FLEXIBLE AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGES FOR CANADIAN FARMERS
Glengarry's Agricultural Mortgages are designed for established Canadian farmers who need flexible financing beyond what traditional lenders can offer. Whether you're purchasing farmland, refinancing existing debt, financing an ownership transition, or bridging a short-term financing need, we provide practical mortgage solutions tailored to the realities of farming.
While banks and credit unions serve an important role in agricultural lending, their financing options aren't always the right fit for every farm or every situation. That's where Glengarry comes in. We look beyond rigid lending criteria to understand your operation and provide flexible mortgage solutions that help farmers move forward with confidence.
Our goal is to provide the capital and flexibility farmers need to navigate periods of transition, seize growth opportunities, or strengthen their financial position. Glengarry serves as a short-term financing partner, providing farmers with the time and flexibility they need until mainstream banking becomes the right fit again.
WHAT CAN AN AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE BE USED FOR?
Farmland purchases
Debt consolidation and refinancing
Partner, shareholder, and spousal buyouts
Bridge financing
Farm expansion
Other agricultural financing needs
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Neither! Glengarry is Canadas first institutional private agricultural lender. As an alternative lender, our ultimate goal is to help our clients get through a tough time until they’re back to a comfortable financial position where they can get approved by traditional lenders again.
We finance typical Canadian family farming-style operations which are food-based and commercial in nature. This could be a dairy, meat animal operation, grain farm, or other fruit or vegetable production. We don’t have specific restrictions on the commodity being farmed, but it does have to be large in scale and the property must be large enough for a farming operation.
Glengarry has a minimum mortgage amount of $500,000.
Our rates are established on a case-by-case basis, and change very often, so you won’t find our rates published on our website. However, you can click here to see an overview and explanation of our typical rate range.
Low credit scores can occur for a number of reasons. Sometimes it’s due to several late or missed payments in the past, or from too many recent inquiries. We really want to work with our borrowers on improving financial health, so an individual approach is taken with each file and the credit history.
Conventional lenders such as banks have specific criteria they use to approve or decline a mortgage. Excellent credit and strong financial history are among the factors being looked at. But what happens if you have missed payments in the past, or had a bad production year that brought your income down?
As an alternative lender, we can look past some of the things which would otherwise make a borrower too high-risk for traditional lenders. We see your farm as a whole, and focus on much more than just the bottom line or credit score. Whether you need cash out for operations, or to pay off another mortgage or loan, Glengarry has a solution for your farm that's customized to you.
At this time Glengarry does not offer equipment financing. Dealerships, banks, and credit unions all have excellent programs for equipment loans, with rates that can’t be beat. We always suggest that our clients manage their own equipment financing needs to save money.
We have physical offices in Alberta and Ontario, but we lend in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and PEI. Our team members will travel to you if/when needed.
From first contact to a term sheet or discussion paper, we usually require just a few days if a borrower has all paperwork ready to go (see above). From term sheet acceptance to funding, we can usually close in as little as five weeks’ time. Length of time to funding depends on any number of factors such as appraiser availability, lawyer timelines, and readiness of paperwork.
Getting started is easy! To first assess your eligibility you’ll need to tell us a bit about your farm, including the reason you’re looking for financing, how much you are looking to borrow, your gross annual sales, and your principal source of farm revenue. This will help us determine whether we may be able to provide financing.
Once we determine your potential eligibility, you’ll need to demonstrate a clear financial snapshot of your farm. At the time of loan submission we’ll need:
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Three years’ accountant-prepared financial statements or last three years’ T1 with Farm Schedule (T2042 Statement Of Farming Activities)
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Net worth statement (Both personal and corporate)
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Cash flow projection or business plan demonstrating projected revenues and expenses for the coming year
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CRA Notice of Assessments for all borrowers and guarantors (including corporations)
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Because we are entering into a legal mortgage contract with every borrower, we do charge prepayment penalties if a borrower decides to end their contractual obligation early. But, because we are an alternative mortgage lender, our terms are very short – as little as one year – so we can support our farmers getting back to their banks quickly at lower prime lending rates.
On a case-by-case basis, we have occasionally done so, but only when the production is established. A greenhouse is a specialized type of operation and production history is important. Greenhouses also depreciate very quickly, and are often valued with equipment included. Since we lend chiefly on land and the strength of the operation, loan to value is often the stress point when we are evaluating a greenhouse.
MEET OUR CLIENTS
Every farm tells a different story. Here are six real scenarios (anonymized to protect client privacy) showing how Glengarry stepped in when a farm needed a financing partner who understood the full picture.
THE SITUATION
A dairy farm in Ontario was under financial pressure after a family ownership change, legal obligations, and growing debt started affecting cash flow and day-to-day operations. Their existing banking relationship was also coming to an end.
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THE OPPORTUNITY
Even with the challenges, the farm had strong fundamentals, including productive farmland, dairy infrastructure, and valuable quota. With the right financing solution, the operation had a solid path forward.
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THE SOLUTION
Glengarry provided a $2M restructuring facility that combined existing debt into one loan, settled legal obligations, and supported the ownership transition.
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THE RESULT
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Combined multiple debts into one simpler facility
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Improved cash-flow flexibility
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Helped stabilize the operation during transition
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Positioned the farm for future growth
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THE SITUATION
A well-established Manitoba grain operation was presented with an unexpected opportunity when a landlord decided to sell a parcel of farmland on short notice. The farm held a first right of refusal on the property, but the purchase came just months after another land acquisition had already utilized much of the operation's available capital.
