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February Landowner Workshop wrap-up

Resources for Non-Farming Owners of Farmland in Ontario Banner

Jump to section:
– Why Every Acre of Farmland Matters: Steve Duff, OMAFA
– Understanding Farm Business Registration and Farm Property Tax Programs: Sarah Potts, Agricorp
– Finding a Farmer and Making Good Farmland Agreements: Katie Maitland, Farms at Work
– Farm Insurance 101: Laura Aird and Julie Kellett, Darling Insurance
– Farms at Work Resources for Non-Farming Owners of Farmland: Heather Thoma, Farms at Work
– Understanding Farmland Easement Agreements: Ben Tobias Murray, Ontario Farmland Trust
– Farmland Stewardship Initiatives through the OSCIA: Robin Brown, Ontario Soil and Crop Association
– Local Stewardship Support for Farmland Projects: Pam Lancaster, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority
– Ducks Unlimited Canada Stewardship Programming, Jenn Lavigne, Ducks Unlimited Canada

On February 20, 2026, Farms at Work hosted a Farmland Owner Workshop designed specifically for non-farming owners of farmland across East Central Ontario. This workshop, supported by The Greenbelt Foundation, set out to gather this cohort of farmland owners, that is increasing in numbers in Ontario and across Canada, together to learn, network and launch into new phases of thought surrounding their place in a thriving local food system.

Participants heard from a wide range of speakers covering farmland economics, property tax programs, farm partnerships, insurance, and environmental stewardship. We thank all participants, both in-person and online, for their thoughtful questions and discussion during the event.

Below is an overview of each presentation, links to helpful resources to further guide any non-farming owner of farmland, and a link to download the PDF presentation shared at the event!

If you attended the event, missed it, or are just finding this information now – we always welcome you to reach out and connect with us on any questions or inquiries regarding Resources for New and Non-Farming Owners of Farmland.

Why Every Acre of Farmland Matters

Presenter: Steve Duff
Chief Economist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

Farmland plays a critical role in Ontario’s economy and food security.

Some key takeaways from the presentation:

  • Ontario’s agriculture and food sector contributes $51.4 billion to provincial GDP and supports one in nine jobs.
  • In East Central Ontario alone, more than 6,300 farms generate over $1.26 billion in farm cash receipts.
  • Despite population growth, land actively farmed has declined, meaning every available acre is increasingly important.
  • Over 600,000 acres of previously farmed land in East Central Ontario currently sit idle, representing a major opportunity for landowners and farmers.

The message for landowners was clear: keeping farmland in production benefits the local economy, strengthens food systems, and can generate value for landowners.

Download our full PDF slide deck HERE to view Steve Duff’s Slides.

Understanding Farm Business Registration and Farm Property Tax Programs

Presenter: Sarah Potts
Program Development Specialist, Agricorp

This presentation gave an overview of the Farmland Property Tax Incentives that could be available to non-farming owners of farmland.

Eligibility Criteria for Farmland Tax Incentives include:

  • The land needs to be farmed
  • Must assessed as farmland – check before you buy!
  • Owner must have a Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN) or a farming tenant with an FBRN (or exemption)
  • At least 50% Canadian ownership

In order to access incentives like:

Download our full PDF slide deck HERE to view Sarah Pott’s Slides and check out our Ontario Property Tax Incentive Programs page on the Farms at Work website.

Finding a Farmer and Making Good Farmland Agreements

Presenter: Katie Maitland
Education Manager, Farms at Work

For many landowners, the biggest question is simply:

“How do I find the right farmer for my land?”

Katie introduced FindFarmland.ca, a free platform where landowners can:

  • Post farmland opportunities
  • Share a photo and property details
  • Have land seekers contact them to share their farm plans
  • Explore different types of land access arrangements

The session also highlighted the Farms at Work Making Good Farmland Agreements guide, which helps landowners and farmers work through key questions before entering a lease or partnership.

Included in the Guide are important topics to discuss, including (but not limited to!):

  • Types of farming activities permitted
  • Use of buildings and infrastructure
  • Insurance and liability
  • Financial arrangements
  • Housing and access

Katie shared her experience with renting her own land to Beatrice Chan of All The Difference Farm, showing how clear communication early on builds stronger long-term land partnerships.

Download our full PDF slide deck HERE to view Katie Maitland’s Slides.

Farms Insurance 101

Presenters: Laura Aird and Julie Kellett
Darling Insurance

Why Farm Insurance Matters: Most Claims don’t come from disasters – they come from everyday situations.

