Supporting Local Food & Farming on Conservation Lands. Latornell Conservation Symposium

Transcription

1 Supporting Local Food & Farming on Conservation Lands Latornell Conservation Symposium November 16, 2016

2 Ontario Farmland Trust OFT is the only registered charity in Ontario with a province wide mandate and mission that is strategically focused to promote and protect Ontario farmlands

3 Discussion Today Challenges facing Ontario agriculture: why we should care about the future of food and farming Opportunities for collaboration: how we can work together to support agricultural activities on protected conservation lands

4 Challenges 1. Declining numbers of farmers

5 Retiring Farmers in Ontario Age * 2031* 25 Year Change Under % Over % Total % Source: Statistics Canada 2006 and 2011 * 2021 and 2031 are derived, based on assumptions that farmers begin to farm at age 25, retire at age 75, and are evenly distributed within age groups

6 Challenges 1. Declining numbers of farmers 2. Declining farmland in production

7 Less Farmland in Production -2,800,000

8 Agricultural Lands in Ontario Ontario farmland is a limited and strategic resource. We must do more to protect Farmland Forever.

9 Challenges 1. Declining numbers of farmers 2. Declining farmland in production 3. Rising price of farmland

10 Costly Farmland Source: Farm Credit Canada

11 Challenges 1. Declining numbers of farmers 2. Declining farmland in production 3. Rising price of farmland 4. More people to feed

12 Land Requirements 0.44 acre per person for non meat diet 2.2 acre per person for diet with meat Source: Peters, Christian J., Jennifer L. Wilkins and Gary W. Fick, 2007: Testing a complete diet model for estimating the land resource requirements of food consumption and agricultural carrying capacity

13 Can we Feed Ontario? Ontario Ministry of Finance Population Projections to % 50% 9.6 million acres dependable farmland in Ontario supports: 4.4 million meat eaters, OR 22 million non meat eaters

14 Challenges 1. Declining numbers of farmers 2. Declining farmland in production 3. Rising price of farmland 4. More people to feed 5. Unpredictable food prices

15 Food Prices Food Price Report 2016: Climate change will remain one of the most significant, unpredictable influences on food prices Volatility of the dollar also cited

16 Opportunities for Collaboration

17 Farmland Ownership 2015 Survey on Farmland Acquisition & Management by Ontario Conservation Organizations found that: Conservation Authorities (31) Land Trusts (15) Have protected 20,000 acres of farmland

18 Farmland Ownership Other farmland owners: Municipalities Provincial MNRF, Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Federal Rouge National Urban Park, National Capital Commission First Nations 50,000 acres identified and counting

19 Management of Farmlands Only 43% of CAs and land trusts that own farmland have plans to keep the land in farming 56% are interested in collaborating and receiving more support to manage farmlands

20 Organizations with Aligned Goals Conservation landowners could collaborate with: Farm organizations New farmer training programs Economic development Food security organizations Farm stewardship organizations

21 Areas for Collaboration 1. Early stage planning for farmland properties Inventory of assets Establishing property specific goals, uses and resources 2. Development of Management Plans Detailed planning of projects, responsibilities

22 Areas for Collaboration 3. Execution of elements of Management Plans Identifying farm tenants Negotiating rental agreements Carrying out stewardship projects Monitoring compliance

23 Management Options Rent the lands to a neighbouring farmer Rent as a home farm to a beginning farmer Rent to an organization that manages rentals to farmers Rent to an organization that executes a vision (eg. independent agri educational programming, or owner s farm stewardship/management plan) Farm the land

24 Just Food Ottawa NCC land leased by Just Food Established 2013 to support new farmers in Ottawa region Offers access to tile drained land, shared infrastructure, equipment and training Access for up to three years on site

25 FarmStart/TRCA McVean Farm Land leased from Toronto Region Conservation Authority by FarmStart Provides access to farmland for small scale market gardeners in Brampton; supports urban agriculture

26 Cuyahoga Valley Conservancy Supports Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio Third party that helps with rehabilitation of derelict farms and heritage farmsteads in the park (11+) Provides agricultural expertise to the park and farmers Farm opportunities promoted; farm tenants vetted

27 New Publication To spark more dialogue about collaborative opportunities and provide a framework for discussion

28 Farmland Forever Matt Setzkorn Manager, Land Programs & Policy (519) ext