GTA Agricultural Action Plan

The 37 actions in the Action Plan are a comprehensive development strategy for a vibrant farm sector in the GTA. The plan covers economic development, consumer education, marketing local food, land use policy and ways to sustain co-operative working partnerships.

The GTA Agricultural Action Plan in pdf format.

Guiding Principles

The Action Plan represents a shared vision with shared actions to be undertaken by the agricultural industry and all levels of government
Agriculture must be financially sustainable to enable the current and future generations of farmers to continue farming
Farmland value must be protected and supported through public policy and programs
GTA agriculture is distinct and its unique strengths must be capitalized on and marketed
The agricultural community must ally itself with consumers to create a strong political voice

A Short History of the GTA Agricultural Action Plan

In June 2001, the Greater Toronto Area Federations of Agriculture (Durham, Halton, Peel and York) approached the GTA Regional Chairs about the long-term sustainability of agriculture in the GTA. As a first step, the GTA Regional Planning Commissioners, who were asked by the Regional Chairs to assist, established the GTA Agricultural Working Group, consisting of staff from the Regions of Durham, Halton, Peel and York and the City of Toronto. One of the first endeavours of this new collaboration was the joint funding of a GTA Agricultural Profile Update (Planscape, 2003).

In March 2003, the GTA Agricultural Working Group and the GTA Federations of Agriculture organized a one-day workshop to discuss with agricultural leaders, planners and economic development professionals, the actions necessary to sustain agriculture in the GTA. The participants confirmed that despite the loss of agricultural land to urbanization, agriculture remains a significant economic activity and way of life in the GTA. They recognized the value of sustaining a viable food production sector near the five million people who call the GTA their home.

The GTA Federations of Agriculture and the GTA Agricultural Working Group then proceeded to work on an overall GTA Agricultural Action Plan addressing the following themes:

Economic Development
Education/Marketing
Land Use/Policy
Accountability and Responsibility

The resulting Proposed GTA Agricultural Action Plan was refined in consultation with Focus Teams consisting of farmers, planners, and community and sector leaders. In November 2003, the Proposed Action Plan was discussed at the GTA Agricultural Symposium at the Country Heritage Park in Milton. The document was finalized after incorporating the input received at the Symposium.

For more information, please contact:
Janet Horner
Coordinator, GTA AAC Agriculture Action Committee
519-925-5975
janet@whitfieldfarms.com