No Soils, No Land, No Food!
Farmers and concerned citizens across Ontario are rallying to safeguard our precious farmland. Every day, we lose approximately 319 acres of vital agricultural land to development and other non-agricultural uses — land that constitutes some of the most productive soil in the country. This unsustainable trend jeopardizes Ontario's food security - without immediate public action, these losses will only escalate, compromising our ability to provide healthy, local food for future generations. It’s time to unite and demand the preservation of our farmland and food systems.
The NFU-O acknowledges that all threatened farmland in the province is unceded land dispossessed from Indigenous peoples. We support rematriation efforts to assert Indigenous sovereignty and achieve land justice.
Credit: The City Time Lapse
Keep Farmland for Farming
JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO PROTECT ONTARIO'S FARMLAND AND ENSURE A SUSTAINABLE FOOD FUTURE
- Explore our interactive map to learn more and take action against farmland loss today.
- Reach out about farmland threats in in your region so they can be added to the map. Scroll down to fill out the form!
Know of a Threat to Farmland Near You?
Fill out this form with the details and help Keep Farmland for Farming!
Know of a Threat to Farmland Near You?
Fill out this form with the details and help Keep Farmland for Farming!
Learn More About Threats to Ontario Farmland
The Rocky Road to Protecting Prime Soils in Stone Mills
Back in 2006, after a partial and incomplete survey of local farmers, Stone Mills Township rezoned the bulk of its agricultural lands (including prime farmland with class 1 to 3 soils) as “rural,” paving the way for development by skirting the Provincial Policy Statements’ protections on prime farmland. The loss of prime farmland protections came…
Say NO to Flato Development Inc.’s Farmland Grab Scheme in Kawartha
In 2021, Flato Developments Inc. began lobbying the Kawartha city council to rezone 156 hectares of farmland in Cameron from “agricultural” and “rural” to “tourist commercial.” Flato aims to build a private resort with 423 seasonal homes, a private water filtration plant, sewage treatment facilities, and a golf course. “Kawartha Bay” resort is set to…
Fields not Fences: Stop the Proposed Prison on Kemptville Farmland
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to transfer the former Kemptville College farm property to the Ministry of the Solicitor general for a new “Eastern Ontario Correctional Complex.” The 182-acre Kemptville College Farm property includes productive prime agricultural land with class 2 and 3 soils. This land has a century-long history of…
Land Over Landings: A 52-Year Fight to Save Pickering Farmland
In 1972, 18,600 acres of mostly Class 1 farmland in north Pickering were expropriated by the Federal Government for an airport that wasn’t built. They were, and still are, some of our province’s most productive farmlands, essential to food security in a region of rapid development and population growth. They also contribute to invaluable biodiversity…
Ontario’s Greenbelt Tentatively Holds Strong
In November of 2022, Ontario’s Ford Government passed Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act. It threatened to remove 7,400 acres of highly productive Greenbelt farmland and natural areas to develop housing. This struck a nerve with Ontarians. The popular Greenbelt Act was passed in 2005, permanently protecting 2 million acres of productive farmland…
Saving Ed Lake: The Cost of Aggregate Extraction
Since 2018, CBM Aggregates, a division of St Marys Cement Inc. (Canada), has been investigating Ed Lake Farm in Aberfoyle as a potential gravel pit location. They have recently submitted an application for a new Class “A” license (Pit Below Water) under the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) on this land. Ed Lake is a 200…
Fertile Grounds at Risk: Wilmot Township’s Farmland Under Attack
In March of 2024, Wilmot Township, the Region of Waterloo, and the provincial government (through the provincial agency, the Ontario Realty Corporation) contracted a US-based company to threaten farmers and landowners with expropriation should they refuse to sell their land for industrial development. This proposed development will have detrimental impacts to the region’s agricultural, economic,…
Want to Contribute to Farmland Preservation for Future Generations?
Consider contributing to the The World We Want Campaign
We know that when we work together we can make change to create the world we want. The National Farmers Foundation and the NFU are embarking on a new shared initiative to do just that. We are asking for your support to help us build regional capacity for community organizing and engagement to support farmer-centered, agroecological farm and food systems that advance food sovereignty and rural development. Every gift we receive helps to strengthen the voice of farmers across the country by supporting policy research and communication, education, and advocacy, with a focus on local and regional issues. In Ontario, your donation will help support our Farmland Preservation project.
If you are in the position to make a donation, please consider helping to sustain our work at this crucial time.
