OFA recommends that planning authorities consult with farmers before adopting standards that may affect agricultural operations. Ontario farmers benefit from a consistent planning system, and while some enhanced development standards don’t apply to farms, municipalities still use tools like site plan control and by-laws to prevent negative impacts related to access, drainage, grading, landscaping, utilities and on-site services. Addressing these issues during planning helps avoid costly fixes later and protects farm families’ health, safety and livelihoods.