We hear and talk a lot about how bleak the future is for young or beginning farmers. Certainly, they don’t have to go too far to find discouraging messages. But if you talk to young producers, you will find they have positive attitudes, they’re optimistic about the future and focused on new opportunity. They don’t want things to be — like they used to be. They are too busy looking for the new future of farming in Ontario.
The following is an interview sourced and provided by the Junior Farmers Association of Ontario (JFAO). We will run more of these profiles in the future. It’s time for young farmers to have a voice and more importantly, it’s time for the rest of us to listen.

Joe Dickenson is a 25-year-old farmer located near Sarnia in Lambton County. JFAO provincial director and Lambton County president Don McGugan sat down with Joe to learn more about his involvement in agriculture and his vision for the future of farming.— The editor

Don McGugan: How are you involved in agriculture?

Joe Dickenson: I am presently working to build my cow-calf operation. I have 35 cows and am expanding rapidly. I prefer the Simmental breed and hope to have a purebred herd eventually. In addition, I also have a haying business that encompasses everything from seeding to marketing and I’m a forage and pasture seed salesman for General Seed Company.

I also work full-time for my father as his nutrition expert and hired hand. My father runs 46 dairy cows and also farms 500 acres. We have 100 acres of hay and have a rotation of corn, beans and wheat on the remainder of the land.

I am also involved in agriculture as the Dairy Herd Improvement representative for Lambton County and as the leader of our local 4-H dairy club. I am on the Brigden Fair board and act as president of the Farm House Association of Guelph, Ont. Finally, I am heavily involved in Junior Farmers as the executive director of fund development for the Junior Farmer Association of Ontario and also the vice-president of Lambton County Junior Farmers.

DM: Can you tell us why you are involved in agriculture?

JD: Farming is what I have always known. I have a real comfort factor with agriculture. I really enjoy the diversity of my farm — things are always changing and you must think outside of the box to be successful.

DM: You have a university degree and could do a variety of things. Why do you choose to work as a farmer?

JD: Again, I like the diversity of my farm. Tasks that I have to do change day to day and season to season. If I was, for example, a dairy nutritionist, I would be performing the same tasks day after day. In operating a farm, things change all the time.

I also like being my own boss and not having to report to anyone. I also enjoy the physical labor that comes with working on a farm.

I do have an agricultural science university degree from the University of Guelph, and I think of that as backup — I am able to consider other occupations if I wish. I took one year of my degree at the University of Alberta (U of A) and it was a very valuable experience. I joined an ag fraternity called the FarmHouse Fraternity while at the U of A and it’s provided an excellent opportunity to meet people, travel and share experiences.

DM: Being as involved in agriculture as you are, you must have had some mentors. Could you name a few?

JD: I have to list my father, George Dickenson, as a great mentor to me. He has always been there for me and taught me a great deal. I also have to list Jack Kyle, grazier specialist with OMAF and University of Guelph professor Owen Roberts. Tom Field, a pasture-based dairy producer in Middlesex County and Tim Pryor of Brussels Agri-Service have also been particularly good mentors to me.

DM: As a young farmer with an extensive involvement on a number of levels, can you give us your vision for the future of agriculture?

JD: I think for agriculture to prosper, we need to make direct contact with the consumer. That will be key for producers of commodities to be successful. Bigger does not always mean successful or profitable.

I think that we should have consumers on the farm, talking directly to us as the producers of their food. We have to listen to what they want and need and not just produce whatever we want.

I also think that we should investigate co-operative processing plants and other forms of co-operation amongst producers. For example, there are co-op grocery stores in Saskatchewan. Maybe that idea could work here.

Ultimately, I believe what we need is a closer connection to the community. That will determine our success.

DM: Can you give us some idea of your own personal goals in agriculture?

JD: I ultimately want to have my own farm and farm full-time. I would also like to get a historical farm up and running, but that is a long-term goal that will take some time. I really enjoy the history of machinery and enjoy restoring vintage machinery.

DM: Thanks for your time today, Joe.

JD: No problem, Don.  CG