Supporting Farm Viability Through

the Agricultural System Approach

Municipal Agricultural Economic Development Forum

Helma Geerts, MSc, MCIP, RPP, AALP

November 3, 2016

Supportive Rural

Communities Infrastructure

Jobs Productive Capacity

of the Land

Thriving agri-

food sector

Food Planning Econ Dev’t

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Overview

Share proposed approach to dovetailing economic development

and land use planning for agriculture

– Land Use Planning Context / Coordinated Plan Review

– Agricultural System

• Definition and approach to identifying the agricultural land base

and agricultural support network

• Collaborative approach

• Proposed outcomes

– Milestones and Timelines

Coordinated Plan Review Area (Greater Golden Horsehoe)

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GGH Growth

• Comprises 3.5%

of Ontario’s land

base; supports

70% of its

population

• One of North

America’s fastest

growing regions:

50% increase in

population and

40% employment

expected to 2041

• 70% of Ontario’s

GDP

• 21 upper and

single tier

municipalities; 89

lower tiers

GGH Agriculture

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• Approximately 44% of the GGH is still in agriculture

• Produces over 200 different commodities; most diverse area in Canada

• Includes Canada’s most significant tender fruit production area (Niagara)

• Between 2006 and 2011, the GGH lost 4.4 per cent of its farmland area – just over 160,000 acres (65,000

hectares) – an area larger than the City of Toronto.

• GGH area supports 7o% of Ontario food processing jobs

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Agricultural System Responds to Stakeholders

• The CPR Advisory Panel (Crombie) recommended an Agricultural System

approach to more consistently protect the agricultural land base while

strengthening agri-food viability.

• Stakeholders have encouraged an Agricultural System approach to

promote agri-food economic development and advance the GGH agri-food

sector as a leading contributor to provincial economic growth and jobs.

• The following definition is incorporated in the proposed plan amendments:

Definition: An Agricultural System is a group of inter-connected elements that

together create a viable, thriving agricultural sector. It has two components:

1. Agricultural Land Base comprised of prime agricultural areas including

specialty crop areas, and rural lands that together create a continuous

productive land base for agriculture, and

2. Agricultural Support Network, which includes infrastructure, services, and

agri-food assets important to the viability of the sector.

Process for Mapping the Agricultural Land Base

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• Complete Land Evaluation and Area Review (LEAR) study to identify high quality agricultural areas for protection (Fall 2016). Step 1

• Prepare draft map of the agricultural land base for public consultation, based on LEAR results and other factors (Winter 2017). Step 2

• Collaborate with municipalities to adjust mapping, based on consistent criteria (Spring 2017). Step 3

• Finalize provincial mapping (Summer 2017). Step 4

• Support municipal implementation and refinements (2018-2021). Step 5

Confidential 7

Agricultural Land Base

OMAFRA is mapping the Agricultural Land Base across the 4-Plan

area, in collaboration with municipalities and other stakeholders.

The goal is continuous and consistent protection of the agricultural

land base, with the Natural Heritage System as an overlay.

Agricultural Support Network

Info on the Agricultural Support

Network will be used to maintain /

enhance the Agricultural System,

e.g.:

• Economic development initiatives

e.g. strategies/plans, investment

decisions, cluster development,

BR&E

• Local food initiatives

• Ag-focused staff/committees

• Education and awareness

• When planning for infrastructure

and growth, AIAs identify how to

avoid, minimize and mitigate

impacts on the Agricultural System

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The Agricultural Support

Network comprises the assets

and infrastructure the sector

needs to be successful e.g.:

• infrastructure (e.g. roads, ports)

• on-farm buildings and

structures (e.g. grain dryers,

cold storage facilities)

• agricultural services (e.g. feed

mills, veterinarians,

dealerships)

• farm markets and distributors

• first-level processors (e.g.

wineries, meat plants, factories)

• vibrant, agriculture-supportive

communities

See Synthesis,

2016 See GHFFA

Asset Mapping

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Proposed Outcomes

• Consistent identification of Agricultural Systems across the GGH

reflecting the area’s economically integrated, functional agri-food

system

• Alignment of policy and terminology (e.g. definitions)

• Develop an Agricultural System and Natural Heritage System for the

GGH that reinforces the synergies between the two systems

• Collaboration between government, farmers and businesses with a

common interest in a strong agri-food sector and rural economy

• Improved viability of agriculture and certainty for farmers

• Enable integrated planning that allows for protection of resources,

management of growth, planning for infrastructure and creation of

complete communities

Phased, Collaborative Approach

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Agricu

ltu

ral S

yste

m

1) Develop Agricultural System Approach and Draft Policies

(Winter-mid 2016)

2) Map the Agricultural System and prepare implementation guidelines

(Mid 2016-mid 2017)

3) Final Guidelines and Map (summer 2017)

Municipal Conformity and Refinement

(2018-2021)

Phase Engagement

CPR consultations, discussions with

key stakeholders, survey of LEAR

users, establish technical sounding

board

EBR Posting; consultation on draft

map and guidelines, collaboration

with stakeholders

OMAFRA Planners and Econ.

Development Advisors support

municipal refinement and conformity

Other Proposed Agriculturally-Supportive Policies

• Strengthened growth management for longer term protection and

greater certainty for farmers

– Density and intensification targets, strict criteria for settlement area

expansions

• Agricultural Impact Assessment requirements to reduce conflicts

between agriculture and other uses; development must avoid,

minimize and mitigate impacts on farms and agri-food assets

• Balancing natural heritage and agriculture

– Improved clarity and flexibility for agriculture in proximity to the

natural heritage system

• Harmonizing policies on permitted uses to allow prime agricultural

areas to prosper and enable diversification of the rural economy and

tax base

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Thoughts? Suggestions?

Helma Geerts

OMAFRA

helma.geerts@ontario.ca

1-519-826-6377

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