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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-032-00 '. ":..~ '. Ill>l' P032.{)l) . "t~;"}\~l1Jl ~~s ~ THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON REPORT Meeting: Date: Report #: General Purpose and Administration Committee Monday,i\pril 3, 2000 PD-032-00 File #: PLN 28.5 ---- File # :]X> ;;:L ~JJ) J f(, ~ Res. # GfJlf-!Jf!c:J 0 By-law # 7 S ubj ect: GREATER TORONTO AREA - AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY - FlLE: PLN 28.5 Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PD-032-00 be received; and 2. THAT a copy of Report PD-032-00 be forwarded to the Durham Region Federation of Agriculture and to the Greater Toronto Area Federations of Agriculture Project Management Committee. 1. PURPOSE 1.1 The "Greater Toronto Area Agricultura1 Economic Impact Study" was commissioned by the Greater Toronto Area Federations of Agriculture. The purpose of the study was to "identify the benefits that agriculture provides to the urban populations of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the circumstances required to ensure that agriculture has the opportunity to continue to exist in the GTA". The two main objectives of the Study are to measure the economic benefit of agriculture in the GTA and to share these findings with government agencies enabling these agencies to make more informed decisions on issues that may impact agriculture. , 1301 :~~'?~,'-\~ - ~2?:'t=-_ ~~ , ' .- ~-- I~"'" "'!Ii>,,-"'!l; '-~. ; REPORT PD-032-00 PAGE 2 , 1.2 The Federation of Agriculture will be making a presentation to Committee on April 3, 2000. The purpose of this report is to highlight some of the main findings of the GTA Agricultural Economic Impact Study emphasizing agricultural activities in Clarington. A copy of the complete report has been provided to the Committee by the Clerk. 1.3 On February 4, 2000, the GTSB adopted the eight recommendations of the Greater Toronto Area Agricultural Economic Impact Study and will include consideration of the agricultural industry as an important component of GTSB strategies. The eight recommendations can be referred to in Attachment #1 to this report. The recommendations are not specifically addressed in this report but will be reviewed during the presentation. 2. FINDINGS The report provides a profile of the agriculture industry within the GTA. Information such as number of farms, types of farms and amount of acres of cropland are provided. In addition, the report also provides economic information such as farm revenue and farm receipts. The economic impacts of agriculture are discussed and the advantages in retaining an agricultural tax base are identified. The social, cultural and environmental impacts of agriculture are also discussed in this study. Some of the main findings are reviewed below. 2.1 Agriculture in the GTA Context In 1996 there were 529 farms in Clarington representing 11.5% of the farms within the GTA. Clarington's share of the percentage of acres farmed within the GTA is also significant. The number of acres farmed in Clarington (85,985 acres) is second only to Caledon (89,569 acres) within the GTA. These numbers signify the importance of Clarington's agricultural industry within the GT A. ...._ of F_ Land In GTA ,.tc...... of Fum, .k..... t'" GTA Remaining MunlclpaIItIes 55.7% Other Durham 33.0% ....- - .... OIllerDurhom 31.8 1 3-0 2 l"~ ," J..' ~ -J...... REPORT PD-032-00 PAGE 3 2.2 Agriculture in the Durham Context Clarington has the largest amount of farmland in Durham Region. Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa combined comprise only 15% of the farm acreage in 1996, compared to 26% in Clarington alone. Clarington's 529 farms are the largest of any municipality in Durham; the City of Oshawa has only 70 farms and the Town of Whitby only 88 farms. As would be expected Ajax is the lowest with only 28 farms.. Scugog has 445 farms, the second highest in Durham. Farmland Acres In Durham Region Whitby 4% Oshawa 2.3 Dominant Farm Types in Clarington Farming is quite diverse in Clarington ranging from livestock to field crops to specialty items such as strawberries and mushrooms. 50% 45% 40% !l, 35% f 30% .. 25% l:! 20% ~ 15% 10% 5% 0% ,~ J!P<:" Q'" 'Ii' .."" v Clarlngton Farm Type 3.0% ~cfb b<<-<fi' (lIf ..'" ,# ~.l($'o <i q ~~ "i' /:F> if'~ << t-'1i . -o$"'li -!I..f$ ",,-0 ~tJ:J cJs- ",'" # ~'1i ~ ,~ ,l' ~ # 1 3 oJ'Ype .t J ~,.;.. '*- ...~ REPORT PD"032-00 PAGE 4 <-;_._-:'- Within Clarington, there are 154 beef cattle farms (32.7%) and 107 miscellaneous specialty farms! (22.7%), Together, they comprise 55% of the farms in Clarington. However, Clarington dominants the fruit farm industry within Durham as over 52% of Durham's fruit farms are located within Clarington. Apples and strawberries are the overwhelming dominant fruit farms in Clarington, Clarington has 63% of the apple orchards in Durham and 40.4% of the strawberry fields in Durham. 