The Stevens property, also known as Wilmot Orchards, grows 11 different types of blueberries along with a variety of apples on entirely Class 1 soil. This sixth-generation farm began in 1976 and has since transformed from a dairy farm into a staple for community members to gather, pick their blueberries, and enjoy the farm’s cafe. Every summer, the farm draws in 20,000 to 30,000 visitors to bask in its abundance.
The farm is located an hour west of Toronto in Newcastle, with Highway 401 and Lake Ontario not too far away, unfortunately making it an ideal location for urban sprawl. The Stevens family was one of many farmland owners in the region approached by developers offering hefty checks to take their land out of agricultural production and into non-agricultural development. However, they never planned on budging.
The family’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and the future of Ontarians’ access to local food is rooted in their decision to place a farmland conservation easement on the title of their property. To date, OFT has helped the family to protect nearly 29 acres of their 164 acres, with plans to protect the remainder of the farm in the near future.
Now, with Charles Stevens’ daughter, Courtney, as CEO and landowner of Wilmot Orchards, they plan to continue their family’s legacy by honoring the indispensable value of their rich, fertile farmland by safeguarding the land from development. As the first farmland owners in Durham Region to protect their farm in perpetuity, they hope to inspire other farmers in the region and beyond to ensure that their farm stays in agricultural production for generations to come.
We know how good the soil is, and this was the way we could see to best protect it. Our primary motivation is that farming on this great land will continue. It’s not just about a family legacy. It’s more than that.
Courtney Stevens, CEO of WIlmot Orchards
