Wellington County is launching new comprehensive farm transition supports.
Over the coming decade its expected around 1000 farms in the county are likely to change ownership or management with the changes not only affecting farm families but also suppliers, processors and the broader rural economy.
According to the 2021 census, only 276 farms in Wellington County had written transition plans.
This new program offers families a variety of resources to suit different learning styles including;
- Practical planning guide: ‘Your Farm, Your Future’ provides structured questions, real-life scenarios, and specific advice for families with and without identified successors. Hard copies can be requested online or accessed digitally.
- Online course: In partnership with Loft32, farmers can access Farmers’ Bridge which includes two professionally developed courses: ‘Transition Foundations’ and ‘Transition Communications’. Courses are valued at $250 but are free until April 2026 for the first 100 participating Wellington County farms.
- In-person workshops: Three workshops will be held at the Grandway Event Centre between November 2025 and February 2026, featuring expert facilitators including Maggie Van Camp and Patti Durand of Brightrack. Topics include starting the transition process, navigating communication challenges, and redefining leadership roles during succession.
Jordan Grigg Agriculture Coordinator for Wellington County says families told them they needed practical, accessible resources to navigate what can be emotionally and financially complex conversations.