Agricultural Profile
Land Base
Aside from the Niagara Escarpment and the Oak Ridges Moraine, most of the remaining rural area of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is prime agricultural land, having good soils (Class 1 to 3 soils capability for agriculture) with a favourable climate for agricultural production. Of the approximately 1.8 million acres of land in the GTA, Statistics Canada reports that approximately 760,000 acres are classified as farmland, of which 500,000 acres or 44 per cent is situated in Durham.
 Economic Profile
The agricultural economy in the GTA contributes about three per cent of the GTA gross domestic product and comprises about 7.5 per cent of agricultural production in the province. These figures become more significant, when one recognizes that the GTA represents almost 50 per cent of the Ontario economy and 20 per cent of Canadian economy.
Gross farm receipts in the GTA totalled $585 million in 1996, with $208 million (35 per cent) in Durham the highest of the four regional municipalities. At the area municipal level, Clarington’s receipts of $52.8 million is the second highest in the GTA, behind Halton Hills ($65.3 million). Compared to Huron County, which is considered Ontario’s principal agricultural country, farmers in the GTA produce about 14 per cent more revenue on 12 per cent fewer acres of crop land. Closeness to a market of 120 million people within a one-day drive, and good soils, are the general reasons given for the outstanding performance of GTA farmers.
Farming Types
 Based on 1996 Statistics Canada data related to farm types, the study finds that agriculture in the GTA is very diverse. The traditional farm types of dairy and livestock (34 per cent), fruit and vegetables (eight per cent), field crops (13 per cent), and mixed (11 per cent) account for 66 per cent of gross farm receipts in the GTA. The remaining 34 per cent of receipts are credited to specialty farms, a broad category that includes sheep and lamb, goat, horse and pony, fur, deer, mushroom, and greenhouse and nursery products.
Environmental and Social Benefits
 Farmland and large tracts of woodlots and open space lands contribute to improving air quality. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and generate oxygen. According to the Ontario Corn Producers Association, a hectare of corn produces enough oxygen in a mid-summer’s day to meet the annual respiratory needs of about 325 people.
Over the past few years, the value of agriculture to the natural environment has been growing. In some cases, woodlots and windbreaks are incorporated into farms to reduce soil erosion and provide wildlife habitat.
Impact of Agriculture on the GTA Economy
In addition to the $585 million direct farm receipts, the study estimates that about $742 million of indirect sales can be credited to agriculture in the GTA economy. In total, agriculture is estimated to contribute over $1.3 billion to the GTA economy.
Source: Greater Toronto Area – Agricultural Economic Impact Study
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