Eaglet Lake Farmers' Institute is 100 years old.
"We're one of the oldest farmers' institutes in the province and we're still active," said Andrew Adams, secretary for the 20-member group. "Many farmers' institutes are shutting down."
So 80 per cent of Canadian farmers are looking to retire in the next decade and three quarters of them don't have anyone to take over the farm, he added.
"So you're watching the agriculture industry disappear right before your very eyes," said Adams, who has a bachelor of science in agriculture based in natural resource management.
Adams never thought he would get into farming until he moved to Prince George in 2010.
"I almost felt obligated - like I had to do it," said Adams, who owns 150-acre Hope Farm Organics.
Farming is key to environmental sustainability.
The Eaglet Lake Farmers' Institute started the Young Farmer's Project when then 11-year-old Dylan Pepin approached them during a meeting to ask for support with a project he wanted to try where he used an incubator to hatch a flock of ducks to raise.
The Young Farmers Project is geared for school-age children and ELFI got funding from the Regional District of Fraser Fort George as well as providing their own to make it happen.
"We're putting out the word to young children who would like to try hatching eggs or starting a greenhouse or even a bee hive," said Adams. "We're willing to fund it, provide the supplies and even a mentor because a lot of our people have the experience."
