For a long time, farming in France was mostly passed down from one generation to the next within families. However, this is no longer the norm, and the arrival of new investors from outside the agricultural sector has sparked concerns. As more farmers retire without being replaced by their children, the question of who will feed France in the future becomes more pressing. In a time when geopolitical tensions highlight the importance of food security, there is growing worry that agriculture could be taken over by external investors who prioritize profit over tradition. French farming has traditionally been family-run, with children taking over their parents' farms. This model ensured the smooth transfer of knowledge and resources between generations. However, this model is gradually disappearing. According to a 2024 report by Terra Nova, nearly a third of all new farmers since 2010 have come from outside the farming family, compared to about 22.7% before 2010. This shift reflects a broader change in how farming is being approached today. Several factors are influencing this change. Farming can be physically demanding, and income can be unpredictable due to market fluctuations and regulations. The high cost of land and the media's portrayal of farming have also discouraged young people from entering the field. Additionally, many young people are pursuing other careers first before considering farming, or are influenced by negative messages from agricultural unions. These factors have created barriers for the next generation of farmers, opening the door to new entrants with different backgrounds. One of the most notable groups of new farmers is the NIMA (Non-Initiés à la Maison Agricole), people who have no prior experience in agriculture. These individuals now make up nearly half of those starting farms. They gained attention in the mid-2010s with urban farming projects and became more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people sought a more meaningful lifestyle. Initially seen as idealistic, recent studies show that some NIMA are now managing large farms, raising questions about their motivations. Are they entrepreneurs seeking new opportunities in farming, or are they acting on behalf of larger entities, such as multinational corporations or foreign governments, interested in agricultural land as an investment? Despite these uncertainties, NIMA are not yet enough to replace the large number of retiring farmers, especially in physically demanding sectors like horticulture, where early retirement is more common. Their non-agricultural backgrounds also create challenges, as traditional farming communities are not accustomed to working with people from different professional backgrounds. Meanwhile, the purchase of large tracts of farmland by foreign investors in countries like Romania and Spain adds to the concerns about agricultural sovereignty. To address the challenge of succession and ensure food security, collective farming models are gaining traction. These involve groups of farmers working together to share risks, resources, and responsibilities. Known as GAEC (Groupements Agricoles d'Exploitation en Commun) and EARL (Entreprise Agricole à Responsabilité Limitée), these models allow farmers to pool capital, share equipment, and collaborate on projects such as biogas production. These structures have been around for decades and are now expanding globally. These collective models are especially relevant today, as modern farmers seek a balance between work and family life, and want to avoid the isolation that traditional farming can bring. They also help preserve family traditions by allowing new generations to participate in farming while maintaining a connection to their roots. Additionally, these models can blend traditional and non-traditional farmers, creating hybrid approaches that may help sustain the agricultural sector. While these models offer promising solutions, they also come with challenges, including the need for agreement on shared goals and the management of changes in leadership over time. Support from the government and the agricultural community is also essential for their success. Despite these hurdles, French agriculture remains an attractive option for new entrants, especially as farms modernize and diversify. By embracing openness and innovation, France can ensure a sustainable future for its agricultural sector.