Dufferin Simcoe Farms For Sale

With over $120 million in farm cash receipts in 2012, 690 farms, and nearly 70,000 hectares of farmland, the agriculture sector is strong economically, with many opportunities. The most common farming categories in Dufferin County include cattle, dairy, soybeans, corn, and potatoes. The industry is responsible for 19,000 weeks of work each year, providing significant jobs to the region annually. There are changes to the region's workforce as well; the region is seeing an increase of 46% in farm operators under the age of 35, signalling a new generation of farmers stepping into this role in this region. 

Farming in the Simcoe Region includes over 2,000 farms. It utilizes over 500,000 acres of farmland to produce primarily oilseed and grain, cattle, hog, and pig farming, other animals, including goats, ducks, fish, and over 40 different types of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, the region has a growing beverage development, including various breweries, distillers, and whiskey producers that utilize products from within the area. The agriculture sector employs nearly 30,000, which is the largest employer industry in the region.

The Dufferin Federation of Agriculture represents the interests, concerns, and opinions of 729 farming families throughout the region, many of which have been family-owned for generations. The organization provides monthly newsletters to keep farmers informed of funding and investment opportunities, scholarships, and policy changes. The Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture provides extensive support for the region, including easy to access information on current key issues, which can be found on their website. With over 2,000 farms in the region, the organization is a great resource for local farmers to improve the agricultural sector locally and provincially. Additionally, Simcoe County offers tools, resources, and workshops to improve your farm's prosperity, such as by adding agritourism to your business as an additional revenue stream.

The Dufferin Simcoe region has a significant focus on conserving and maintaining the soil and water health in the area. The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority is a great resource that provides direct information and funding to cover a portion of costs incurred by testing and other applicable project costs on the farm. Projects include soil testing and planting trees to mitigate soil erosion. The Dufferin County offers grant funding for local farmers through the Dufferin Rural Water Quality Program that can be utilized for wetland creation, nutrient management, clean water diversion, and tree planting. The program, covering up to $5,000 in project costs, aims to remove barriers for landowners to establish meaningful environmental projects for their farms.