Ottawa Farms For Sale

While Ottawa is Canada’s capital region, it continues to maintain a strong agricultural sector, employing over 10,000 Canadians either directly or indirectly tied to the industry across nearly 1,200 farming operations. Farmland throughout the area takes up about 40% of the land in rural municipalities within the area, with a focus on cash-crops and livestock production. Traditionally, the region produced mainly cash-crops and livestock, they have since incorporated a large variety of categories to satisfy the market.

Some additional farming categories found throughout the region include bee and honey farms, edible flowers, as well as speciality fruit and vegetables, which allow for added revenue for the businesses and really allow for their farms to be put on the map. There has been an increase to producing organically certified produce throughout the region, as well as shifting into agri-tourism opportunities, both of which farmers within the region are utilizing as additional revenues. Whether it’s hosting educational programs on the farm, or developing out sampling opportunities, farms incorporating this business have been economically beneficial. More development opportunities include small-scale processing and community support agriculture boxes. Additionally, the Ottawa area has begun to utilize and support more urban agriculture operations within the city’s core.

The Ottawa Federation of Agriculture represents the interests and concerns of the farm families throughout the Ottawa region along with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. Additionally, Just Food has created a Start-Up Farm Program with a variety of resources and supports for new farm owners and operators within the Ottawa region in an effort to remove barriers for those who would like to join the agriculture industry. Just Food has accomplished this since 2013 by providing access to rentable land, using shared infrastructure and equipment, as well as offering workshops to put tools into hands of soon-to-be farmers!

There are a variety of greenspaces throughout the Ottawa area, with many considered protected, conservation areas. These protected areas include Britannia Conservation Area, Richelieu Park, and Carp Hills Municipal Nature Reserve to name a few. Additionally, sustainability is a priority throughout the Ottawa area with regard to agriculture. As part of Canada’s greenbelt, there are resources from the National Capital Commission to rehabilitate historic barns, encouraging farmers to achieve organic farming certifications, as well as continue developing sustainable farming programs and practices.