Family Farms Aren’t Coming Back - Ironwood Organics | The Hands That Feed Us: On Tour - Ep19

Recorded in Brockville, ON

What happens when the land that feeds us becomes increasingly difficult for the next generation of farmers to afford — while the climate they depend on becomes increasingly unpredictable?

With Chris Wooding of Ironwood Organics in Brockville, Ontario, there was a conversation about the forces reshaping Canadian agriculture, from rising farmland prices and an aging farming population to climate change and the growing consolidation of land into larger operations. For Chris, climate change isn't some distant possibility. It's already influencing decisions on the farm, from delayed planting and crop failures to increasingly unpredictable harvests. With only one growing season to work with, extreme weather can mean significant financial losses, and an entire year before there's another opportunity to try again.

Chris shares how his farm is responding through crop diversification, heritage and ancient grains, and practical approaches to building more resilient growing environments. By improving soil health, retaining moisture, restoring hedgerows, and creating beneficial microclimates, farmers can help their land withstand temperature extremes and changing weather patterns. But adaptation takes work, and the financial risks remain.

At the heart of the discussion is a bigger question about sustainability: how can we build an agricultural system that is both environmentally resilient and economically viable? If we want farmers to adapt to a changing climate and continue feeding our communities, we also need to consider whether the current system gives them the resources, land, and financial security to do so.

Listen to Episode 19 below: