Grainswest - Fall 2025

Fall 2025 Grains West 36 Keith and Eric both went into carpentry after high school. Keith has since returned to the farm full-time and appreciates the benefits of agricultural work and lifestyle more than ever. Eric continues to work part-time off the farm but is eager to return permanently. Like most young farmers their age, the cousins believe restricted access to land is the largest barrier to establishment and expansion of farm operations. They cite soaring land values, limited access to capital and stiff competition with larger farms. “You’ve got to be ambitious, disciplined and determined to be successful,” said Cole. “We feel like we need to put everything we have into our farms to achieve our goals.” While their passion is admirable, Keith pointed out that balancing farm work and the required mental load can be a challenge. The cousins recognize they are fortunate to be a close-knit farm family with strong intergenerational connections. “Farming can get hard, but we know we can turn to each other, our parents and our grandparents for advice and support. Not all farmers or families have that,” said Keith. “Young farmers need to be given a chance,” added Cole. He knows his family wants to see him employ new ideas, grow and diversify. He believes some established farmers don’t support young family members taking up farming as a career because they believe it isn’t sustainable. “It’s unfair for anyone to impose their beliefs in a way that limits someone else’s opportunities and potential.” For the Grutterink cousins, farming is a shared legacy, a business and a lifestyle they’re determined to protect and grow. ROOTED IN REALITY By necessity, Carson Lukocs balances farming with a full-time job. At 27, he loves every aspect of farming, but the soaring cost of land and rent, rising input prices and tight margins keep him in his off-farm job as a mechanical engineer. He has operated Lukocs Farm for eight years and has steadily grown his 250 acres of canola, barley, oats, peas In 2022, the trio launched Alberta Agri-Acres, their own TikTok channel to depict daily life on their farm. “There’s nothing like farming,” says Cole Grutterink. FEATURE