Farmland access and tenure

Farmers cannot exist without land to farm. People seeking to access farmland face a long and complex process, made more challenging by rising land prices, rents, and development pressures. On the other end, many farmers who own land are struggling to pass it on to the next generation via succession agreements.

This difficult situation helps contextualize the changing demographics of Canadian farmers. As seen below, the number of farmers under the age of 35 has plummeted by more than 70% over the past thirty years, outpacing the general decline in the number of farmers. As a result, the average age of farm operators has risen by more than 8 years, again outpacing the general increase in the average age of Canadians.

Young farmers are struggling to access land. Private ownership is unattainable for many due to the high cost and debt required to purchase. This context helps explain the increasing role of renting farmland as a form of tenure. From 1981-2021, the average area rented per farm increased by 75%, while the average area owned per farm increased by only 46%.

The NFU recognizes the value and benefits of private ownership. We also support a lively discussion of alternative forms of land tenure which provide long-term access, support environmental stewardship, and foster community-building: land co-ops, community land trusts, land banks, and more.

Many of the rights commonly associated with land ownership can be achieved or approximated without actually owning land. Collaborative models and leasing arrangements offer opportunities for new and young farmers to begin their farm businesses without the high costs of buying land or the necessity of moving away from markets (or friends and family) to cheaper land.

Ontario Land Access Guide

This guide was originally produced by Young Agrarians for farmers in British Columbia and was adapted for farmers in Ontario by NFU-O. It provides a practical resource for new and landless farmers as they journey toward accessing land.

Download the Guide