Frequently Asked Questions

Are there affiliated organizations at the Provincial level?
Presently there are no "official" provincial affiliates of the Canadian Young Farmers' Forum. Several provinces have young farmer organizational structures in place, and others are working towards the establishment of their own provincial young farmer group. It is a primary objective of the Canadian Young Farmers' Forum to facilitate the development of provincial/territorial young farmer structures across the country, with each province/territory having an "official" affiliate recognized at the national Annual Meeting & Conference in 2004.

Why are provincial affiliates important?
As the Canadian Young Farmers' Forum gains recognition as the national voice of young farmers, provincial structures will be critical to flow of information, both up - from the grass-roots to consolidate a national young farmer perspective, and down - from the national level to the provincial and local decision-makers.

Are there International activities available?
The Canadian Young Farmers' Forum establishes links with similar organizations around the world and informs delegates about International activities targeting young people in agriculture and encourages them to participate. In February 2000, more than 25 Canadian young farmers from all across the country traveled to the World Congress of Young Farmers in Orlando, Florida. This four day even provided participants with the opportunity to attend workshops, lectures and farm tours as well as network with their peers from over 40 countries. The Canadian delegation was funded in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

How did the Canadian Young Farmers' Forum get started?
The Federation de la Releve Agricole du Quebec (FRAQ) proposed the concept of a national round table to young farmer groups, agricultural cooperatives commodity groups and general farm organizations across Canada during three missions funded by the Farm Credit Corporation in 1996. The idea was enthusiastically received, and with funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the first Annual Meeting and Conference was held in Thunder Bay, Ontario in 1997 with organizational development at the top of the agenda.

In 1998, the theme for the Annual Meeting and Conference, held in Ottawa, Ontario, was International Trade. Farm Transfers was the theme for the 1999 Annual Meeting, held in Regina, Saskatchewan. The 2000 Annual Meeting & Conference focused on the issue of Biotechnology.

Why is the Canadian Young Farmers' Forum important?
There are unique circumstances, concerns and challenges facing young and beginning farmers that may not be reflected in the policies of organizations that are presently working the represent the agriculture industry.

Policies are being set that will determine the future of the industry - often without input from the young farmers who will have to live with the consequences of that policy in their farm operations.

Why don't existing farm organizations always work for young farmers?
Few farm organizations have formal structures in place to ensure young and beginning farmer input on policy direction. This kind of "customized" mechanism is important because the time commitment is often too great for young and beginning farmers to participate in the traditional structures of agriculture organizations.

Why is time commitment such an important factor?
Young farmers may be simultaneously establishing a new farm business, completing post-secondary education, raising a young family and maintaining an off-farm job to help finance their farm operation.

How can young farmers have a voice?
An efficient, effective, recognized and respected mechanism is needed to identify young farmer concerns, develop solutions to the challenges facing young farmers and prepare young and beginning farmers to take an active role in shaping the agriculture industry. The Canadian Young Farmers' Forum fills that gap, and gives young farmers across the country a voice.

What do young farmers get out of their involvement with the Canadian Young Farmers' Forum?
Participants in the Forum gain a better understanding of the agriculture industry as described by their colleagues from across the Country. Speakers and workshops increase participants' knowledge of the agriculture industry's issues, policies and problems. The development of both national and provincial structures will enhance participants' leadership skills, preparing them to take a more active role in agriculture and rural organizations. In addition, since young and beginning farmers are often isolated from their peers, the face-to-face meeting of the Forum, as well as the on-line communication helps to establish an important support network of peers facing the same challenges in pursuit of similar goals.

How does the agriculture industry benefit?
Increased opportunities for dialogue, networking and action planning among participants, organizations, and industry stakeholders will lead to more effective programs and policies across the country. The industry will also benefit from the creation of a pool of skilled future leaders with an awareness of issues in Canadian agriculture and a proven commitment to developing collaborative, creative solutions.

How is the Forum funded?
A multi-year agreement with the Farm Credit Corporation provides part funding for the Forum's Annual Meeting & Conference. In addition, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada has returned as a primary funding partner with development resources that will ensure the foundation for the organization and its provincial affiliates is secure. Additional funding will have to be secured in order to maintain the Canadian Young Farmers' Forum.

What does the future hold for the Canadian Young Farmers' Forum?
Organizational development, communications and long-term funding are the key priorities for the Canadian Young Farmers' Forum moving into the new millennium. A regular newsletter and interactive web site will be launched in 2001 with monthly "chat" sessions to begin later the same year. Aggressive targets have also been set for the establishment of provincial young farmer affiliates across the country.