Do you have:

  • Acreage
  • Livestock
  • Rent land to 3rd party
  • Sell goods (farm stand, market, agritourism)

Then exploring Farm Insurance would be a good idea for your:

  • Dwelling Barns & Outbuildings
  • Agriculture contents
  • Machinery and equipment: Tractors, Implements, Rented equipment, No ATVs/UTVs
  • Livestock: Cattle, swine, horses, sheep, poultry – Liability, All Risk/Named Perils Coverage, Mortality

Questions To Consider Before Calling Your Insurance Broker

  • What animals do I have now or plan to have?
  • Do I sell anything?
  • Who comes onto my property?
  • What buildings are critical?
  • Is my venture a hobby or income-producing?
  • Is there anything around me that could influence a claim?

Download our full PDF slide deck HERE to view the Farm Insurance 101 Slides.

Farms at Work Resources for Non-Farming Farmland Owners

Presenter: Heather Thoma
Operations Manager, Farms at Work

Heather shared the resources that Farms at Work hosts on our website (the website you’re viewing right now)! Start on the Resources for Farmland Owners Page and explore!

Understanding Farmland Easement Agreements

Presenter: Ben Tobias Murray
Farmland Access and Agricultural Planning Coordinator, Ontario Farmland Trust

Farmland Owners can choose to place an easement on their title to ensure that their land remains farmland in perpetuity. This voluntary action protects the land from future use changes or development, limiting use to agriculture and conservation purposes only without affecting land ownership or farm business practices.

Easements are an effective tool to protect farmland, the farmland owner maintains ownership, and any assessed decrease in market value is compensated for through a charitable tax receipt.

The Ontario Farmland Trust, as well as Farms at Work can also accept donations of farmland. Please connect with us to discuss this option and what legacy this could bring to your farmland.

Download our full PDF slide deck HERE to view the Understanding Farmland Conservation Easement Agreements Presentation.

Farmland Stewardship Initiatives through the OSCIA

Presenter: Robin Brown
Field Representative, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

Robin shared with participants several programs that can connect farmland owners with funding support for on-farm stewardship projects; including:

  • Environmental Farm Plans: (A prerequisite for many funding programs) In-person workshops held throughout the year in many parts of Ontario.
  • Biosecurity workshops to help producers identify and manage health and safety risk.
  • Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands (opening March 10th)- Cost-share funding to help farmers support Species at Risk recovery.
  • Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program – Cost share funding for Resilient Lands and Carbon Sequestration
  • The Ontario On–Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) provides cost-share funding to farmers to implement new best management practices (BMPs) that tackle climate change through reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and supporting increased carbon sequestration.
  • Farmland Health Check–up – A free proactive program to help producers identify risks to soil health and water quality

To stay up to date and receive information on program launches and intake announcements. Go to: www.ontariosoilcrop.org
Under: Cost–share Programs
Select: Subscribe to Our Programs Mailing List

Download our full PDF slide deck HERE to view the full description of these programs, eligibility criteria and accepted project concepts.

Local Stewardship Support for Farmland Projects

Presenter: Pam Lancaster
Conservation Lands Coordinator, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority

Pam introduced the work of the East Central Farm Stewardship Collaborative (ECFSC) — a partnership of conservation authorities and stewardship organizations working together to support farmers and farmland owners across the region.

The collaborative helps landowners plan and fund projects that improve environmental health while maintaining productive farmland.

Learn More about the ECFSC and their current Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program funding availability on their website: https://ecfarmstewardship.org/ or download the full slide deck from the workshop HERE.

Ducks Unlimited Canada Stewardship Programming

Presenter: Jenn Lavigne
Conservation Specialist, Ducks Unlimited Canada

Jenn shared the types of wetlands found in Ontario, how ducks rely on wetlands of variable sizes, and how Wetlands on farmland can help support these species. She also discussed how wetlands and natural areas on farmland provide benefits beyond wildlife habitat, including:

  • Water retention
  • Flood protection
  • Improved water quality
  • Livestock watering
  • Soil health benefits

Ducks Unlimited works with landowners on project design, permitting, and funding support for wetland and conservation projects.

Go to https://www.ducks.ca/ to learn more.

We are deeply grateful to the speakers who joined us for this workshop and generously shared their time, knowledge, and experience. Their willingness to share practical insights and answer questions helped make the day both informative and encouraging for the landowners who joined us.

Many farmland owners are just beginning to learn about the programs, partnerships, and possibilities available to them. If you have questions about your land, are thinking about renting to a farmer, or simply want to understand your options, we encourage you to reach out. The team at Farms at Work is always happy to connect with landowners, share resources, and help you explore ways your farmland can remain productive and part of a thriving agricultural landscape.