Middlesex 2046 - Agriculture

Agriculture is the most significant land use within Middlesex County and a major contributor to the local economy and culture.  Agriculture in Middlesex County has a $1.2 billion annual impact, with 7,800 jobs and $290 million in wages and salaries.

Middlesex County is home to favourable climate and soil conditions and a strong agricultural sector comprised of producers, operations, processing facilities, logistics, suppliers, and other supporting businesses.  Middlesex County also offers locational advantages for agriculture with ease of access to major Canadian and US markets.

Related to agriculture, Middlesex County is considering three primary issues within its Official Plan update:

  1. Continued protection of agricultural land:  Middlesex County is expected to grow at a faster rate over the next 25 years than previous decades, and this growth is expected to increase demand for land and housing.  The Official Plan is a significant policy tool that directs how and where growth happens, ensuring the continued protection of agricultural land.
  2. Farm sizes: The County’s Official Plan currently requires that new farm parcels be a minimum of approximately 40 hectares (100 acres).  The advantages of large minimum farm size are that they support viable farm operations and livestock with more efficient and flexible options.  However, it may be argued that smaller farm sizes allow easier access to farming opportunities, support specialty farm operations and value-added agriculture.  In addition, neighbouring communities allow for somewhat smaller farm sizes.
  3. Surplus dwellings: As farm operations expand and acquire additional farm dwellings, they may be permitted to sever a dwelling provided it was built prior to 1999. It is proposed that the Official Plan be updated to allow a surplus dwelling to be severed if it is at least 20-years old instead of it being built prior to 1999.

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