Preserving Ontario’s Agricultural Land: Strategies for Sustainable Growth

Farmland preservation is critical to the future of rural Ontario. The Connecting the Dots initiative is excited to share the first Rural Research Summary—Farmland Preservation and Urban Expansion in Ontario. This summary sheds light on the challenges and strategies associated with balancing farmland preservation amidst growing urban development pressures, providing implications and practical recommendations for policymakers, planners, and community stakeholders. The research was conducted by Wayne Caldwell, Sara Epp, Xiaouyan Wan, Rachel Singer, Emma Drake, and Emily Sousa and published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.    

The research explores:  

• The impact of urban sprawl on agricultural lands and its implications for local food security.  
• Effective land-use policies that can mitigate the adverse effects of urban expansion on farmland.  
• Innovative approaches and community engagement strategies that support sustainable land management.  

Learn more about the research through a brief one-page summary and a short video. This summary serves as a valuable resource for those interested in sustainable development and land-use planning in rural Ontario.   

This summary was created through the Connecting the Dots Initiative at the University of Guelph, supported by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance