Local Food represents an economic development opportunity that municipalities may want to support. But where to start? Hear from jurisdictions that have developed good local food programs in keeping with the municipal role. Learn about resources that exist to guide your efforts and help evaluate your programs.

1. GROWING AGRICULTURE AND FOOD:
A STRATEGY FOR YOUR MUNICIPALITY
Danielle Collins
Agriculture Economic Development Policy Analyst
Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference
November 23, 2016

2. 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

3. Agriculture Economic Development
Enhance opportunities for agriculture through:
 Research and knowledge transfer
 Policies and funding programs
 Public support and understanding
Supply
Chain
Farmers
Farmland

4. 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.

5.  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

6. 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

7. GUIDE AND CHECKLIST TO
SUPPORT AGRICULTURE IN
YOUR MUNICIPALITY

8. Turn barriers into opportunities
Land use
planning
Taxation
Financial
incentives and
reduced costs
Community
and regional
food planning
Consultation
www.ofa.on.ca/GrowAg

9. 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

10. 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.

11. Incentivize businesses and reduce
the cost burden
 Enact a by-law to exempt new farm structures from
development charges
 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

12. 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

13. Talk with your farmers
 Create an Agricultural Advisory Committee to discuss policies
that may affect farmers and invite them to the table when
discussing matters of food access, food security, or local food
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

14. 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

15. AGRICULTURE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

16. Examine Your Ag+Food Community
 SWOT Analysis/Environmental Scan
 Asset Mapping/Cluster Analysis
 Business Retention and Expansion Project

17. Promote Your Ag+Food Community
 Local Food Map
 Culinary/Agri-Food Tourism Strategy
 Agri-Food Investment Strategy
 Local Food Education & Awareness Project / “Buy Local”
Campaign
 Directional and Farm-Gate Signage Project
 Import Substitution and Local Procurement
 Community Leadership and Sector Champions

18. Support Your Ag+Food Community
 Community Improvement Plans (CIPs)
 Encourage Supportive Land Use Policies
 Support Ag + Food Organizations/Increase Capacity for
Ongoing Projects
 Invest in Ag + Food Infrastructure –Processing, Storage and
Distribution
 Strengthen the Value Chain
 Encourage Co-Ops and Community Networks
 Encourage Linkages Across Municipalities
 Hire an Agriculture Development Officer/Local Food
Coordinator

19. Helpful Resources
 Best practices in local food: A guide for municipalities
Deloitte and The Ontario Municipal Knowledge Network
(2013).
 Municipal Food Policy Entrepreneurs
Rod MacRae and Kendal Donahue for Canadian Agri-Food
Policy Institute (2013).

20. Thank you
Danielle Collins
Policy Analyst
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
danielle.collins@ofa.on.ca
(519) 821-8883 ext. 268