Ontario is losing farmland at a rate of 319 acres per day. The Ontario Farmland Trust works to protect farmland, however we recognize that more must be done to support agriculture in Ontario.
Meanwhile, Nearly 40 per cent of Canadian farmers are expected to retire in the next eight years and only 10.5 per cent of local farms report having written succession plans. Farmers in Canada under the age of 35 are leaving farming at twice the rate of the general farm population. As a result, there may soon be a crisis of generational renewal on farms in Ontario. Not only does farmland need to be protected, but farmers also need to be supported to stay in farming, in particular, groups such as new, young, and underrepresented farmers, or we will lack the farmers needed to sustain Ontario’s agricultural industry into the future.
The Sustainable Community Food and Farming Hub is about supporting new, young, and underrepresented farmers and the community by providing a gathering space with access to farmland, tools, infrastructure, and a social network to join in food production, environmental stewardship and experiential learning.
This project will launch at the Bourgeois Farm, in Tiverton, Ontario, a 37-acre property which was donated to OFT in 2024. The Hub will be a permanent feature honoring the Bourgeois’ legacy. It will host cultural, recreational, and civic activities focused on sustainable agriculture. Through educational workshops, hands-on experiences, and community events, it will unite farmers, families, and underrepresented groups in food production, environmental stewardship, and land-based learning. The long term outcome of this project will be a demonstrated increase in the community’s knowledge, confidence, and connection to farmland conservation.
An Open House and a garlic-planting activity have already been hosted on the site with positive feedback from attendees, and have resulted in new and strengthened relationships.
We have the opportunity to provide aspiring farmers with supportive pathways into agriculture and its role in conservation, in partnership with the community in the Municipality of Kincardine.
This project is important to the community because it creates a shared space where people can connect through food, farming, and conservation. The Hub will strengthen local food systems by teaching sustainable growing practices, improving access to fresh produce, and supporting food security for vulnerable individuals and families. It also provides meaningful opportunities for volunteers, farmers, and residents to work together—building relationships and fostering a sense of belonging.
By protecting and restoring farmland and natural habitats, the project helps preserve the local environment and biodiversity while promoting awareness of farmland loss and its impact on the food supply. The educational and hands-on programs will empower people with skills in sustainable agriculture and conservation, inspiring long-term community stewardship.
Ultimately, the Hub ensures that Bourgeois Farm remains a vibrant, productive space where people of all ages and backgrounds can learn, share, and collaborate—strengthening the local economy, enhancing quality of life, and leaving a lasting legacy of sustainability and connection to the land.
support
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Always looking for ways to support new farmers, crucial to evolving agriculture being current understandable practices.
Looking forward to the workshops.
Nice to see a new ag knowledge base created in Tiverton that’s open source& shared with non-profits
This community-based project is just what we need to create resilience & share best practices in the region.
Excited to see this project continue and grow!
It is great to keep the legacy of the farm going
Thanks to the committee for keeping this project alive