Guelph, ON – The Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) is proud to announce that it has been awarded $89,466 in funding from the Greenbelt Foundation to advance its project, Future Vision for the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (DRAP). This initiative will ensure that DRAP, Ontario’s only agricultural preserve, reaches its full potential as a cornerstone of the region’s food system while strengthening farmland protection and sustainability efforts.
Located adjacent to the Rouge National Urban Park and encompassing some of Ontario’s most valuable farmland, DRAP plays a critical role in supporting a vibrant agri-food sector in Durham Region, a leading agricultural producer contributing $354 million to Ontario’s total farm production. Through this project, OFT will collaborate with farmers, local stakeholders, and agricultural experts to create a long-term vision for the preserve, aiming to enhance its agricultural productivity, support sustainable soil management practices, and economic development opportunities for farmers. The vision will also leverage ongoing work from Durham Region’s Growing Agri-Food Action Plan, ensuring alignment with regional priorities for strengthening the local food system.
“The Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve is home to some of Canada’s best farmland, which is a finite resource that Ontario is losing at a rate of 319 acres per day,” said Martin Straathof, Executive Director of OFT. “We will work closely with farmers and community partners to develop a shared vision for the preserve that supports a strong and sustainable food production system and serves as a cornerstone of a thriving local economy.”
The project will include farmer and community engagement through surveys and workshops to identify challenges, opportunities, and best practices for farmland stewardship. Farmers will also have access to soil health testing and analysis to guide improvements in soil management. The final outcome will be a comprehensive vision document outlining opportunities for DRAP, along with policy and program recommendations to achieve success and ensure DRAP remains a hub for food production in the province.
With global food systems facing increasing challenges, there has never been a more critical time to invest in Ontario’s prime agricultural lands. Recent international trade tensions, such as new U.S. tariffs on Canadian food exports, underscore the importance of securing a resilient local food supply. By developing a strong, forward looking vision for DRAP, this project will help safeguard the farmland essential to Ontario’s food security and economy.
As part of its commitment to farmland protection, OFT is leading this initiative to provide farmers and policymakers with the data, tools, and strategies needed to ensure DRAP remains a thriving part of Ontario’s agricultural system. The outcomes of this project will not only benefit Durham Region but also serve as a model for farmland preservation efforts across the province.
“The Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve represents a vital part of Ontario’s agricultural landscape, providing productive farmland, local food, and economic opportunities for farmers,” says Edward McDonnell, CEO of the Greenbelt Foundation. “We are proud to support the Ontario Farmland Trust in developing a long-term vision that will protect this resource and ensure it continues to contribute to a resilient local food system and thriving rural communities.”
The Future Vision for the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve project is made possible through the support of the Greenbelt Foundation, which works to strengthen the resilience of Ontario’s Greenbelt and ensure its long-term viability as a working landscape.
OFT’s province-wide mission is to protect and preserve farmlands and associated agricultural, natural, and cultural landscapes of the countryside. The charitable organization advances its mission through land protection, stewardship, policy research, and education. To learn more about the project and OFT, visit www.ontariofarmlandtrust.ca.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Martin Straathof, Executive Director
519-781-3276
[email protected]
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