Farmland protection: Opportunities for Collaboration Pat Learmonth Director
2015: Ontario is a net importer of food More than half of Ontario s $20 billion in imported food products could be produced in the province If local production were expanded to replace even ten percent of the top ten fruit and vegetable imports, the Ontario economy would gain close to quarter of a billion dollars in Gross Domestic Product and 3,400 full-time jobs. When more food is produced locally, energy use and pollution from transportation are reduced
Challenges 1. Declining numbers of farmers
Retiring Farmers in Ontario Under 35 2006 2011 2021* 2031* 25 year Change 7070 6130 6130 6130 35-54 40280 31830 22045 17153-57% Over 55 35065 36885 34358 28201-20% Total 82315 74845 62533 51484-37% 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; no succession to in-family employees
Challenges 1. Declining numbers of farmers 2. Less farmland in production
Challenges 1. Declining numbers of farmers 2. Less farmland in production 3. More people to feed
More people 19% 50%
New York state study, 2007.18 ha or.44 ac per person for non-meat diet.86 ha or 2.2 ac 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
Can we feed Ontario? 19% 50% 9.6 million acres supports: 4.4 million meat eaters OR 22 million non-meat eaters
Challenges 1. Declining numbers of farmers 2. Less farmland in production 3. More people to feed 4. Costly farmland
Good news.bad news Source: FCC 2014 Farmland Values Report
Challenges 1. Declining numbers of farmers 2. More people to feed 3. Less farmland in production 4. Costly farmland 5. Food prices
Climate change will remain one of the most significant, unpredictable influences on food prices Volatility of the dollar also cited
Challenges 1. Declining numbers of farmers 2. More people to feed 3. Less farmland in production 4. Costly farmland 5. Food prices
Opportunities for Collaboration
1. Other farmland owners For whom farmland protection is not the main priority: Conservation Authorities Land Trusts about 20,000 ac 2015 survey
1. Other farmland owners Municipalities Provincial MNR, Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Federal Rouge NU Park, NCC First Nations Investors Community organizations, schools at least 50,000 acres identified
2. Organizations with aligned goals Farm organizations New farmer training programs Economic Development Food security organizations Farm stewardship organizations
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
Areas for collaboration 3. Execution of elements of Management Plans Identifying tenants Negotiating rental agreements Carrying out stewardship projects Monitoring compliance
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 Farm the land
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
McVean Farm Land leased from Toronto Region Conservation Authority by FarmStart Provides access for growers in Brampton
The Mount, Peterborough 10 acre site
Clearwater Farm project Land owned by a township of Georgina Leased for 20 years to the Ontario Water Centre Flagship project will include demonstration and training on high-intensity SPIN farming for suburban growers
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