Future Vision for the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (DRAP)

The Ontario Farmland Trust, with support from the Greenbelt Foundation, is leading a community-driven study exploring the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (DRAP). This initiative will provide a framework for the DRAP, Ontario’s only agricultural preserve, to help it reach its full potential as a cornerstone of the region’s food system, while strengthening efforts to protect and sustain farmland.

Located adjacent to the Rouge National Urban Park and encompassing some of Ontario’s most valuable farmland, DRAP is home to 4,700 acres of Class 1 agricultural lands and lush natural areas. The preserve plays a critical role in supporting a vibrant agri-food sector in Durham Region, contributing $354 million to Ontario’s total farm production. It is one part of the Greenbelt, a working landscape that contains only 6.1% of Ontario’s farmland but supports 9.6% of all farms in the province.

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 provide 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.

Map of the DRAP in relation to Rouge National Urban Park.
*Photo credit: Wildlands League.*

**Key outcomes from the Future Vision for the DRAP Project:**

A comprehensive agricultural profile for the DRAP

Identify what crops are grown in the preserve
Conduct comprehensive soil analyses on local farms and identify any gaps in soil health.
Examine the preserve’s effectiveness in protecting and promoting agriculture within Durham Region.

A comprehensive community profile of the DRAP

Examine the state of public awareness of the DRAP
Determine how the DRAP fulfills the needs of surrounding communities
Increase public awareness of sustainable agricultural practices to foster a culture of stewardship for the DRAP

A dynamic, evidence-based report

Provide evidence-based policy recommendations for public officials to inform their decisions for the DRAP.

How Can I Participate?

Participation is easy and encouraged! There are 4 simple ways to get involved.

Sign up for our e-newsletter, where you can read about the DRAP, and receive the latest updates on the project, including our workshop dates and survey release.
Complete our survey! The survey is intended to collect data assessing how the DRAP is fulfilling the needs of the community (agriculture or otherwise). Your answers will help support the future of the DRAP, and lessons learned will be used to help create future additional agricultural preserves across the province. Your input will also allow us to further examine if the preserve is well-positioned to support the Durham Agriculture Strategy.
Attend any of our upcoming workshops related to the Future Vision for the DRAP project. During each workshop, we’ll facilitate in-depth activities to better understand the challenges and opportunities for long-term sustainable management of the DRAP. At this time, workshops are under development.
Email [email protected] with your thoughts, concerns, and questions related to the project. The more input we have from community members, the better we can refine our project outcomes!