The Greenbelt Route is now a reality — I've ridden it from end to end in both directions, and have found hundreds of ideas for how to explore this stunning near-urban landscape from the seat of my bicycle. There is so much on offer in Ontario’s Greenbelt at this time of year, and the cooler weather in spring and autumn make these shoulder seasons some of the most comfortable times of year to ride a bike. With the bulk of farm crops now coming off the fields, what better time of year for a bicycle farm market tour?

SUCCESS STORIES SHOWCASE ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION OF GREENBELT FARMERS

Greenbelt Foundation Celebrates Agriculture Week with Release of Farm Case Studies

The latest research from the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation focuses on nine successful farming operations within Ontario’s nearly two million acres of permanently protected Greenbelt. 

This report profiles nine successful farming operations within Ontario’s nearly two million acres of permanently protected Greenbelt. The collection of case studies, Greenbelt Farmers: Sowing the Seeds of Success, recognizes several ways local farm operations are providing economic prosperity to their families, communities, and Ontario’s $34 billion agri-food sector.

Many farmers by their very nature are entrepreneurial and are seeking new opportunities, innovating, and adapting to the changing environment. By highlighting examples of success and best practices, this report provides a better understanding of the approaches, management and tools used by farm operations, and can be helpful to the agriculture and agri-food sectors, as well as planners and policy makers. Home to 5,500 farms, farmland makes up 43 per cent of the Greenbelt. Farmers in the Greenbelt grow higher value crops than most Ontario farms—with gross farm receipts per acre in the Golden Horseshoe nearly doubling the Ontario average ($1,756 compared to $939).

The latest research from the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation focuses on nine successful farming operations within Ontario’s nearly two million acres of permanently protected Greenbelt. 

Home to 5,500 farms, farmland makes up 43 per cent of the Greenbelt. Farmers in the Greenbelt grow higher value crops than most Ontario farms—with gross farm receipts per acre in the Golden Horseshoe nearly doubling the Ontario average ($1,756 compared to $939).

The Niagara Escarpment in the Greenbelt is a UNESCO-designated World Biosphere Reserve. The Bruce Peninsula, pictured here, serves as fish and wildlife habitat and is home to an abundance of rare and endangered species

Ontario’s Greenbelt is pretty popular. Whether you’re driving on the highway, cycling the Greenbelt Route, or out for a walk on the Bruce Trail, you’re bound to see one of our many signs. No matter who I meet, if they are unfamiliar with the Greenbelt, they’re often familiar with our signs. Considered a world leader at almost two million acres, it’s the world’s largest permanently protected greenbelt.

This representation has put us on the global scale as a leading example in preserving productive farmland, forests, and wetlands from urban development. With greenbelts in England, Brazil, Germany, and Australia, Ontario’s stands out—and we will ensure it continues to. 

September 2015 Newsletter

Read our September Newsletter and find out how to make the most of the Greenbelt this fall. 

This month's newsletter includes:

• A list of Agriculture Week events
• New self-guided hikes throughout the Greenbelt 
• Tips for finding all the ingredients for a delicious Greenbelt Thanksgiving
• And More!

There’s something motivating about a team of people working together towards a common future. At our annual retreat, staff came together for team-building, agenda-setting, and collaborative learning.  

The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, the Professional Photographers of Canada, and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection are holding a photography contest to celebrate the people of Ontario’s Greenbelt.

We've already received a ton of great photos - and it's not too late to submit your own! I'm an avid photographer myself and recently took my family to Pioneer Village where I practiced a few of the tips I’ve gotten for taking a great photo.  They’ve help me so much that I wanted to share them with you. 

Lyn MacMillan’s favourite landscape, the Niagara Escarpment. 

The world needs more Lyns. 

Lyn MacMillan recently passed away at 94 years old. A renowned environmentalist, she was a tenacious fighter for protection of the Niagara Escarpment. After moving to Canada from England when she was young, she was consistently involved in environmental efforts protecting the Escarpment from development.

  Building a resilient tender fruit industry in Ontario 

The Ontario Tender Fruit Lab (a project of MaRS Solutions Lab and the Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience) convened 35 participants at a series of three workshops in the Niagara region to discuss the future of Ontario's tender fruit industry.

As a supporter and participant in this process, Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation staff worked with other stakeholder participants to strategize the best ways to bring about change in the Ontario tender fruit industry within the entire value network.

The resulting report, Building a Resilient Tender Fruit Industry outlines the shared strategy and interventions that emerged from the three workshops. Have a look to see what the future of tender fruit in Ontario could look like and read about the interventions are already being made by networks of local food champions!