Measuring Farmland Loss in Ontario: Quantifying Change to Plan for the Future

Rural Ontario is in a constant state of change, as economic, environmental and political pressures impact the viability and resilience of many rural communities. Agricultural areas, in particular, are often negatively impacted by such changes, as this land may be more valuable for development purposes. Recognizing this the provincial government created the Greenbelt Act. Meanwhile farmland continues to be lost to non-farm uses. This presentation will explore a new methodology to quantify this loss. Seven case studies will be presented, highlighting the amount of farmland converted to other land uses both before and after Greenbelt Act (2005) came into force. 

 

Learning Objectives:

• Gaining knowledge about a new method for measuring change and the pace of change in the availability of farm land.

• Understanding the risks associated with the loss of farmland within the Greenbelt.