee farm families, about 200 alumni and guests from the program will attend the 43rd national awards event that runs Nov. 23-26. Nominees […] Read more

Brenna Mahoney, general manager of Keystone Agriculture Producers, speaks during a panel discussion at the Agriculture Enlightened conference in Winnipeg on Oct. 26. (Geralyn Wichers photo)

Think outside the agriculture box for labour, ag and tech leaders say

Agriculture in the Classroom is reaching non-farming students with inspiration for ag jobs, panelists say

Ag and tech leaders encouraged employers to think outside the agricultural box when looking to hire workers in order to expand the labour pool.  “I’m one of the lucky ones,” said Brenna Mahoney, general manager of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP).  Mahoney entered the industry with no agriculture experience. She had training in human resources and […] Read more