Ontario Land Access Guide

This guide aims to support new and landless farmers as they journey  toward accessing land. In researching and writing this guide, the driving question has  been: how have new farmers gotten onto land? There are several different options to  consider: from leasing and purchasing, to community farms and incubator plots- each  with its own set of pro’s and con’s. Farming is hard work, and it takes significant planning, perseverance, and determination to be successful.  

This guide will lead you through a brainstorming and reflection process to help frame  your needs and directions. It will outline the various choices for accessing land. It provides useful tips for assessing land for farming, as well as a checklist for negotiating an  agreement with a landowner. You will also find sample lease and license templates.  We’ve included examples of different types of land access relationships from leasing,  to owning, to family tenure.

In Ontario, 55% of farmers are over the age of 55, and only 9.4% are under the age of  35¹. The 2016 census saw the first small uptick in the number of young farmers since  1991. The average age of farmers in Canada is also 55, and only 1 in 8 have a succession plan in place². In the next twenty years, Ontario is going to see an unprecedented  turnover in land tenure, and it is essential to ensure that farmland remains in the hands  of farmers – and is accessible to new farmers. 

Farmland prices in Ontario are some of the highest in Canada with a provincial aver age of over $10,000 per acre³. Things have changed for our generation. Housing and  job markets look different than they did 20 years ago. These days, many of us work  several different jobs with considerably less job security and a limited ability to plan for  retirement. Buying land without existing capital (equity), family support, or a business  partner to finance farm start-up is extremely challenging. That’s why we put this guide  together: to support you in your decision-making process to figure out what is viable  for you and your farm business.

The Young Agrarians Ontario Land Access Guide was developed in partnership with the National Farmers Union-Ontario. Thank you to all of the farmers, organizations, collaborators and funders who participated!