Farmland Protection

Ontario’s farmland is a finite and non-renewable resource that we cannot afford to lose.

Farmland provides us with food, fuel, fibre, flowers, and more, and every Ontarian relies on it in one way or another. Even so, we lose thousands acres of farmland every week to non-agricultural development including urban sprawl and aggregate extraction. This rate of loss is unsustainable and will impact future generations.

Protecting farmland is crucial because without farmland, farming is not possible.

Ontario’s farmland has been sorted into classes that show how capable it is of supporting agriculture. The surveys that created this classification system provide valuable data about the land, however they don’t tell the whole story. While soils that fall into higher-ranked classes are typically better at producing traditional row crops (corn, soybeans, wheat) and horticulture, the soils that fall into lower-ranked classes are still a highly valuable agricultural resource capable of supporting a large variety of agricultural activities, such as tender fruit and livestock production. All of our agricultural land is worthy of protection.

Beyond the Soil Class – The Value of All of Ontario’s Farmland – November 2021

More than an Agricultural Resource

In addition to producing food, fuel, fibre, and flowers, farmlands can also provide a range of ecosystem services that benefit the surrounding landscape like water filtration, flood mitigation, and wildlife habitat!

Farmers are stewards of the land, and they work hard to protect our valuable resources while producing fresh food for Ontarians. The potential to sequester carbon in our farmlands is huge, and could make a big difference for the future. The more farmland that is permanently protected, the more farmland we can put to work for the environment.

Interested in protecting your farm with OFT? 

Complete our Landowner Inquiry Form.

Ontario’s Agricultural Sector is Diverse

Did you know that over 200 agricultural commodities are produced right here in Ontario? 

Ontario farmers produce over 200 commodities on a commercial scale

Diversity within the agricultural sector ensures that the sector remains resilient and strong for both the consumers and the more than 837,000 Ontarians it employs.

Different crops thrive in different soils and microclimates

A soil that may not produce high yields of one crop may just have the characteristics a different crop needs to flourish! All of Ontario’s farmland is valuable and capable of producing food for future generations of Ontarians.

Ontario’s agricultural land is as diverse as the range of crops it produces

Having the farmland on which a wide variety of crops can be produced is key to protecting the resilience of our agricultural sector.

We Need Stronger Protections

We need strong, long-lasting protections for all of Ontario’s farmland.

Ontario’s farmland is a non-renewable resource, the loss of which will impact future generations greatly. Maintaining a contiguous land base will help ensure the strength of our agricultural sector and protect our diverse array of agricultural soils, so that we are always able to produce a range of agricultural products. Soils that fall into lower-ranked classes are still valuable resources.

Farmland Easement Agreements

Farmers and farmland owners can partner with the Ontario Farmland Trust to establish easement agreements while maintaining full ownership of their property.

Donations of Farmland

Donating your farm to the Ontario Farmland Trust is a viable option for farmland owners who want to ensure farming of agricultural lands into the future.

Farmland Policy

We work with the Province and key partners to encourage greater protection for agriculture and farmland through planning and policy development.