Every day in Ontario, we lose 319 acres of farmland to non-agricultural land uses like urban development and aggregate extraction; this rate of farmland loss is unsustainable and cannot be allowed to continue. Everyone in Ontario relies on agriculture, from the food we eat, to the jobs in our communities. Without strong protections in place for our farmland, we may not be able to provide enough food to feed our growing population. (Ontario Farmland Trust)

Between 2011 and 2021, Prince Edward County’s cropland acreage decreased by -8.23% or 7,105 acres. Cropland — or “land in crops” as termed by Statistics Canada — refers to the usual field crops, as well as fruit and vegetable plantations and sod and nursery products. It does not include hay, pasture, silage crops, Christmas trees, woodlots or any other unproductive areas.

In PEC, the average age of farmers is 58.4 ….. but 63% of PEC farms do NOT have succession plans. (Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture, 2021) Will this farmland remain in use for agriculture?

Agriculture sector	PEC 2006	PEC 2011	PEC 2016	PEC 2021
Land in crops (acres)	92,451	86,317	86,027	79,212
Number of farms	520	477	432	375
Average age of farm operators	51.7	54.8	56.4	58.4
Farms reporting a written succession plan	--	--	34	44

The County Foundation hosted a farmland trust information session in March 2023. (see the recorded presentation to the right)

The popularity of PEC is generating more interest and pressure from developers. The new Official Plan, beginning July 8, 2021, includes a number of key policies aimed at building strong communities, protecting natural heritage systems, protecting agricultural resources, and protecting human health and safety when considering development in the County.