FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Prince Edward County, ON — The Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) is pleased to begin the new year by announcing the permanent protection of the 160-acre Ackerman property in Prince Edward County. The protection of the Ackerman property marks OFT’s 30th permanently protected farm, bringing the organization’s total conserved farmland to more than 3,100 acres.
As non-agricultural development pressures continue to grow in the region, more landowners are stepping forward to safeguard their farmland for the future. The Ackerman family joins a growing number of land stewards committed to protecting agricultural land and associated cultural and ecological features for generations to come.
“The protection of the Ackerman property highlights the importance of land conservation for future generations,” said Joel Enman, OFT’s Farmland Protection and Stewardship Program Manager. “Three species at risk identified on the property by OFT are migratory, and protecting this land ensures they continue to have a place to call home. In doing so, these species can continue to provide essential pollination and pest control services, supporting the long-term health of the land and the future generations of farmers who will operate it.”
The Ackerman property includes a mix of productive agricultural land and ecologically significant natural features. The farm’s Class 1 and 3 soils support hay and crop production, while mature woodlots, wetlands, and streams provide diverse terrestrial and aquatic habitats. These natural areas are suited to support several species at risk, including Barn Swallow, Monarch, Wood Thrush, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Midland Painted Turtle, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Eastern Whip-poor-will. OFT’s Farmland Protection and Stewardship team has confirmed the presence of Grasshopper Sparrows, Monarchs, and Barn Swallows on the property.
“From that first year on the farm in 1986, countless farm animals, most being rescues, misfits, and orphans, have lived long and happy lives here,” said Jen Ackerman, the property’s conservation easement donor. “Because of my deep love for the natural world, and because of the despair I feel as the wetlands, forests, shorelands and farmland are being sacrificed around the County as a result of non-agricultural development, I had to do all I could to save and protect the bit of heaven that, if I passed on, might one day be sold as a housing or cottage development.”
Placing a farmland easement on the Ackerman property ensures the land remains in agricultural use while also protecting its natural features. According to the 2021 Census of Agriculture, Prince Edward County has lost 34,706 acres—nearly 23%—of its farmland since 2006. Despite this decline, the county’s 375 farms generated more than $125 million in farm cash receipts in 2023, with approximately 25% selling directly to consumers through farm stands, farmers’ markets, and CSA programs. Protecting farmland in Prince Edward County is crucial to supporting the local economy, ensuring food security, promoting healthy communities, and preserving the environment.
The Ontario Farmland Trust is honoured to continue a long-term partnership with the property’s landowners to support their conservation goals and ensure the farmland conservation easement is upheld in perpetuity. OFT extends its sincere thanks to the staff, volunteers, donors, and supporters who made this project possible.
A portion of this project was donated to the Ontario Farmland Trust through the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program, which provides enhanced tax incentives to individuals and corporations who donate ecologically significant land. This project was also made possible through funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, delivered through the Ontario Land Trust Alliance.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Martin Straathof, Executive Director
519-781-3276
[email protected]
ABOUT ONTARIO FARMLAND TRUST
OFT’s province-wide mission is to protect and preserve farmlands and associated agricultural, natural, and cultural landscapes of food production for the benefit of Ontarians today and future generations. 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.
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ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA’S Ecological Gifts Program:
Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program provides a way for Canadians with ecologically sensitive land to protect nature and leave a legacy for future generations. Made possible by the terms of the Income Tax Act of Canada and the Quebec Taxation Act, it offers significant tax benefits to landowners who donate land or a partial interest in land to a qualified recipient. Recipients ensure that the land’s biodiversity and environmental heritage are conserved in perpetuity.
To learn more about the Ecological Gifts Program, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-funding/ecological-gifts-program.html
ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA’S Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund
Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) is a $1.4 billion, ten-year fund (2021–2031) administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada to help conserve, restore, and enhance the management of ecosystems such as wetlands, peatlands, forests, and grasslands, to help tackle the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The NSCSF focuses on three main objectives: (1) conserving carbon-rich ecosystems at high risk of conversion to other uses that would release their stored carbon; (2) improving land management practices to reduce their greenhouse gas emission-causing impacts on Canada’s ecosystems; and (3) restoring degraded ecosystems. Overall, these projects will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and increased carbon sequestration, while also providing benefits for biodiversity and human well-being.
ABOUT ONTARIO LAND TRUST ALLIANCE (OLTA)
Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA) focuses on providing community, knowledge sharing and support to land trusts across Ontario. It empowers and supports highly effective, well-governed land trusts that engage their communities to protect forests, wetlands, nature, and water sources and provide natural climate solutions. OLTA builds capacity through training and educational programs, connecting land trusts to each other, resources, and their communities, leading and supporting on-the-ground conservation work, sharing knowledge and best practices, reducing financial barriers to land conservation, promoting organizational excellence, providing access to current research and acting as a voice for land trusts among the public, governments, and other rightsholders.
Our impact is Ontario-wide through 51 connected charities and communities. OLTA’s local land trust members currently collectively own and steward over 2,000 natural areas and green spaces across Ontario, with the leadership of thousands of supporters and volunteers annually. To support your local land trust, visit OLTA.ca.
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