Ontario Farmland Trust

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Guelph, ON
Ontario Farmland Trust

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Protecting Farmland Forever We work with individual landowners to permanently protect their farm properties, so that they may remain farmland forever.
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We also regularly engage with public policy discussions, and conduct outreach and education to raise awareness about farmland loss in Ontario.

10/16/2026

We need elected leaders who will interpret provincial planning policies in ways that protect farmland while continuing to support the local economy and encourage smart, responsible development.

The municipal election cycle offers a unique opportunity to ask Council candidates pointed questions on farmland protection and identify local champions for agricultural issues. Here is a non-exhaustive list of questions you can ask your candidates!

Looking for more farmland protection resources ahead of the election? OFT’s Community Mobilization Toolkit was developed to support community members to engage in farmland protection conversations in their local regions. Reach out to Alicia at [email protected] to learn more about what resources we have available for you.

To learn more about our Community Mobilization Strategy: https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/community-mobilization-strategy/

10/12/2026

Our next FREE webinar, Food Security and the Agri-Food System, is happening on Friday, October 30th from 12 pm to 1 pm.

This session will explore why protecting farmland is essential to a thriving agri-food sector, focusing on how the Greenbelt supports agricultural productivity, economic growth, and food security.

Tom Nudds, Professor Emeritus at the University of Guelph, will share his grassroots initiative to encourage the Township of Centre Wellington to address farmland loss, support local food production, and advance farmland preservation through its 2027–2030 Strategic Plan.

Al Mussell, Senior Research Fellow at the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI), will explore Ontario’s agri-food system, the role of Greenbelt policies, and how farmland loss could affect local economies, food access, exports, and the province’s agricultural future.

To register, visit: https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/2026/09/29/october-30-webinar-food-security-and-the-agri-food-system/

10/08/2026

Join the Ontario Farmland Trust and Active Living 55+ for a special afternoon at Bourgeois Farm for a Farm-Fresh Garden Party!

Enjoy a guided farm tour, learn about the important work of the Ontario Farmland Trust, and take part in a garlic planting demonstration. We’ll wrap up the afternoon with a simple farm-fresh tasting featuring seasonal produce from the garden.

Come enjoy good company, fresh food, and a beautiful afternoon on the farm!

📅 Wednesday, October 14
⏱️ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Bourgeois Farm; 2 Alma St, Tiverton

10/07/2026

This Ontario Agriculture Week, we’re pleased to share that the Future Vision for the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve report is now available!

The report brings together research, policy review, mapping, community engagement, farmer and agricultural stakeholder input, resident outreach, survey feedback, workshop discussion, and landowner correspondence to identify a practical vision for the long-term agricultural future of the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (DRAP).

At the heart of the report is a simple but important finding: for the DRAP to remain a strong and viable agricultural area over the long term, the land must continue to be actively farmed, economically viable, well stewarded, publicly understood, and supported by the practical conditions farmers need to succeed.

During Ontario Agriculture Week, we’re reflecting on the people who make agriculture possible and the importance of creating the conditions for farmers and farmland to thrive for generations to come.

We’re grateful to everyone who shared their time, knowledge, and perspectives throughout this project.

To read the report, visit: ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/drapvision

To read the report, visit: ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/drapvision

09/27/2026

It’s time farmland is treated as a critical part of Canada's infrastructure.

The municipal election cycle offers a unique opportunity to ask Council candidates questions on farmland protection and identify local champions for agricultural issues. Municipal Councils ultimately make decisions on development applications that directly impact farmland. Therefore, ensuring candidates have a strong understanding of the rural community and how policy decisions affect farmland supply is critical.

Not sure how to engage with Council Candidates? OFT’s Community Mobilization Toolkit was developed to support community members to engage in farmland protection conversations in their local regions. Reach out to Alicia at [email protected] to learn more about what resources we have available for you.

Read the full article by OFT's Executive Director, Martin Straathof here: https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/2026/09/27/a-strong-canada-needs-a-strong-agricultural-foundation/

Learn more about our Community Mobilization Strategy here: ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/community-mobilization-strategy/

09/25/2026

We’re still accepting Expression of Interests (EOI), a pre-qualification step for farmers interested in accessing farmland at the Bourgeois Farm for the 2027 production year!

The form outlines prospective Farmland Access Program participants’ farming operations and land access needs. If you or someone you know is seeking affordable and secure farmland access in Bruce County, we encourage you to complete an EOI.

To learn more about the farm and complete the EOI, visit: https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/farmland-access-opportunities/bourgeois-farm/

09/24/2026

Join the Ontario Farmland Trust this fall for our Butternut and Native Tree Planting Event at Bourgeois Farm in Tiverton!

Together, we’ll help restore and care for the natural areas of the farm by planting native trees and other woody species, spreading native plant seeds, and supporting the regeneration of Butternut, a species at risk in Ontario.

No prior experience is required. Everyone is welcome, whether you'd like to participate in planting or simply want to join to learn!

Date: Saturday, October 17th, 2026
Location: Bourgeois Farm; 2 Alma St., Tiverton, ON
Time: 9:30 AM - 12:45 PM

To register, visit: https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/2026/09/23/planting-for-the-future-butternut-native-tree-day-oct-17/

09/21/2026

Our webinar series is back!

This year's webinars are part of OFT's Community Mobilization Strategy, an initiative that equips community members in Greenbelt and Greenbelt-adjacent communities to effectively highlight farmland loss in their municipalities and champion stronger farmland protection policies through support, resources, and tools developed by OFT.

Our first FREE webinar is happening on Monday, October 5th from 12 pm - 1 pm.

Speakers Sara Epp, Associate Professor for the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development at the University of Guelph, and Bridget Ryan, Councillor for the Town of Erin, will explore how municipal planning decisions can impact farmland, what tools and opportunities are available to advocate for its protection, and how community members can play a role in shaping local decisions.

To register, visit: https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/2026/09/21/october-5th-webinar-farmland-protection-and-policy-an-introduction/

09/15/2026

We’re currently accepting Expression of Interests (EOI), a pre-qualification step for farmers interested in accessing farmland at the Bourgeois Farm for the 2027 production year.

The form outlines prospective Farmland Access Program participants’ farming operations and land access needs. Bourgeois Farm.

With 14 farmable acres available for our Farmland Access Program participants, the farm also features:

🚜 Long-term lease opportunities
🏡 On-farm residence
🐔 Infrastructure capable of supporting a variety of farm business models (eg. Barn, chicken coop, grain bin, and more!)

To learn more about the farm and complete the EOI, visit: https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/farmland-access-opportunities/bourgeois-farm/

09/03/2026

The Community Garden Plots have been in full swing this summer! Plot holders at the Bourgeois Farm have been growing a variety of produce for their own enjoyment, while also giving back to the community by donating a portion of their harvest to local food security organizations throughout the Tiverton and Kincardine region.

OFT staff recently harvested 165 garlic plants from the plots, which were planted alongside volunteers last October and will be donated to local food security organizations.

None of this would be possible without the gift of farmland. The donation of Bourgeois Farm to OFT has allowed us to protect this land permanently, while creating opportunities for community gardens, affordable farmland access, community events, public education, and demonstration and research projects.

It’s a powerful example of how donating farmland can create benefits that extend far beyond the farm itself and continue to grow for generations to come. 💚

Address

C/o University Of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East
Guelph, ON
N1G2W1

Telephone

+15197813276

Website

http://www.ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/

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