Prince Edward County, ON — The Ontario Farmland Trust recently celebrated the protection of its 24th farm with a farmland conservation easement on September 15, 2024. The 38 hectare (94 acres) Hazell and Klaassen Farm, in the heart of Prince Edward County (PEC), is known locally as Stonefield Eden Alpacas. The couple have been raising alpacas on this land, although it has previously been planted to winter wheat, beans, peas, and corn.
The celebration included remarks from the landowner, Dee Hazell, and OFT Executive Director, Martin Straathof, as well as a farm tour of the beautiful property. In addition to the agricultural land, the farm also hosts a hardwood forest, wetlands and streams, North Bay coastline, and trees that are over 100 years old. The natural areas are home to a variety of wildlife, including several species at risk, like the Barn Swallow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Midland Painted Turtle, and Monarch Butterfly.
Placing a farmland easement on the Hazell and Klaassen Farm will not only ensure the agricultural land remains for agriculture, it also protects its natural areas. According to the 2021 agricultural census, PEC has lost 34,706 – or 23% – of its farmland since 2006. The 375 farms in PEC generated over $125 million in farm cash receipts in 2023, while approximately 25% sell directly to consumers either through farm stands, farmers’ markets, or CSA programs. Protecting the agricultural sector in PEC is vital for the economy, healthy communities, food security, and the environment.
The Ontario Farmland Trust could not have done this project without the help and support of many different organizations including: the Echo Foundation, the Consecon Foundation, the Woodcock Foundation, the Uplands Foundation, the Hodgson Family Foundation, the County Foundation, the Stuchberry Foundation, and the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Program (NSCSP), administered by the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, and funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) through the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF). Individual donor support also played a role in the protection of the Hazell and Klaassen Farm.
This project was made possible by the Government of Canada through the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund.
A portion of this project was donated to the Ontario Farmland Trust under the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program. This program provides enhanced tax incentives for individuals or corporations who donate ecologically significant land.
“We are so pleased to be celebrating the permanent protection of the Hazell and Klaassen Farm, adding to the 420 acres OFT has already protected in Prince Edward County,” says Martin Straathof, Executive Director of the Ontario Farmland Trust. “Farmland Easement Agreements are the strongest tool we have to protect a farm forever. The need to preserve farmland is serious, so we appreciate every opportunity to work with farmers such as Dee and Peter who are leading farmland protection efforts in their community. We also thank our funding partners for their support. We could not have accomplished this without them”.
FACTS:
- This marks Ontario Farmland Trust’s 24th conservation easement agreement
- This farm marks the 6th Farmland Easement Agreement held by OFT in Prince Edward County
- To date, the Ontario Farmland Trust has protected 26 farms and over 1100 hectares (2700 acres) of farmland throughout Ontario.
- The Hazell and Klaassen farm focus is raising alpacas.
- The farm offers a wide variety of habitat for terrestrial wildlife and aquatic wildlife alike with mature woodlots, wetlands, and streams.
ABOUT:
This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change.
Ce projet a été réalisé avec l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada agissant par l’entreprise du ministère fédéral de l’Environnement et du Changement climatique.