Michael Nantais, manager at vertical microgreens outfit Living Earth Farm, poses for a photograph in Toronto, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. Younger farmers and producers are now coming in armed with technology and influencing the trade as aging Canadian farmers take a backseat and head into retirement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
"Was my mind set on vertical farming when I switched to biology? The answer is no," Nantais recalled.Younger Canadians may not own the farmland or heavy machinery needed to launch traditional agriculture careers, but they are equipped with technology. That's changing how they get their foot in the door — even when they don't come from farm families.
Steeves recalled a school project a year ago when a student grew lettuce in their dorm room and was able to control different environments, moisture and light intensity remotely. Others are looking into more niche areas of the sector, he said — growing herbs or working in sustainable farming — which need fewer capital investments and resources to get operations going.
He operates the farm as a partner and plans to be there for a while."Hopefully, we can expand, increase our supply and start selling more of it." "A farmer isn't your classic picture, person standing in the field, getting their hands dirty working with animals," Steeves said.