Agriculture is more than a means of survival; it’s a bridge between sustainability and generational wealth. My journey through finance and agricultural project management has revealed both the vast promise of this sector and the systemic barriers that keep many Black and underrepresented farmers from scaling their ventures.

The Barriers: Land and Financing

The biggest challenges I’ve observed are land ownership and financing. Land is the foundation of farming, yet it remains expensive and difficult to access without generational wealth or strong collateral. Many Black and immigrant farmers lease land on short-term terms, which discourages long-term investment in soil health or infrastructure. Without ownership, planning becomes difficult.

“Land is more than property; it’s power, identity, and the foundation of generational wealth.”

Financing poses another major obstacle. Lenders often see smallholder or first-generation farmers as high-risk due to limited assets, credit history, or formal records. This creates a cycle where farmers cannot scale, adopt new technologies, or diversify their operations.

Innovative Ownership and Financing Models

To overcome these barriers, I advocate for innovative ownership structures and enhanced financing models. Shared ownership, like the cooperative models or lease-to-own arrangements, allows equitable access to land as it offers small-scale farmers the opportunity to pool resources, share equipment, and access markets collectively. This reduces individual capital burdens and fosters resilience.

A blended financing model which combines public, private, and philanthropic capital can de-risk agricultural investments, bridging the financial gaps. Government-backed guarantees blended with provincial grants and the entrepreneur’s equity provide a pathway for emerging farmers to access credit.

Tech-enabled micro-farming solutions, such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and vertical farming, empower farmers to grow high-value crops in smaller spaces. These models reduce dependency on large tracts of land and can be scaled with relatively low capital investment.

Unlocking Access to Capital

With my background in both finance and agriculture, I know that unlocking access to capital for a Black-owned business requires a strategic mix of funding sources, partnerships, and support services. Traditional financing models need to be re-conceptualised to correct historical inequities.

A blended finance model offers a promising path as it combines public capital with private investment and can help absorb early-stage risks. For example, if a government fund guarantees the first 20% of potential losses, banks would be more willing to lend to emerging farmers. Support services, including financial literacy and business advisory programs, further enhance success rates.

Investors focused on social impact, sustainability, and equity are increasingly turning to agriculture. Black-led farms prioritising regenerative practices and climate resilience can attract ESG-focused capital and long-term investment.

“Agriculture must evolve from survival to sovereignty for Black communities.”

Balancing Urban Growth and Agricultural Land

My recent research revealed an interesting challenge in the Edmonton area – urban expansion. Immigration driven growth and rising housing demand have led to farmland encroachment, while farming sometimes moves into forests and wetlands, causing habitat loss. 

Yet, this tension presents opportunities. Cities can balance growth and food production by supporting community farming models like Prairie Urban Farms and the Green and Gold Farm, where I volunteer. These initiatives connect people to urban plots, foster partnerships, and reduce food insecurity.

Rooftop gardens, like the one at the University of Alberta, make smart use of limited space while connecting people to nature in the city. Technology adds even more potential. Vertical hydroponics allows farmers to grow more food on less land, an essential solution for urban areas with limited space and rising demand for food. 

Land Ownership and Generational Wealth

Land ownership and agricultural entrepreneurship are powerful tools for building generational wealth, especially in Black communities. Land is a tangible asset that provides collateral, access to credit, and long-term security, allowing families to pass down financial stability from generation to generation.

To further consolidate wealth, Vertical integration of farm produce is necessary. Integration, processing and branding of farm produce keep profits within the business. Turning harvested tomatoes into packaged sauces or apples into juices maximises value. Agritourism and eco-services create additional income streams and resilience against market shifts. An example is the Edmonton Corn maze, which offers fresh farm produce, family fun, and adventure.

Land ownership also strengthens cultural and social identity. Communities can grow culturally relevant crops, reduce reliance on imported foods, and reinforce food sovereignty. The Canadian Black Farmers Association (CBFA) supports this by helping Black farmers cultivate African and Caribbean crops locally.

Lessons in Risk and Financial Discipline

Success in agriculture depends as much on financial discipline as on production. Many agribusinesses fail not because of poor yields, but due to weak financial management. In Canada, where the growing season is short and unpredictable, maintaining cash flow during the off-season is essential. Without liquidity, even profitable farms can struggle to meet fixed expenses, invest in equipment, or prepare for the next planting cycle.

During my tenure as Director at Farmally, an agricultural investment firm, I helped raise over $100,000 for ventures such as cattle fattening and rice milling. Managing these funds required careful planning, accurate record-keeping, and consistent returns. Even though the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard, we maintained investor confidence and operational stability by adhering to sound financial strategies and transparent communication.

Risk diversification also played a key role in our resilience. When transport restrictions negatively impacted our cattle fattening program, we offset those losses with gains from rice milling, due to increased demand for rice as palliatives. We also found value in circular resource use – recycling rice husks into cattle feed minimised costs while maintaining returns.  In agriculture, where external shocks are inevitable, trust is as valuable as capital. Strong relationships with suppliers fostered trust and flexibility, helping us navigate uncertainty and sustain momentum.

A Vision for the Next Generation

If I could design a national initiative to empower the next generation of Black agric-preneurs, it would rest on four pillars: land access, financial empowerment, culturally relevant training, and policy advocacy. The goal is to build generational wealth, food sovereignty, and climate resilience through Black-led agriculture.

A Land-Link Platform could connect retiring farmers with aspiring Black growers for intergenerational land transfer, while an e-marketplace for Black-grown products expands market reach. Micro-grants would fund essentials like cold storage and irrigation.

Partnerships with AAFC, ESG investors, Indigenous stewards, and universities would sustain the vision. Policy reforms: accepting non-land collateral, expanding crop insurance, and embedding equity in public funding are vital to levelling the field.

With intentional support and bold collaboration, we can cultivate not just farms, but futures.