Ontario’s agricultural sector is foundational to the province’s economy, feeding communities and driving growth at home and abroad. Yet, the farmland that sustains this vital sector is undervalued and increasingly at risk. With only 5% of Ontario’s land mass suitable for farming, pressures from non-agricultural development are threatening not just our food systems but the future of farming and local food itself.

Too often, the voices of farmers go unheard, and the essential role of agriculture in land-use planning and economic development is underestimated. Municipalities play a pivotal role in shaping the future of farmland through zoning, land-use planning, and policy decisions. But they can’t act alone. Collaboration between municipal leaders, farmers, planners, conservationists, and community members is essential to protect Ontario’s agricultural future.

Our 2026 Farmland Forum will be unlike any before, offering an inspiring space for cross-sector dialogue, shared learning, and practical action. Through a keynote address, farmer-led panel, informative sessions, and a hands-on workshop, the Forum will explore the challenges and gaps facing municipalities and local communities, and highlight actionable steps to protect Ontario’s farmland, ensuring a future that includes food, farms, economic vitality, and resilient communities. Participants will leave inspired with practical tools to champion farmland protection back home.

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