As autumn settles in, the land invites us, as it always has, to savour the final harvest. Whether it be through steaming soups, warm roasts, or the anticipation of cooling pies, these small joys carry the stories of farmers rising before dawn day after day, and the many hands that followed to ensure that those we love gather with full plates.
Though it would be remiss not to reflect on the stories that accompany these cherished moments – strawberry fields paved over, corn fields replaced with subdivisions, the slow dwindling of butterflies, birds, and bats that once fluttered over hedgerows. Across Ontario, those losses are still happening as we lose an average of 9 family farms every day. They remind us that the abundance we cherish at Thanksgiving is not guaranteed. It depends on what we do today.
This year, with the help of donors like you, the Ontario Farmland Trust marked milestones that speak to both urgency and hope:
In Eastern Ontario, the number of farmers and landowners seeking farmland protection grew so quickly that we hired our first Farmland Coordinator for the region. Jenna’s work ensures new and registered conservation easements are stewarded, partnerships are nurtured, and communities are engaged in protecting what they love.
In Durham Region, we launched the Future Vision for the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (DRAP), a once-in-a-generation opportunity to facilitate a shared future for Ontario’s only agricultural preserve. The lessons drawn from this work will ripple across the province, guiding communities, planners, and municipalities alike to imagine what farmland protection can look like.
At the Bourgeois Farm in Tiverton, the demonstration plots, farmland access program, community gardens and various other activities are coming to fruition under the guidance of new staff, Chelsea and Ben. These spaces are productive fields, classrooms, gathering places, and a reminder of the deep connection that communities have with neighbouring farmland.
And by early 2026, together with your support, we will have protected 1,563 acres of farmland across the counties of Prince Edward, Grey, Simcoe, Frontenac, Prescott & Russell, and Lennox & Addington, and the regions of Waterloo and Peel, with farmers and landowners committed to preventing non-agricultural development on their land.
Each milestone is cause for celebration, and together, they form something even more poignant: momentum. This year, OFT has reached more people, engaged more volunteers, and made it out to a record number of community events and presentations. The word about farmland loss is spreading, and it’s because so many people like you are behind it.
Now, it is our turn to carry the torch forward. Because the pressures facing Ontario’s most fertile soils are relentless. And yet, we are not backing down. We’re steadfast in the legacy we’re planning to leave behind.
Your gift this fall is an act of solidarity with farmers, farming communities, and the future of local food access for generations to come. It is a declaration that you value farmland, and you want it safeguarded for the future.
With your support, we will:
- Reach our goal of 10,000 acres protected by 2029
- Ensure dedicated one-on-one support to landowners who want to conserve their land
- Open doors for the next generation of farmers to access farmland
- Create educational and proactive opportunities to connect more communities with farmland protection
When the land nourishes us, and the hands that care for it help feed our loved ones, we have the chance to give back by protecting it. Make your donation today to show your support.
Warm regards,
Martin Straathof
Executive Director
P.S. We are always here to discuss our initiatives or explore how you can lend your time, thoughts, or resources to further our cause. Reach out to us. Your ideas and enthusiasm are the lifeblood of our mission.