News
Young people eager to dig into farming

August 26, 2009, Edmonton, Alta.
– 
Sneh Duggal
Jordan Wilson grew up as a city boy.
He lived in Edmonton and did not experience much country life, except when he visited his grandparents' farm.

"I used to think, 'I am sure glad that I am not working on a farm,'" the 26-year-old said.
But after learning about farming and spending more than three months looking after chickens, cows and steers, Wilson changed his mind.
"I've come to realize that food is really important to me. It's a passion," said Wilson, who has been doing an apprenticeship at Sunworks organic poultry farm since mid-May.

Wilson and about eight others spent their summer at different farms in the Edmonton or Peace River regions through the new Alberta Sustainable Agriculture Apprenticeship Program.

Program co-ordinator Becky Lipton said she found there was a lack of help for people who did not come from a farming background, but were considering a career in farming.

"I'd like them to walk away with a real understanding of what it takes to be a farmer," Lipton said.
"From that, they can make an educated decision on whether it's a career they want to pursue or not."
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