Looking Ahead to 2026: Momentum, Gratitude, and What Comes Next

As we step into a new year, I want to begin with gratitude.

2025 was a remarkable year for the Ontario Farmland Trust, and none of what we achieved would have been possible without the steadfast support of our donors, members, volunteers, landowners, partners, and allies across the province. Your belief in the importance of protecting Ontario’s farmland continues to fuel this work, and it is because of you that we are entering 2026 with such strong momentum.

Over the past year, we reached several meaningful milestones. We were honoured to announce a $1 million grant, a transformative investment that strengthens our long-term ability to protect farmland and support farmers. We also achieved Canadian Land Trust Standards & Practices Certification of Excellence, a recognition that reflects decades of careful stewardship, accountability, and trust-building. And we protected 4 new parcels of farmland totalling 704 acres. OFT now protects 30 properties totalling over 3,109 acres!

Together, these accomplishments tell a bigger story: OFT is growing not just in scale, but in capacity, credibility, and impact.

That momentum carries directly into 2026.

This year, OFT is focused on deepening our impact across the province. We are expanding farmland protection in priority clusters and advancing more conservation easement projects with eleven farms totalling another 1,648 acres. At the same time, we are investing more intentionally in education, community engagement, and demonstration-based learning, particularly through the Bourgeois Farm and our growing suite of resources, events, and field days.

2026 is also a pivotal year for community mobilization. With municipal elections on the horizon, our Farmland Forum, webinars, community presentations, and mobilization resources, we aim to empower people across Ontario to advocate for farmland as essential infrastructure that’s critical to food security, rural economies, and climate resilience.

Another major focus for the year ahead is advancing the Farmland Access Program. We are working to secure funding for a dedicated Program Manager to lead this next phase. They will be supporting land donations, refining program design, and advancing a Revolving Farmland Conservation Fund. This work is about more than land protection; it’s about ensuring farmland remains accessible, affordable, and viable for current and future farmers.

When I look ahead to 2026, I feel both hopeful and energized. The challenges facing farmland are real and urgent, but so is the collective will to protect it. The progress we made in 2025 has set the stage for an ambitious year ahead, and I am deeply grateful to be doing this work alongside such a committed community.

Thank you for standing with us. We look forward to sharing what 2026 brings and continuing to be on this momentous journey with you.