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THE OPPORTUNITY
The farmland was strategically important to the operation and represented a rare chance to secure additional acres. While the borrowers were fully bankable and had no credit concerns, using operating capital to complete the purchase created pressure on their line of credit at a critical time of year when significant crop input expenses were approaching.
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THE SOLUTION
Glengarry provided $500K in financing that allowed the farm to replenish its working capital while maintaining ownership of the newly acquired land. The solution helped bridge the gap between the land purchase and seasonal operating needs.
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THE RESULT
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Secured a strategic land acquisition
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Restored access to operating capital ahead of the growing season
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Maintained financial flexibility during a high-demand period
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Demonstrated how alternative financing can complement traditional lending—even for strong, prime borrowers
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THE SITUATION
An Alberta cattle operation faced financial pressure following several challenging years marked by drought, increased feed costs, and difficult market conditions. While the operation had worked to catch up on missed payments, its primary lender chose not to renew existing facilities, creating an urgent need for a new financing solution.
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THE OPPORTUNITY
Despite the recent challenges, the farm remained a viable operation with a substantial land base and strong long-term prospects. The owners had a clear plan to reduce debt through the sale of non-essential land and equipment, but needed time and flexibility to execute that strategy.
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THE SOLUTION
Glengarry provided $5.4M in financing to consolidate existing debt and create a path forward. The structure gave the operation the time needed to complete planned asset sales while maintaining day-to-day operations and improving overall financial stability.
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THE RESULT
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Consolidated multiple debts into a single facility
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Provided breathing room to execute a debt reduction strategy
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Preserved operational continuity during a challenging period
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Positioned the farm for improved long-term financial health
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THE SITUATION
A poultry operation near Georgian Bay was expanding as part of a succession plan, but temporary cash-flow pressure made it difficult to access traditional financing.
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THE OPPORTUNITY
The farm had strong operations, valuable quota, and a clear long-term growth plan. With the right financing structure, the next stage of expansion could move forward.
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THE SOLUTION
Glengarry provided a $7.25M facility to help fund a new broiler barn, purchase additional quota, and create more financial flexibility during expansion.
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THE RESULT
Funded construction of a new broiler barn
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Supported additional quota purchases
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Improved flexibility during expansion
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Helped support long-term growth and succession planning
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THE SITUATION
A Saskatchewan grain operation required additional working capital ahead of the 2026 growing season. An unexpected delay in year-end financial reporting created challenges with its primary lender, resulting in the cancellation of the farm's operating line at a critical time for purchasing seed, fertilizer, and other crop inputs.
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THE OPPORTUNITY
Despite the temporary financing challenge, the operation remained fundamentally strong. The farm had a substantial land base, significant equity, and a long history of successful farming. A recent appraisal on three parcels of farmland came in higher than expected, creating an opportunity to unlock equity and improve cash flow while longer-term financing arrangements were put in place.
THE SOLUTION
Glengarry provided $1.3M in financing, secured by a portion of the farm's land holdings, allowing the operation to access equity and secure the working capital needed for the upcoming crop year. The financing provided flexibility while the borrowers worked with a new accounting team to update their financial reporting.
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THE RESULT
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Accessed equity from existing farmland assets
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Secured working capital ahead of planting season
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Improved short-term cash flow and financial flexibility
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Allowed the operation to continue focusing on crop production without disruption
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THE SITUATION
After a failed modernization project and halted milk production, a family dairy farm in Eastern Ontario entered receivership, putting more than 1,000 acres and the family’s home farm at risk.
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THE OPPORTUNITY
Despite the financial challenges, the farm still held significant land value and had a path toward recovery with the right restructuring support.
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THE SOLUTION
Glengarry provided a $6.5M restructuring facility that gave the family time to complete orderly land sales, preserve equity, and retain their home farm and core acreage.
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THE RESULT
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Avoided a forced liquidation
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Preserved land value and family equity
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Helped the family retain their home farm
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Created a path toward stabilization and recovery
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OUR PROCESS
At Glengarry, we’ve designed our lending process to be straightforward, efficient, and transparent. We understand the unique challenges farmers face, and our goal is to be a financial partner you can trust and rely on. From assessing your eligibility to securing funding, we work with you every step of the way to help your business thrive.
CONNECT
Begin on our Get Started page. If you’re just exploring options, you can learn more about our typical rates and approach. If you’re ready to take the next step, a short eligibility questionnaire will help confirm fit. From there, we’ll email you a secure link to our pre-application form, where you can share financial information similar to what your bank would request.
GET AN APPLICATION STARTED
After review, one of our Relationship Managers will respond promptly to discuss your needs and explore how we can help you achieve your financial goals. Your Glengarry Relationship Manager may also arrange to meet you on your farm and assess your property.
CONSIDER TERMS
A Discussion Paper or "Term Sheet" will be presented to you outlining a proposed mortgage with terms and conditions.
ACCEPT
Once you accept the Term Sheet, we start the formal approval process to commit and fund the mortgage.
OUR PROCESS
Click the link below to fill out our simple contact form or get in touch with one of our Relationship Managers directly. We will respond quickly to discuss your needs and see if we can help you achieve your financial goals.
OUR PROCESS
Provide us with your financial statements so we can gain a deeper understanding of your business. After review, your Glengarry Relationship Manager may meet you on your farm and assess your property.
OUR PROCESS
A Discussion Paper or "Term Sheet" will be presented to you outlining a proposed mortgage with terms and conditions.
OUR PROCESS
Once you accept the Term Sheet, we start the formal approval process to commit and fund the mortgage.
