An Open Letter from the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture
After years of mounting pressure, last year’s reported $41 million in sector-wide net losses confirmed what many already knew: the current system is not working for farmers. It’s important to note this is a cumulative figure; not every farm is losing money – there are many examples of resilience and innovation. But nearly all farms are feeling the strain, and the reasons are complex. Whether breaking even or turning a modest profit, farms are being stretched thin by rising costs, extreme weather, and policy gaps that threaten their long-term viability.
Yet amid these challenges, the path forward is clear – and the sector is ready to lead.
We continue to work with Minister Morrow and his Department to share industry perspectives and advance solutions that support farm viability and a resilient food system. But this isn’t just an agriculture issue – it’s a complex challenge that requires coordinated engagement across all levels of government: federal, provincial, and municipal. It also demands collaboration across departments responsible for agriculture, environment and climate change, labour, natural resources, and economic development, among others.
While there are many important initiatives already underway, now is the time to look closely at the numbers, acknowledge the reality, and bring government and industry together to develop a coordinated action plan – shaped by industry, for industry.
While farmers are at the heart of this, the impact extends far beyond the farm. Processors, suppliers, distributors, and lenders are all part of a system that relies on strong, viable farms. For farmers to succeed, the entire system must succeed, and farmers must be positioned to thrive as the foundation of that system.
This isn’t about the Food and Beverage Strategy. Our recommendation to move forward with an industry-led action plan is grounded in a long-standing belief: the future of agriculture and food in Nova Scotia must be defined by those who live it every day.
We believe this plan must:
• Focus on what’s practical and actionable for farm and food businesses;
• Reflect the day-to-day realities and long-term vision of those working in the sector;
• Align partners across the value chain on shared priorities; and
• Ensure that government efforts are well-targeted, responsive, and informed by the people directly affected.
Farmers have been clear about what’s possible. They’re not asking government to solve every problem. They’re asking for a system that listens, responds, and evolves. One that sees them not only as producers, but as land stewards, economic drivers, and innovation partners. And we are asking for action – not someday, but now.
If Nova Scotia agriculture is to thrive, we need a bold, unified roadmap – one that looks 10, 15, even 25 years ahead and delivers measurable, lasting impact. This plan must be built around three core pillars:
1. Growth – Unlocking the full economic potential of the sector by supporting innovation, scaling what works, and investing in infrastructure, succession, and workforce development.
2. Competitiveness – Ensuring farms can compete and grow by addressing regulatory burden, modernizing risk management, improving access to technology, and opening new markets.
3. Sustainability – Building resilience through environmental stewardship, farmland protection, and climate adaptation, all while ensuring that farming remains viable for current and future generations.
Public awareness around food security, climate change, and rural economic development is growing. The agriculture sector has what it takes, but it needs the right conditions to succeed.
Food affordability is critical, and farmers understand that. But when the cost of production keeps rising and the market isn’t structured to reflect that, it places unsustainable pressure on farms trying to stay viable. The system isn’t built to fully account for what it truly costs to grow food: from labour and land to equipment, energy, and regulatory compliance. Farmers are often price takers at both ends: unable to control the rising cost of inputs and lacking leverage to set fair prices for what they produce.
Over time, this erodes the long-term stability of our food system, threatening both the viability of farms and the province’s ability to produce food locally.
This isn’t just a farm issue. It’s a food issue. When farms can’t stay viable, we lose local food, rural jobs, and food security. But when we get it right, we strengthen communities, drive economic growth, and protect our shared future.
The Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, with support from our commodity partners, is ready to bring people together – farmers, government, processors, researchers, retailers, and community leaders – to co-develop this plan. It must be a collective effort, grounded in lived experience, shared accountability, and a commitment to meaningful results.
We’re calling on government to support this work so we can change the course together and make agriculture a thriving industry in Nova Scotia.
Let’s work together to build a plan that reflects the strength of our farmers, the potential of our sector, and the vision we share for the future of agriculture in Nova Scotia.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Van Den Heuvel
Executive Director