Durham Region is undertaking a study to update policies for agriculture-related and on-farm diversified activities, and the application and approval processes for these activities within the Townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge. The overall objective is to support a thriving agricultural system and rural economic opportunity, while balancing farmland protection.

The study focuses on land use categories that support and are compatible with agricultural areas and that are permitted by the province. These land use categories are defined as follows:

• Agriculture-related uses “means those farm-related commercial and farm-related industrial uses that are directly related to farm operations in the area, support agriculture, benefit from being in close proximity to farm operations, and provide direct products and/or services to farm operations as a primary activity.”
• On-farm diversified uses “means uses that are secondary to the principal agricultural use of the property, and are limited in area. On-farm diversified uses include, but are not limited to, home occupations, home industries, agri-tourism uses, and uses that produce value-added agricultural products.”

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has authored Guidelines on Permitted Uses in Ontario’s Prime Agricultural Areas (Publication 851), which can be accessed through the link on this webpage. The guidelines identify examples of both types of uses.

Some examples of agriculture-related uses identified in the guidelines include:

• Apple storage and distribution centre serving apple farm operations in the area
• Local Farmers’ Market
• Processing of local produce (e.g. cider-making, cherry pitting, canning, quick freezing, packing)
• Grain dryer farm operations
• Agricultural research centre
• Winery using local grapes
• Abattoir processing and selling meat from animals raised in the area
• Flour mill for grain grown in the area
• Farm equipment repair shop
• Livestock assembly yard or stockyard serving farm operating in the area
• Auction for produce grown in the area
• Farm input supplier (e.g. feed, seeds, fertilizer)

Some examples of on-farm diversified uses identified in the guidelines include:

• Value-added uses that could use feedstock from outside the surrounding agricultural area (e.g. processor, packager, winery, cheese factory, bakery, abattoir)
• Home occupations (e.g. professional office, bookkeeper, land surveyor, art studio, hairdresser, massage therapist, daycare, veterinary clinic, kennel, classes or workshops)
• Home industries (e.g. sawmill, welding or woodworking shop, manufacturing/fabrication, equipment repair, seasonal storage of boats or trailers)
• Agri-tourism and recreation uses (e.g. 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)
• Retail uses (e.g. farm market, antique business, seed supplier, tack shop)
• Café/small restaurant, cooking classes, food store (e.g. cheese, ice cream)

The Region, in partnership with the three Townships, is undertaking this study to understand the types of agriculture-related uses and on-farm diversified uses that are relevant to Durham’s agricultural-sector and how they may contribute to the rural economy, as well as where and how these land uses are permitted.

Survey Instructions

The survey takes approximately five (5) minutes to complete. If you would like to contact the Region with additional input, please email investdurham@durham.ca.