2.4 The Agriculture Economy in Clarington Agriculture represents a significant economic component in Clarington. The 1996 census statistics reveal that Clarington's farms accounted for greater than 25% of the gross receipts for farms within Durham in 1996. Of greater significance is the fact that the gross receipts of Clarington's agricultural industry totalled $52,8 million, second highest within the GTA, behind only Halton Hills ($65.3 million), Fully one-quarter of Clarington farms bring in gross receipts exceeding $100,000 annually. Also ofinterest is the fact that over 55% of Clarington farms have annual gross receipts of less than $24,999. This factor leads would indicate that in Clarington, a significant component of the farm industry provides a secondary source of income for the income earner, AImost 1000 people are directly employed in the agricultural industry in Clarington, Clarington agricultural workforce comprises almost 25% of Durham Region's agricultural workforce, In addition to the above, the agriculture sector creates a number of indirect jobs, primarily in retail and wholesale trade and agriculturally-related businesses. 1 Miscellaneous Specialy Farm is a farm that derives 51% or more of its income from one of the following categories: sheep and lamb, goat, horse and pony, fur, other animal specialty (eg. deer), mushroom, greenhouse products, nursery products and other horticultural specialty. 1304 "~"t, . '.... "'"'- <,'--' ' REPORT PD-032-OO PAGE 5 ~--~; .... Agricultural Jobs in Durham (1996) 50% 45% 40% . 35% III .II 30% Iii 25% l:! 20% :. 15% 10% 5% 0% vi / #' <lI 1;<" ct' ",,/ .",,,,Co "J>'" ~ _""~ ~If 'iF..;j9'" Municipality 2.5 Changes in Farming 2.5.1 Since 1976, there has been a loss of 657 farms within Durham Region. Clarington lost 167 farms, a decline from 696 in 1976 to 529 in 1996. This reduction (24%) is significant within Clarington and represents a significant portion (25%) of the number of farms lost in Durham Region. However, the decline in the number of farms, in part reflects increasing farm sizes and does not necessarily correspond with the loss of farm land. Rate of Change in Farm Numbers (1976-1996) "" "'" 50" . :- 40%- i J.3O% "" 10% '" Ajn Brock C1lrlnglon 01111_ Pick.ing Scugog lJJl:bridQI Wlllby Munlclpellty 2.5.2 Since 1976, the average size of farms have been increasing, In Clarington, the average size ofa farm rose an average of22% from 134 acres in 1976 to 163 acres in 1996. This ~ 1305 6~'{} ,~ '~ "'-'- REPORT PD-032-00 ""~" PAGE 6 is comparable to the increase across the entire GTA where the average farm size was 164 acres in 1996, The increase in farm size is a common trend found occurring throughout Southern Ontario, The average farm size in Ontario is now 206 acres, 2,5,3 In 1976, Clarington had 93,335 acres of farmland. In 1996, the amount of farmland fell by 7,381 acres to 85,985 acres. This is a decline of8%, During this same time, there was a decline of 13% in the amount of farmland within Durham Region. Of the lake front municipalities within Durham Region, Clarington experienced the least amount of change in the loss of farm acres. CHANGE IN FARMLAND ACRES IN DURHAM REGION (1976-1996) % Rate of Change (1976-1996) -40 -06 -08 -14 -29 -12 -05 -41 Ajax Brock Clarington Oshawa Pickering Scugog Uxbridge Whitby 1976 11,590 76,824 93,335 15,459 25,578 78,236 59,829 24,364 1981 7,734 72,719 88,844 15,594 25,241 84,046 57,681 21,752 1986 8,446 73,673 87,728 15,718 21,874 76,575 55,622 18,532 1991 5,332 67,218 90,256 11,393 18,131 71,997 54,161 18,734 1996 6,897 72,505 85,985 13,290 18,116 68,879 56,789 14,396 Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996 2.5.4 Farm ownership is much higher in Durham Then the rest of the GTA. In Durham 63% was owned, compared to 44% in York, 48% in Peel and 45% in Halton. This would indicate a stronger agricultural base less dependent on lands owned by speculators, government, retired farms or non-farmers, ,It is comparable to the provincial average of 70% owned, 2.5.4 Agriculture jobs in the GTA and Durham Region are declining. Between 1991 and 1996 the GTA experienced a loss of 15% and Durham Region experienced a loss of 7%. Clarington and Scugog, to the contrary, experienced an increase in the number of agricultural jobs, 1306 I I ~ r- .: ~~ ~ , , REPORT PD-032-00 PAGE 7 AGRICULTURAL JOBS BY MUNICIPALITY RATE OF CHANGE 1991 AND 1996 MUNICIPALITY 1991 1996 % Rate of Change Ajax 240 200 -20 Brock 525 430 -22 Clarington 975 995 2 Oshawa 500 430 -16 Pickering 325 275 -18 Scugog 800 850 6 Uxbridge 635 520 -22 Whitby 410 405 -1 3. MUNICIPAL OFFICIAL PLAN POLICIES 3.1 The Clarington Official Plan recognizes that the agricultural industry is a very important part of the Municipality's economic base. It is the goal of the Official Plan to encourage and support the agricultural industry, The objectives of the Official Plan include preserving high quality agricultural lands for farming purposes, to promote stewardship of agricultural lands for future generations and to direct non-farm uses to settlement areas, 3.2 Clarington's Official Plari has stringent policies with respect to the protection of agricultural land, Only development directly related to an agricultural activity shall be permitted without amendment to the Official Plan. The creation of new lots within the agricultural area is discouraged with the exception of severances for retiring farmers and new 40ha (100ac) farm parcels. The purpose of restricting lot creation and other forms of development in the agricultural areas is to preserve the existing agricultural areas and to ensure that further deterioration of the agricultural land base does not occur. 