Ontario’s farmland, a cornerstone of our agricultural heritage and economy, is under unprecedented threat.
Rapid urban expansion, shifting economic dynamics, and evolving land-use policies are leading to an alarming rate of farmland loss. This not only jeopardizes our food security but also undermines the ecological balance and long-term sustainability of our region. The local-level protection of our farmlands is no longer a choice; it is an urgent imperative.
What is the Community Mobilization Strategy?
The Community Mobilization Strategy, led by the Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT), equips community members in Greenbelt and Greenbelt-adjacent communities to effectively highlight farmland loss in their municipalities and champion stronger farmland protection policies through support, resources, and tools developed by OFT.
Ontario’s municipal election cycles present critical opportunities to raise the visibility of farmland protection as both a public and political issue. With third-party appeals of planning decisions having been largely eliminated through recent provincial planning reforms, the focus must shift toward prevention, early awareness, and local civic capacity.
By supporting community-led awareness campaigns and equipping residents with advocacy tools, we can ensure that farmland loss remains a central theme in local political conversations.
Ontario’s next municipal election is October 26th, 2026.
Municipal elections in Ontario have a direct impact on farmland protection. While the province sets the planning framework, municipal councils decide how it is applied through approving projects including Official Plans, Zoning By‑laws, boundary expansions, and developments. These decisions determine whether farmland is preserved or converted, shaping rural landscapes for decades. As Councils hold this influence, resident engagement in the 2026 municipal election is crucial.
Become a Community Mobilization Volunteer
The success of the strategy depends on dedicated Community Mobilization Volunteers.
Community Mobilization Volunteers lead local efforts to educate residents and encourage local governments to explore farmland protection initiatives using tools and resources from the Community Mobilization Toolkit. This role is a strong fit for individuals who are excited about leading engagement efforts within their own communities and who excel at leading volunteer teams, educating the local community, mobilizing policy discussions, and supporting education and outreach efforts.
Whether you are a seasoned leader or looking to step into community leadership for the first time, this role is open to anyone eager to make a difference.
Tasks may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Give presentations at local advisory committee meetings, Council meetings, and other applicable events to ask for municipal action on farmland protection.
- Table at local community events to educate community members on farmland loss issues and protection solutions, using resources such as fact sheets provided in the Community Mobilization Toolkit.
- Engage in local advocacy initiatives by providing educational resources and grassroots support.
- Recruit and mobilize groups of volunteers within the community to campaign and educate on farmland protection using strategies such as fact sheets, petitions, letter-writing campaigns, and similar outreach tools.
- Reach out to local politicians and candidates to seek farmland protection and ask for their stances on key agricultural issues.
Depending on a volunteer’s interest and location, there are opportunities for both in-person and virtual work.
Get Involved
If you’re passionate about championing meaningful political action within your community, and you’d like to learn more about how you can get involved, please reach out to Alicia da Silva, Community Mobilization and Engagement Specialist ([email protected]).
Community Mobilization Toolkit
With ongoing guidance, training, coordination, and access to the Community Mobilization Toolkit, Community Mobilization Volunteers become champions of farmland protection in their regions.
What’s included in the Community Mobilization Toolkit?
Volunteer leads will have access to an accessible, adaptable toolkit of resources that can be easily applied in their own communities. Toolkit resources will include, but are not limited to the following:
Quick Fact Sheets
Educational resources that are quick fact sheets to equip community members with information and resources to share within their communities and with local councillors (or candidates).
Petitions
Guidance and support to encourage action by municipalities by empowering community members, groups and organizations to launch petitions, using platforms like change.org, so that these efforts are clearly community-led and locally driven.
Letter Writing Campaign
Customizable letter templates that can be used for community members to organize letter-writing campaigns to municipal councils, MPPs, and MPs. These campaigns will emphasize local concerns around farmland loss while connecting to broader provincial and federal policy needs. OFT will provide training and tips for community members on how to personalize their letters with local context.
Municipal Presentation Templates
A “plug and play”-style presentation template that is accessible to community members to use to deliver to local Councils or other community groups. Content includes:
- Information surrounding the loss of farmland and how it impacts the environment, job economy, as well as the type of crops/farming at risk of being lost
- Highlight the developments/companies impacting farmland loss within Ontario
- Highlight the socio-economic and ecological value of farmland to strengthen the rationale for municipal involvement
Training will be provided by OFT staff on how community members can incorporate local data into their presentation to support the delivery of the presentation to local councils or other community groups, if of interest to the volunteer.
Proposed Municipal Resolution
Drafted content that exemplifies what can advocated for local councils to pass, as mentioned in the municipal presentation.
Policy Briefs
1-3 page policy briefs as resources for community members and volunteers to share with their local elected officials and candidates that cover the themes discussed in the municipal presentations.
Social Media Guidelines
A set of guidelines will be provided to support social media posts by outlining best practices for visuals, language, and strategy; ready-to-use post templates will also be provided.