Ontario is losing farmland fast: Ontario has lost approximately 319 acres of farmland per day between 2016 and 2021—nearly double the loss rate from five years earlier – Ontario Federation of Agriculture
A shrinking and finite resource: Only about 5% of Ontario’s land area is suitable for agriculture—one of the smallest proportions of any province – Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Food security and food economy at risk: Agriculture supports over 750,000 jobs, contributes billions annually to the economy, and underpins our local and national food system Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Once farmland is lost, it’s gone forever: Urbanization and low-density development permanently remove farmland from production and fragment the agricultural landscape. www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems
The short story: Not only is Ontario losing farmland at a rapid rate, but soaring land values have made it prohibitive for new farmers to learn and practice their trade on land that they own.
A University of Guelph article exploring how Ontario communities are working to protect farmland while facing increasing development pressure.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture outlines the urgent need for better land use planning to protect farmland across the province.
A peer-reviewed article examining the national picture of farmland loss and proposing practical strategies for long-term agricultural sustainability.