3.3 Clarington's Official Plan policies recognize the farming may not be the sole occupation of farmers, and thus provides for home occupation uses and home industry uses. It also permits farm-related industrial/commercial us~s to service the farming community. 1307 6 _j ,.f --~ ,c... ..:JJ;.,. ,- REPORT PD-032-00 PAGE 8 4. SUMMARY 4.1 Farming in Clarington represents a significant component of the agricultural industry in Durham Region and within the GTA, This is reflected not only in the total number of farms and the number of acres farmed, but also in the gross receipts produced by farms in Clarington. These numbers are indicative of the fact that the agricultural industry in Clarington is thriving. Clarington's proximity to a market of 120 million people and the high quality soils which are found in Clarington are reasons often given for the outstanding performance of Clarington farms. 4.2 Over the years, farming in Southern Ontario has been eroded by urban sprawl and policies that did not support the complete protection of agricultural land, In recent years, the protection of agricultural land has been an important issue and has been given the consideration it is due, 4.3 Clarington shares a strong community of interest with Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock in providing the municipal environment to support farmers and the broader agricultural community. Respectfully submitted, Reviewed by, cJ~~ . Crome, M,C.I,P" RP,P. Director of Planning Development Franklin Wu, M.C,I.P" R.P.P. Chief Administrative Officer HB*BN*DJC*cd March 23, 2000 Attachment #1 - GT A Federation of Agriculture Recommendations 1~08-,.'>~ '.':LJ:;>:5~ .. __~TIACHMENT _NO 1 GREATER TORONTO AREA AGRICUL TUAAl ECQNOMIC IMPACT STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Land use policies governing the use of agricultural land should be consistent across the GTA and should reflect the need to protect large contiguous areas from conflicting land uses and to prevent the further fragmentation of the agricultural land base. 2. Long range planning for the extension of roads and services must be done with the understanding that where there are services, there is pressure for development, Planning for urban services should be done comprehensively to avoid pressure on prime agricultural areas, 3. This study introduced the concept that the agricultural industry is a critical mass or cluster that sustains itself. If components of the cluster disappear, the cluster as a whole will be weakened. Additional research to identify the critical mass and essential elements required by various sectors of the industry would be useful to support planning for the industry, 4. An input-output analysis was conducted as part of this project, the results are contained in this report. However, there are limitations with this approach that are caused by the lack of specific data on a regional basis. Given the importance of the GTA economy, it would be appropriate to develop and maintain input-output tales for the GTA economy. 5. The issue of the taxes paid versus the services used is one which has not been specifically studied in the GTA. Comprehensive studies focusing on this issue would add helpful insight to the long tenn cost versus return of different types of development. 6. Agriculture is a rapidly evolving industry being updated by technological advance. All parties involved in the future of agriculture, from the farm operators to the politicians, should be kept abreast of the essential requirements of the industry to keep pace with these changes, 7, Agriculture in the GTA is a diverse, sophisticated industry that provides a wide variety of products, Marketing of this industry is key to its success, Given its nature, there are sectors, which are not marketed effectively, Fanners identified a need for assistance with marketing and responding to international trends. Programs to address these should be expanded and developed, 8. Although there are excellent educational programs for farmers, there is a need for hands on, co-operative programs to train and update fann employees. Efforts should be made to respond to this need, potentially through expanded skills, training, and apprenticeship programs designed to enhance innovation and entrepreneurship. I-3D 9 -.