Agri-Tourism Opportunities on Ontario Farms

Matthew Rae – MPP for Perth-Wellington recently table the Growing Agritourism Act, 2024

This legislation, if passed, will remove barriers to investment, provide consistency across Ontario’s agritourism providers, and ensure participants are aware of the inherent risks associated with farm activities. 

The Wellington Federation of Agriculture endorses this Act as it provides resources and supports for members within our County to farm in a safe and economically viable way.

Since the tabling of the new Act, the farming community has been hearing from the general public, asking what does this mean and what exactly is Agritourism.

So, what is Agritourism?  Under the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) that is currently being updated to be named the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) policy, direction on matters of provincial interest related to land use planning and development are provided. As a key part of Ontario’s policy-led planning system, this Policy Statement sets the policy foundation for regulating the development and use of land. It also supports the provincial goal to enhance the quality of life for all Ontarians.

From the PPS, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rual Affairs (OMAFRA) developed a publication called: The Guidelines on Permitted Uses in Ontario’s Prime Agricultural Areas.  It is a tool to help municipalities, decision-makers, farmers and others interpret the policies in the Provincial Policy Statement, 2014 (PPS) on the uses that are permitted in prime agricultural areas.

The Guideline details what On-Farm Diversified Uses are. On-farm diversified uses should be related to agriculture, supportive of agriculture or able to co-exist with agriculture without conflict. On-farm diversified uses are intended to enable farm operators to diversify and supplement their farm income, as well as to accommodate value-added and agri-tourism uses in prime agricultural areas.

Agri-tourism as a form of On-Farm Diversified use and is defined as - a use, that is limited in area, promotes enjoyment, education, or activities related to the agricultural operation. The main activity of the property must be an agricultural use.

Examples of agritourism could be but are not limited to – a farm vacation suite, bed and breakfast, hay rides, petting zoo, farm-themed playground, horse trail rides, corn maze, seasonal events, equine events, wine tasting, retreats, zip lines)

The Wellington Federation of Agriculture (WFA), representing over 1,500 farm business owners in Wellington County, underscores the pivotal role of agriculture in our local economy. Agriculture serves as the backbone of our region's economic vitality and sustains numerous families within our community. The ability for farm business owners to diversify their operations is instrumental in ensuring their financial resilience.  The recent Growing Agritourism Act, 2024 provides some supports to farm owners to mitigate the risks involved with agritourism with liability protections.

To understand agriculture and learn about farming in Ontario please check out Farm and Food Care at www.farmfoodcareon.org  The site provides virtual farm tours at www.FarmFood360.ca or to understand food and farming in Ontario check out The Real Dirt on Farming publication that answers the question around current societal, climate and health questions in farming.  www.RealDirtonFarming.ca