The Image of farming in Grey Bruce and the rest of Ontario is Changing, and an organization called FarmStart is one of the reasons.
The Guelph based organization is working with future farmers including both rural and urban youth, new Canadians and people who want to start a second career on the land.
FarmStart Director Christie Young says they also are trying to change the image of agriculture to make it more appealing as a career choice.
She says the old negative image is a hard business with long hours and little opportunity ot make any money.
Young says to a certain degree that is true, but todays farmers are changing the industry and their group can help them overcome both perception and financial barriers that may prevent them from becoming successful.
She says the new farmers today are shying away from large agricultural operations and instead are looking at smaller niche operations which are designed to meet the growing demand for high quality locally grown food.
Young says these type of operations create a better opportunity for farmers to produce crops that are high in demand and provide a better return on their investment that traditional agricultural products.
She says FarmStart can provide the expertise and advice for young farmers to develop the business model that best suits their small scale farming operation.
More information on the FarmStart program is available on their website at www.FarmStart.ca
