As Nova Scotians debated their province’s future at the polls, farmers from across the province gathered to discuss the critical challenges and opportunities impacting their livelihoods and the province’s food security. Held for the first time during an election, the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture’s 129th Annual Meeting underscored an urgent theme – the financial viability of our farms is at risk, and timely action is required to correct this path.
As John F. Kennedy once said, “The farmer is the only person in our society who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways.” Despite their vital role to rural economies in Nova Scotia, farms have been struggling. The last time farms in Nova Scotia collectively posted a positive net income was 2016 and losses in 2023 totalled almost $44 million. This trend needs to be reversed. Nova Scotia is the only province in Canada that has had this challenge persist for so long. There are significant opportunities here in Nova Scotia to strengthen our food system and grow our businesses, improving our industry’s viability.
With so much at stake, we must strengthen the business environment that allows our farms to succeed. During the election, we heard about young Nova Scotians struggling to enter the housing market – young farmers face similar challenges in buying farms. The rising cost of farmland, sometimes hitting as high as $20,000 per acre on our most fertile land, is creating a significant barrier for prospective farmers. These barriers are coming at a time when the average age of a farmer in Nova Scotia is 58.8 and a staggering 62% of farmers plan to transition in the next decade. Ensuring farms can successfully transfer to the next generation while protecting our finite agricultural land is vital to providing a food-secure future for our growing population.
Farmers who find the capital to enter the industry are doing so with more debt and challenges that are making agriculture a risky business investment. The industry in Nova Scotia has been hindered by extreme weather over the last few years and provincial climate change risk assessment highlights that climate-affected weather will continue to be a risk. Farmers across Nova Scotia need business risk management programs that reflect the realities of our diverse farm operations. Improving government programs to be responsive and predictable is of critical importance.
Climate change and weather events are significant threats, but they are not alone. Rising geopolitical tensions are disrupting global supply chains and driving up prices. While farm input costs have soared, farmers who grow our food are feeling the pinch. From soaring prices triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the looming threat of 25% U.S. tariffs on our exports, agriculture faces significant challenges. The near to medium-term future appears uncertain and turbulent, with major pressures on farmers.
By adopting innovative technologies, embracing innovation, and taking a strategic, business-minded approach to their operations, farmers can have a fulfilling life and career- but they cannot do it alone. Agriculture is much too important to our rural economies and our province’s food security to continue to let the industry struggle the way it has since 2016. There is no quick fix or one-size-fits-all solution, and that’s why collaboration is essential.
We know that businesses thrive when guided by clear plans, and our farmers deserve the same support from their leadership and government. Together, we must establish a plan to seize opportunities, address challenges, and invest in the growth, competitiveness, and sustainability of the industry. By developing an industry-led strategy, we can create a clear roadmap that will chart the path forward.
With the recent election and the government setting its mandate for the next four years, a strong vision for agriculture and agri-food is essential. As Minister Morrow returns to Agriculture, we as an industry are ready to hit the ground running and collaborate on meaningful solutions.
It is time to come together, step into the boardroom, and roll up our sleeves to shape a stronger future. We owe it to our farmers, our communities, and the generations that will follow.
Carolyn Van Den Heuvel is the Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture