The Government of Prince Edward Island, in partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, has launched the revamped Future Farmer Program 2.0 to support new and emerging farmers in establishing profitable and sustainable farm businesses. The program provides mentorship, project funding, and training to help participants set business goals and strengthen essential planning, management, and technical skills.
Building on the previous version, the updated program offers increased investments and now includes two subprograms tailored to the varied needs of new farmers. The Agri-Start subprogram supports individuals beginning their agricultural careers, while the Continuing to Grow subprogram assists those who have started farming and have less than five years of reported farm income. Successful applicants can access funding for up to 10 years after registration, receive incentives aligned with Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) priorities, and benefit from mentoring, additional supports, tax relief programs, and Bona Fide Farmer Status.
The Future Farmer Program 2.0 is part of a broader suite of Sustainable CAP initiatives in PEI, which aim to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5 billion federal, provincial, and territorial investment (2023–2028) that includes $1 billion in federal programs and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs delivered by provinces and territories.
Officials emphasized the importance of supporting young and new farmers to ensure the long-term sustainability of agriculture on PEI. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, highlighted the need to invest in new farmers to maintain sector sustainability, while Deputy Premier Bloyce Thompson stressed that young farmers are essential to the province’s future, and the program reflects a commitment to reducing barriers and creating clear pathways for success in the industry.
