FCC Young Farmer Summit fuels excitement among youth

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) encourages farmers under the age of 40 to take control of their business journey while igniting their passion and enthusiasm for Canadian agriculture at the FCC Young Farmer Summit.

"The energy and enthusiasm that the younger generation brings to these events is exactly what Canadian agriculture needs to tap into in order for the industry to continue to grow and thrive," said Michael Hoffort, FCC president and CEO, in announcing a series of eight free events across Canada aimed at engaging young farmers, as well as agri-food and agribusiness entrepreneurs. "The future of Canadian agriculture depends on attracting the next generation of young, bright entrepreneurs, since their dreams and aspirations will someday become our reality."

FCC Young Farmer Summit is for people under age 40 who are either working in the industry or pursuing a career in agriculture through education. It’s a forum for outstanding speakers to share their knowledge and common love for the industry, as well as an opportunity for young people to connect, become inspired and exposed to new perspectives in agriculture.

In the coming months, FCC Young Farmer Summit will feature presentations from: Dr. Tom Deans, intergenerational wealth transfer expert; Stephanie Holmes-Winton, founder and CEO of CacheFlo; and Ashlyn George, adventurer, travel writer and speaker.

Expectations, duty and tradition are three common reasons why the next generation joins the family business. But these same reasons can make staying on the farm emotionally complex. Dr. Tom Deans brings alive the ideas in his New York Times best-selling book Every Family’s Business to challenge what you thought you knew about transitioning your family farm and family wealth. 

"A staggering 55 per cent of all farmers do not have a legal will,” said Dr. Tom Deans. “For those who do have a will, remarkably 75 per cent have outdated documents that have not kept pace with the changes to their business and estate plans. Most farming families underestimate the cost, complexity and turmoil this will cause.”

FCC Young Farmer Summit will take place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the following dates and locations:

For more details on each event, visit fcc.ca/youngfarmersummit.

The FCC Young Farmer Summit complements five FCC Women in Ag Summit events and more than 60 FCC Workshops that are taking place across the country this fall and winter. Participants can register online at fcc.ca/events or by calling 1-888-332-3301. People are encouraged to sign up early to reserve their spot as these events fill up quickly.

FCC is Canada’s leading agriculture lender, with a healthy loan portfolio of more than $36 billion. Our employees are dedicated to the future of Canadian agriculture and its role in feeding an ever-growing world. We provide flexible, competitively priced financing, management software, information and knowledge specifically designed for the agriculture and agri-food industry. As a self-sustaining Crown corporation, our profits are reinvested back into the agriculture and food industry we serve and the communities where our customers and employees live and work while providing an appropriate return to our shareholder. Visit fcc.ca or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and on Twitter.

-30-

For more information or interviews, please contact:

Éva Larouche (bilingual)
Corporate Communication
Farm Credit Canada
1-888-780-6647
eva.larouche@fcc.ca