GrainsWest Fall 2019

Fall 2019 grainswest.com 27 BY TAMARA LEIGH • PHOTOS BY ANTHONY HOULE PHOTOGRAPHY AND TWO STONE PHOTOGRAPHY Off-farmexperience prepares next generation for success or too long, farmers have watched their children walk away from the farm permanently, but this is changing. It is increasingly common for people who grew up on the farm to pursue education and off-farm careers before settling back on their family farms. “Agriculture is cool right now and the ag industry is growing,” said Elaine Froese, a family farm coach and succession planning expert. While nobody tracks the number of mid-career people returning to the farm, it is a growing trend. “Working with 150 to 200 families a year, I would say this is a thing, and something you need to pay attention to.” Farm advisors generally recommend farm youth get three to five years off-farm experience, said Froese. With the labour crunch in agriculture, farm youth may be asked to return sooner than later. Those who do take time prior to their return bring new skills, perspectives and networks back to the farm. “What draws a lot of people back is the entrepreneurial spirit and being an independent manager. Wanting to be their own boss is a huge driver,” said Froese. “With the shrinkage in the oil patch, people have come back to the farm because they haven’t found work elsewhere. Others intentionally decide that once they get some off-farm management experience and they want to start raising a family, that they want to have the farm lifestyle.” WELCOME BACK