How to start a farm: A farmer’s path from vision to reality
How do you start a farm in Canada?
Mentorship, strategic planning and a collaborative mindset can help turn an unconventional start into a successful farm. Canadian farmer Roger Lobb shares how curiosity, clear direction and lifelong learning helped him build a forward-looking operation.
Find mentors who can support your farm’s growth
I started farming in 2008 while working full time as a pastor. I bought a quarter-section near town and learned from a retired farmer who became my mentor. Because I was still working full-time, he shared his knowledge and did much of the early work on the land. Over the years, I bought equipment and added land. When I retired from ministry in 2016, I was able to focus on farming. Purchasing irrigated land has become the turning point for growth.
Today, Sand Box Farms includes about 2,500 acres of irrigated land, with a focus on timothy hay for export. We also have an organic division that serves a niche market with strong returns. We recently formed a joint venture with two other farms to produce organic potatoes and hemp—two crops that generate strong revenue for the organic side of the business.
Build relationships and think like an entrepreneur
Mindset was critical for me. A big part of it is how you view your neighbours: as competitors or collaborators. I saw both models around me. One important early relationship was with a neighbour who openly shared what he learned, including rotation tips and which crops performed well. When I thanked him, he said, “Make sure it goes both ways, otherwise it stops.” That shaped me. I surround myself with people who are willing to share. Instead of competing with our neighbours, we compete together.
I call myself an entrepreneur. I’m always seeking opportunities, exploring new markets and finding ways to create more value from the land. I enjoy innovating, developing new approaches and pursuing business ideas.
Create a farm business plan and track your progress
A solid farm business plan helps me manage risk while pursuing growth.
A solid farm business plan helps me manage risk while pursuing growth. When I started farming, I wrote down the basics: expected yield, costs and returns for each crop. I still run the numbers every year. If an option won’t make money, I look for another one. You can’t understand risk until you know your cost of production.
The three partners in our potato joint venture had collaborated informally for years. Writing a business plan together defined our mission and core values and created a clear structure for the formal partnership. We are governing directors, and I’m the operational director. I oversee hiring and equipment purchases, but I answer the board. That clarity also helps employees understand exactly who they report to.
Drafting a plan forces you to define your vision and establish one-, two- and five-year goals. For example, we knew we eventually wanted to increase potato production. When an opportunity arose to buy a second planter, we acted. We didn’t need it yet, but our long-term plan showed that we would.
Seek opportunities to learn about Canadian farming
I completed a master’s degree in leadership and management while building the farm. It was sort of a midlife crisis. I had reached the end of a fulfilling career and needed a new challenge. I didn’t set out to finish the degree; I wanted the learning, introspection and opportunity to retool. The process helped me understand myself better and clarify my vision for the future.
I’m a lifelong learner. I value formal and informal opportunities, including conferences, seminars and expert-led workshops. They complement the hands-on learning that happens every day on the farm.
It’s a misconception that technology takes away jobs. It often changes jobs by requiring new skills. For example, my son-in-law, who has a computer science degree, and my son operate our drones. My son developed hand-eye coordination through video games, and the drone controller is similar to a game controller. He can map and spray with a drone—a task I could never have assigned to a teenager using a 120-foot high-clearance sprayer. Technology can create meaningful opportunities for the next generation to get involved.
Another misconception is that you can’t get into farming unless you come from a farm family. Circumstances matter, but I believe it’s possible to transition from an off-farm job to full-time farming with a solid business plan, the right market and good timing. I’ve seen the possibility become real for new farmers when they put the numbers into a spreadsheet and realize, “This could actually work.” That’s powerful.
Adapted from an AgriSuccess article by Emily Leeson.
Emily Leeson is an agricultural writer based on the East Coast. She grew up on a small farm on Nova Scotia’s South Mountain in the Annapolis Valley and still lives and works nearby.
Article republished November 2, 2026
Farming livestock can be a rewarding, yet challenging venture. Successfully getting into the livestock business, say two veteran farmers, takes more than just hard physical work.
From cash flow planning to net worth statements, get the basics you need to prepare for a loan application.
We have a business plan bundle to set you up for success.