Erin councillors concerned by loss of farmland

ERIN – Council is concerned about the loss local and provincial farmland.

“According to the 2021 Agricultural census, the Town of Erin saw farmland decrease from about 36,000 acres in 2011 to just over 16,000 acres in 2021,” said Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) executive director Martin Straathof during a March 26 presentation to council.

“That’s a 55 per cent reduction in just 10 years.”

According to Straathof, the province is losing 319 acres of farmland daily, a figure that seemed to startle council.

Councillor Bridget Ryan asked how municipalities can slow the rate of farmland loss. Straathof suggested “growing up” instead of “growing out.” 

“Good agricultural planning requires good urban planning,” he said. “Making sure that you are meeting higher-density targets in order to create both complete communities, which reduces urban sprawl pressure in the agricultural areas.

“Municipalities really are on the front line when it comes to the decisions being made and impacting the agricultural sector.” 

Straathof also noted, “Land speculation has a major part to play in what we are seeing as rising farmland prices across the province.

“It’s becoming increasingly difficult for farmers to afford and therefore sustain their farm businesses. There are a number of pressures ... driving this that municipalities have to contend with. 

“There’s the pressure of population growth and housing demand, increased land speculation, knowledge gaps in understanding agricultural systems in land use planning, policy changes that reduce oversight and requirements for things such as density targets, and there’s been an aging farming population.”

Straathof suggested municipalities consider leasing municipally-owned rural land to farmers as a means to enable new farmers to establish businesses and expand.

Councillor Cathy Aylard asked, “The number of acres lost, is that both secondary and primary ag?” 

Straathof replied, “That includes everything from our prime agriculture lands, our rural lands, lands that are owned by farmers or under forest management plans. This is anything in which the farmers are actively managing or controlling or a part of their farm business.”

Mayor Michael Dehn said he is “shocked” by the amount of farmland lost between 2011 and 2021, noting, “There’s 20,000 acres of less farming in Erin, in that short of period.”

Council received the presentation for information.