By Paul Maurice, Executive Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Last week, leaders from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) joined more than 2,000 elected officials and staff at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) annual conference in Ottawa.

Although it’s likely an event most Ontarians have never heard of, it’s one of the most important political gatherings in our province, bringing together municipal leaders from across Ontario alongside provincial cabinet ministers, MPPs, and government officials.

I attended in my capacity as a farmer and executive member of the OFA’s provincial board, where I represent farmers from Peel, Simcoe and York. My wife and I, along with our son Alex, raise broiler chickens and grow corn, soybeans, cereal grains and hay in Lafontaine just west of Penetanguishene – but in the past, I’ve also served as Deputy Mayor of our local municipality.

For Ontario’s farmers, this event is more than just another conference. According to AMO’s own statistics, municipalities across the province together own, operate, and maintain nearly half a trillion dollars’ worth of infrastructure — roads, bridges, transit, water, waste management systems and more.

Local governments are also responsible for decisions that directly affect how we live and work, from taxation and building permits to land use planning and economic development initiatives. Having agriculture at the table ensures that farm families and rural communities are part of those conversations.

This is important because collectively, agriculture and food contribute more than $50 billion to our provincial economy every year and support over 871,000 jobs. Put in another way, we employ 11% of Ontario’s workforce.

For the last number of years, members of the OFA board and staff have been attending the AMO conference because it’s a unique opportunity to engage directly with the decision makers who shape our rural landscape.

Our discussions focus on the issues that matter most to Ontario farmers: protecting farmland through sound land use planning, ensuring investment in rural physical and social infrastructure, and supporting the economic vitality of rural Ontario. A strong rural economy supports a strong provincial economy.

This year, the severe drought impacting much of the province was a top-of-mind discussion. Farmers are feeling the effects on their crops and livestock, and it underscored the need for municipal and provincial leaders alike to understand the importance of resilient infrastructure and responsive support systems in rural areas.

Municipalities play a vital role in supporting this sector by fostering business-friendly environments, protecting farmland, and investing in rural infrastructure and services that allow farm businesses and food processors to thrive.

The provincial government also has a role to play, from ensuring adequate funding for municipalities through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund to providing legislative and policy frameworks that support rural economic development and the agri-food sector.

OFA supports smart growth strategies that meet housing and industrial needs while also strengthening our economy, creating jobs, supporting local infrastructure, protecting the environment, and safeguarding Ontario’s food supply. This includes the creation of an “Ontario Foodbelt,” a concept put forward in Bill 21, the Protect our Food Act, 2025.

We also support the Agricultural System approach, which is now required across the province under the 2024 Provincial Planning Statement. This helps municipalities plan for farming and food as a system — not just individual farms or parcels of land.

To make it work, municipalities should:

• Develop strategies to grow their local agri-food sector
• Support businesses that serve and supply farmers
• Invest in agricultural infrastructure needs
• Promote local food initiatives in their communities

OFA is committed to working collaboratively with municipal and provincial leaders to build a thriving, inclusive, and resilient rural Ontario. Together, we can ensure that agriculture remains a pillar of economic prosperity and that rural communities continue to grow, contribute, and flourish.

The conversations at AMO are not just about policy — they are about building relationships. To me, the agriculture sector must continue to tell our story, explain the realities of farming, and work collaboratively to ensure that municipalities see agriculture not just as a land use, but as an economic powerhouse and community cornerstone.

For more information, contact:
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
comms@ofa.on.ca