Oro-Medonte McBride Farm Put in Trust

—submitted

The Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) is pleased to announce the permanent protection of the McBride Farm as its 31st protected farm, bringing the total permanently conserved acreage to 3,241.03 acres. This marks OFT’s 8th protection in Simcoe County, a region with a rich agricultural heritage threatened by ongoing pressures from development and land conversion.

“The protection of the McBride property is especially significant because of the diversity of commodities produced on the farm, which feeds the local community, while its agricultural fields, forests, and wetlands provide essential habitat and food sources for pollinators and several species at risk birds,” said Joel Enman, OFT’s Farmland Protection and Stewardship Program Manager. “Conserving working landscapes like this ensures that food production and biodiversity can thrive together for generations to come.”

The McBride property encompasses approximately 79 acres of working agricultural land actively managed for hay production, pasture for livestock and poultry, and a diverse mix of fruits and vegetables. The farm’s soils include Class 1, Class 3, and Organic soils, all highly valued for agricultural productivity. In addition, approximately 14 acres of forested and natural areas, including mature woodlots, planted forest, and swamp habitat, will also be conserved under the easement. The remaining protected acreage is designated as a Farmstead Area.

These natural areas support a wide variety of wildlife habitats and have been observed hosting several species at risk, including Barn Swallows, Eastern Wood-Pewees, Grasshopper Sparrows, Wood Thrush, and Monarch butterflies. The historic barn on the property also provides nesting habitat for Barn Swallows, further spotlighting the ecological value of conserving both agricultural and natural features on working farms.

Simcoe County is home to more than 1,800 farms and over 483,000 acres of farmland, making agriculture a significant contributor to the local economy and local food security. However, farmland across Ontario continues to face loss and fragmentation; the province is losing 319 acres of farmland every day to non-agricultural land uses such as urban expansion and infrastructure development.

A permanent farmland easement on the McBride Farm ensures this land will remain productive farmland in perpetuity while safeguarding important natural features and wildlife habitat, even if the property is inherited or sold. Protecting farmland in Simcoe County supports local food systems, strengthens rural communities, and preserves essential ecological functions and benefits.

OFT thanks the McBride family for their leadership in farmland stewardship and extends appreciation to staff, volunteers, donors, and partners who made this project possible. The McBride property joins a growing number of farms conserved through voluntary agreements that protect agriculture and nature for future generations.

This project was made possible in part through funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, delivered through the Ontario Land Trust Alliance.

OFT’s province-wide mission is to protect and preserve farmlands and associated agricultural, natural, and cultural landscapes of food production for the benefit of Ontarians today and future generations. The charitable organization advances its mission through land protection, stewardship, policy research, and education. To learn more about the project and OFT, visit www.ontariofarmlandtrust.ca.