Learn more about the essentials of farming such as markets, lands, labour, equipment and training.
After you have evaluated first steps, it is vital that you ensure there is a market for your product and that you understand some basics about the markets and related regulations that may apply to you. Some of the basics are listed below. It is recommended that you contact the commodity organization of your chosen area of production to discuss details more fully.
Certain products can only be sold within the province, while others can be sold inter-provincially and internationally. Some products can only be sold at the farmgate or at farmers’ markets, while others can be sold in supermarkets. There are five general categories of products. The following section gives an overview of the categories and some of the products that fit in each.
Products that can be sold without a licence or permit IF sold directly to the consumer:
Products that can be sold anywhere in the province without a licence or permit:
Products that can be sold in the province, but must be prepared and/or processed in a provincially licensed and inspected facility:
Products that can be sold outside of the province but must be processed in a federally licensed and inspected facility:
If the commodity you are interested in is not listed here, check with the association related to the commodity of your choice found under commodity groups and associations.
There are many means of obtaining land for farming and a variety of ways to finance these transactions. Listed below are some of the options available.
Finding farm land:
NOTE: Land must be suitable for the production desired. Poor land may affect your success. You can use the site suitability maps for a quick indication.
Some options for financing the acquisition or use of the land:
If you decide to buy land, especially undeveloped land, ensure there are no bylaws, regulations or other limitations that will restrict use of the land for agriculture. It is also important to know if the land is registered under the Farm Land Identification Program (FLIP).
If it is, it needs to be understood if the seller will be paying off the deferred taxes and associated interest, or if the purchaser will assume this liability. If the purchaser intends to continue farming, the deferred taxes and associated interest do not have to be paid, but they will still be a liability. This needs to be clear in a sales agreement.
Important questions to ask your realtor or real estate agent:
Important questions to ask your lawyer:
Field staff at the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, and/or the soil specialist, may assist in the evaluation of land prior to your purchase to assess its suitability for your plans. It is very important that the quality of land matches the agricultural activity planned. Land can also be purchased by the Agricultural Development Board and leased to eligible farmers for six years, at which time it must be purchased. This can help in managing cash flow in the start-up years. (see Get funding for details).
Leasing Crown land is a possibility depending on location. About 50 per cent of New Brunswick land, which is mostly timber, is owned by the Crown. The Crown leases about 60,000 acres for agricultural activities, primarily maple syrup, blueberries, cranberries and community pastures. To obtain crown land the applicants usually need to already have an established business. See: Crown Lands - Acquiring Crown Land (gnb.ca)
A program was introduced in 2014 to lease Crown land for blueberry production. Details are at Crown land lease allocation process for wild blueberry cultivation (PDF).
Maps can be a useful tool in finding suitable lands. The Department has established new interactive maps to help prospective farmers begin to investigate areas and properties that may be favourable to certain crops.
The map is intended as a guide for both prospective new entrants and existing farmers looking for insight into where to establish specific crops and where to pursue further research and investigation.
Data including growing degree days, soil drainage, slope and frost risk were used to develop the maps. The maps also provide access to other useful information, including the property size and tax assessments for land.
Please note that the interactive map serves as a guide only. Each potential site should be individually inspected by a knowledgeable person to insure that the site meets all requirements for the intended crop.
There are several agricultural equipment dealers in New Brunswick that sell new and used equipment. A significant quantity of used farm machinery is sold through online classified sites such as Kijiji , Ironsearch , and Agriculturesearch , or in the classifieds in farm periodicals. (see Publications and online resources).
There are a number of farm supply stores across the province that sell animal feed and agricultural equipment, such as fencing equipment and animal feeders. Check your local Yellow Pages for listings under Farm Equipment, Farm Supplies and Feed Dealers.
Finding skilled and unskilled farm workers can be a challenge. Some sector organizations, such as Potatoes NB, offer help during peak harvest times.
Advertising for farm help can be done via many avenues today (e.g., the Internet Facebook, Kijiji, job bank listings, local newspapers, radio and television).
The Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council (CAHRC) is an excellent resource for the new or experienced farmer looking for assistance in finding help or receiving training in human resources and other related topics. It can be contacted at 1-866-430-7457 (toll-free) or at: www.cahrc-ccrha.ca
Hiring temporary foreign workers is another possibility that some farmers use, particularly for seasonal needs. New Brunswick has developed an employer guide to help employers navigate through this process. For more information on temporary and immigrant workers view Foreign worker resources.
The Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries offers a variety of training opportunities that are generally commodity specific. Commodity organizations, in turn, inform their members of such opportunities.
Other training courses are offered by the community colleges of New Brunswick in certain specialized areas such as pesticide training.
The New Brunswick Soil and Crop Improvement Association (NBSCIA) offers a number of one-day training seminars throughout the year. For longer-term training, the Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture (formerly the Nova Scotia Agricultural College) offers several programs. For more information, visit www.dal.ca/agriculture or call 902-893-6600.
The Centre for Continuing and Distance Education operated by Dalhousie University offers a variety of courses online and in class that may be of interest to beginning farmers. These courses include Exploring the Small Farm Dream, Tractor Safety, the Modern Shepherd, and a number of courses on organic farming. For more information, contact the Centre for Continuing and Distance Education at 902-893-6666 or visit Courses and Programs - Extended Learning - Dalhousie University.
Opportunities for agricultural training in French are available at the following universities and colleges:
Organic apprenticeship and mentoring programs:
There are programs offered or administered by the Atlantic Canada Organic Regional Network (ACORN): 1-866-322-2676 (toll-free).
SOIL Apprenticeship Program: Stewards of Irreplaceable Land (SOIL) is the only national farm apprenticeship program in Canada, with more than 75 farms participating. SOIL promotes apprenticeships which transfer lasting knowledge to both the farmer and apprentice. To access application forms and to view a full listing of farms offering apprenticeship opportunities, visit: www.soilapprenticeships.com.
For a comprehensive directory of agricultural training opportunities across Canada, see the website AGRI Skills | CAHRC-CCRHA or call the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council at 1-866-430-7457 (toll-free)