GROWING AGRICULTURE:

A STRATEGY FOR YOUR MUNICIPALITY

Danielle Collins

Agriculture Economic Development Policy Analyst

Municipal Agriculture Economic Development Forum, Caledon

November 3, 2016

Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Farmer-led, advocacy organization

Represents over 36,000 farm families

Voice of Ontario farmers for a sustainable and

profitable farming and food sector

52 County Federations represent local issues

Agriculture Economic Development

Enhance opportunities for agriculture through:

Research and knowledge transfer

Policies and funding programs

Public support and understanding

Supply Chain

Farmers

Farmland

Ontario agriculture is important

The agri-food sector contributes $36.4 billion in GDP

and employs 790,000 people in Ontario.

Rural economic development can be facilitated

through policies that support agriculture and

agri-food businesses.

Enabling a thriving agricultural sector strengthens

the local economy and promotes vibrant rural

communities.

The Premier’s Agri-Food Growth Challenge aims to double the annual growth rate and create 120,000 jobs in the agri-food sector by the year 2020.

To meet this challenge, OFA recognized the need for identifying municipal barriers and opportunities to support growth in Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food businesses.

OFA’s Policy Advisory Council, made up of farmers, met to identify and discuss local barriers to their growth and success

Agriculture needs local support

What we heard from farmers

Barriers to Growth

Lack of Communication

and Understanding

Constraining Municipal

Policies and Procedures

Unsupportive Tax Regimes

Financial Constraints

Competing Jurisdictions

Lack of Rural Infrastructure

Turn barriers into opportunities

Land use planning

Taxation

Financial incentives and reduced costs

Community and regional

food planning

Consultation

www.ofa.on.ca/GrowAg

Consider farming during land use planning

Update Official Plans and Zoning By-Laws to outline a clear definition and policy for permitted uses in agricultural zones, including on-farm value-added agriculture and agri-tourism

Inform staff of normal farm practices and the potential issues when non-agricultural uses are in agricultural areas

Talk to the roads department about the design features needed to accommodate large farm equipment

Alter taxation ratios

While MPAC determines the property class, there are two ways rural municipalities can support farm businesses:

Adjust your municipality’s farm tax ratio below 25% of the residential rate

Pass a resolution supporting OFA’s policy on taxation for buildings used for value-added agriculture

OFA’s Policy on Taxation for Buildings Used for Value-Added Agriculture Facilities should be subject to no more than 25% of the residential property tax rate, if historically at least 51% of the product is grown and value-added to by the same farmer(s), and at least 90% of the product is grown in Ontario.

Incentivize businesses and reduce the cost burden

Enact a by-law to exempt new farm structures from development charges

Apply to the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF)

Implement Community Improvement Plans (CIPs) that encourage businesses to upgrade their infrastructure or invest in their operations, such as for value-added processing on the farm

Engage in community food planning

Support incubator kitchens, regional distribution hubs, farmers’ markets, mobile grocery stores, and other initiatives to enhance the regional food system

Promote a local food brand to improve consumer awareness and community loyalty

Develop a local food procurement policy to increase the demand for local food

Conduct an asset mapping project to identify gaps and opportunities in the regional food system

Talk with your farmers

Create an Agricultural Advisory Committee and invite farmers to the table when discussing matters of food access, food security, or local food policies

Consult with farmers on agricultural policies, or policies that may affect their farm operation, including on-farm value-added agriculture policies

Consult with farmers to make sure roads, bridges and traffic circles are sized for modern farm equipment

Dedicate a farmer representative to the board of the conservation authority to improve working relationships, especially related to reviewing permit applications

Keep the conversation going

Guide and Checklist have been shared with staff, County Federations, OMAFRA staff, local organizations and some economic development offices

Available on our website www.ofa.on.ca/GrowAg

This preliminary work has the ability to initiate the dialogue but there are many other resources and opportunities to keep the conversation going between municipalities and farmers

Thank you

Danielle Collins Policy Analyst

Ontario Federation of Agriculture

danielle.collins@ofa.on.ca

(519) 821-8883 ext. 268