What does it look like when rural development is viewed as finding ways to better serve the people that call rural areas home versus developing rural areas into cities? Too often, says Dr. Ashleigh Weeden, rural development policy fails to really consider what rural areas need more of and how to best support these projects,… Read More

With farmland under pressure from urban expansion, conservation needs, and economic development, it raises the critical — and contentious — question: who should decide how land is used? Private landowners’ rights are essential and rightfully expected in Canada, but there’s also an argument to be made that the public has a stake in land-use decisions… Read More

Southwestern Ontario is home to some of Canada’s most productive farmland, and a “perfect storm” of low interest rates, stretches of high commodity prices and relatively good weather have driven farmland prices to dizzying heights in the region. Ryan Parker from London, Ont.- based Valco Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants, which produces an annual survey… Read More

Across much of Canada, there have traditionally been very few options for landowners to get paid for the overall value created by land conservation. Whether it’s grassland, farmland, or a different form of natural habitat, the broader societal benefits of that land often go unrecognized. Instead, land is converted, sold, and developed for uses that… Read More

Investing in farmland has been a very secure investment over the past twenty-five-plus years. Many times over that period, people have speculated on the demise of Canadian farmland’s value or its ability to keep pace and increase in value like it has historically. In October of 2024, the RealAgristudies Insights Panel weighed in, with 36… Read More

In Episode 15 of The Truth About Ag Podcast, Kristjan Hebert and Evan Shout dive into the complex world of land management and expansion with Darrel Monette of Monette Farms. Known for its impressive —and sometimes controversial— growth over the past 15 years, Monette Farms has become a force across multiple regions. Darrel shares hard-won… Read More

Farm Credit Canada has published its farmland value report for the mid-way mark of 2024, with Saskatchewan leading the way with growth of 7.4%. The overall Canadian average for January to June 2024 sits at 5.4%, despite a challenging financial climate of elevated interest rates and lower commodity prices. All provinces posted positive gains on… Read More