The next generation of agricultural leaders: Keeping communities vibrant from coast to coast to coast

Supply management helps strengthen Canadian egg farms, creating local jobs and opportunities–helping our Canadian communities stay vibrant and successful. In doing so, supply management is opening the door for the next generation of agricultural leaders from coast to coast to coast.

Thanks to the stability provided by the system of supply management, more and more young Canadians are starting to build careers in egg farming. 1 in 5 farmers are new to the industry, and 30% of Canadian egg farmers are now under the age of 45. In the spirit of community and getting know your neighbour, or in this case farmer, meet some of the young leaders in our industry and find out why they choose the profession of farming.

What’s more, these young farmers are all part of Egg Farmers of Canada’s national young farmer program. This program is designed to nurture and educate young farm leaders, helping them build the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.

David Newcombe

Port Williams, Nova Scotia

David Newcombe is the 10th generation of his family to work on the family farm in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. He’s proud of the fact his ancestors have been on this land since the 1760s.

“All the generations before me did a good job of setting up the farm,” he says, adding that his situation is made even better by the fact that the eggs and other things the family produces all fall under supply management. “All this puts me in a good position to continue the operation,” he explains.

Donald Gaultier

Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, Manitoba

Donald Gaultier is new to egg farming. He and his wife Shannon recently finished their first year in the business and they couldn’t be more pleased. “Every morning, I think about how lucky I am to be an egg farmer,” says Donald. “It’s a dream come true.”

Donald was always interested in farming, and grew up on a beef farm. Yet it wasn’t until after he and his wife Shannon applied through the Manitoba Egg Farmer’s New Entrant Program that their dream of owning an egg farm became a reality.

Stephanie Nanne

Perth, Ontario

Stephanie Nanne is the seventh generation of her family to farm the same piece of land in rural Eastern Ontario. Next year will mark the 200th anniversary of the day her ancestors came over from Scotland to settle there.

Stephanie is very proud of that fact that the land has been able to provide food not only for her family, but also now for others as well, for such a long time. As she eases into farming herself, she looks forward to continuing the tradition.

Aaron Law

Belleisle Bay, New Brunswick 

Aaron Law hesitated for a long time before deciding to take over the family egg farm. He’d already started another career as an engineering technologist when the desire for a change of pace got him thinking about going back to the family egg farm in Belleisle Bay, on the St. John River system in south-central New Brunswick.

“For me, the major draw was just the pure appeal of being an independent leader and entrepreneur in my industry. And also realizing that I would get to work in an industry where I can produce quality, nutritious food. ”

Thanks to the system of supply management, more and more young Canadians are building a rewarding career in egg farming.  You can read more about our young farmers here and more about farming families across Canada here.

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