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Alumni Lauchie and Jolene MacEachern are featured in this month's issue of Country Guide Magazine.

Is it still possible to start farming from scratch? “If scratch means no farm assets and a good work ethic with a passion for agriculture, yes it can be done,” says Elaine Froese, farm succession coach from Boissevain, Man.

But how? Especially when the capital assets needed to be competitive have become so huge?

Today, new farmers are finding more and more creative solutions. Some use the traditional small start, which means they rent equipment and land. Others try their hands at direct or niche marketing. Or in some sectors they use new entrant programs, like those offered by the supply-managed boards.

They also excel at creating partnerships, swapping sweat equity for access to assets, and using creative financing.

It turns out their passion is so deep, they’ll beg, barter and borrow their way into farming.

Yet succession to non-family members remains rare.

Lessons from a non-family farm succession
For Lauchie and Jolene MacEachern, a seven-year dream becomes a reality