Canada’s Living Earth Farm forges new avenues in vertical farming

During the initial lockdowns of the pandemic, Michael Nantais from Pointe-Claire, just outside Montreal, discovered his passion for sustainable farming. This interest blossomed while tending to vegetables in his mother’s backyard. Nantais’s journey, which began with his transition from economics to biology to better understand plant sciences, highlights a broader trend among young Canadians exploring alternative paths into agriculture.

While traditional farming often requires significant capital investment in land and machinery, many aspiring farmers like Nantais are turning to technologies such as vertical farming. This method involves stacking crops in controlled environments, allowing for efficient use of space and resources, ideal for urban settings where space is at a premium.

Jay Steeves, dean of Werklund School of Agriculture & Technology at Olds College in Alberta, notes a shift in the demographic profile of agriculture students. More individuals from non-farming backgrounds are enrolling in agricultural programs, driven by a growing interest in niche farming operations and indoor agriculture. These sectors cater to a world with increasing food demands and limited agricultural space.

Craig Klemmer, principal economist at Farm Credit Canada, points out that these new approaches are not just about innovation but also about adapting to the changing demographics and market demands of Canada. For instance, the rising demand for sheep and goat meat represents a market that can be started on a small scale and scaled up.

Nantais, after moving to Toronto, faced challenges in establishing his vertical farm but eventually partnered with Living Earth Farm, thereby avoiding the high initial costs of setting up independently. This partnership underscores a significant aspect of the new agriculture: collaboration and creativity in overcoming logistical and financial barriers.

The high costs of traditional farming are stark. In southern Ontario, the price of farmland has surged from an average of $2,616 per hectare in 1996 to about $23,100 in 2023, making it prohibitive for many to enter large-scale farming. This economic reality pushes young farmers towards roles in crop science, consultancy, and technological applications in agriculture, like drone assessments and soil testing. The sector’s transformation is evident as the agricultural workforce ages. With a significant number of farmers approaching retirement and fewer young people filling those roles, innovation and a shift in the perception of what constitutes a farmer are essential for the industry’s sustainability.