On-Farm Diversified Uses Review

About the Project

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has a strong and diverse agricultural sector that is an important part of the community, local economy, and tourism industry. On-farm diversified uses and agritourism can help farms grow, remain successful, and offer new ways for residents and visitors to experience local agriculture.

As these activities continue to grow and change, the Town is reviewing its policies for on-farm diversified uses and agritourism. The goal is to make sure the Town’s policies are clear, current, and supportive of the agricultural community, while continuing to protect agricultural land for the future.

The Town has retained WSP to lead the project. The review will look at how Town policies can:

• support the needs and long-term success of the agricultural community;
• provide opportunities for appropriate on-farm diversified uses and agritourism;
• support local economic growth and tourism;
• provide clear and consistent rules for farm operators, residents, and the Town;
• support compatibility between agriculture, tourism, and nearby land uses; and
• protect agricultural land and Niagara-on-the-Lake’s unique agricultural character.

Through this project, the Town wants to take a forward-looking approach that supports new ideas and economic opportunities for the agricultural sector while keeping agriculture as the main use of agricultural lands.

This project will review existing policies and recommend possible changes. It will not put any changes into effect. Any recommended policy changes would go through a separate Town review and approval process, including opportunities for public input, before they could take effect.

Greenbelt Foundation

We’re excited to share that the project has received funding from the Greenbelt Foundation. This support will allow the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake to complete a policy review for on-farm diversified uses within Ontario’s Greenbelt. The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is honoured to be part of a network of organizations working to protect the Greenbelt’s vital natural systems, farmland, and communities.

Stay tuned for updates as the project gets underway. For more information about how the Greenbelt Foundation is working to ensure Ontario’s 2 million-acre Greenbelt remains permanent, protected, and prosperous, visit www.greenbelt.ca.

What Will the Project Include?

The project will review the Town’s current policies, look at approaches used in other communities, and gather input from farmers, businesses, residents, and other interested groups. This information will help identify what is working well, where improvements may be needed, and what changes could be considered.

The project will include:

• Engagement Strategy: A plan for how and when the Town will involve the agricultural community, residents, businesses, interested groups, and the public throughout the project.
• Review of Other Municipalities: A review of how other municipalities in Ontario manage on-farm diversified uses and agritourism. This will help identify good practices and new ideas that could work in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
• Technical Review and Issues Report: A detailed review of the Town’s current policies and rules. The report will identify key issues, opportunities, and areas that may need to be updated or clarified.
• Stakeholder Workshops: Workshops with farmers, agricultural organizations, tourism operators, businesses, and other groups to better understand their experiences, needs, and ideas.
• Public Survey: An opportunity for members of the community to share their views about on-farm diversified uses and agritourism in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
• Public Information Centre: A public meeting where community members can learn more about the project, review the work completed to date, ask questions, and provide feedback.
• Policy Recommendations: Recommended updates to the Town’s policies based on the technical review, research, and feedback received throughout the project.
• Committee and Council Presentations: Updates will be provided to Council during the project. Final recommendations will be presented to Council for consideration and direction.

Engagement

Opportunities to participate and engage in this project will be posted on this page. Stay tuned.

Stakeholder engagement will commence in mid September 2026. Public engagement opportunities will be posted here once finalized and confirmed with WSP and are expected to commence in October.

Project details are also available on the Town's project website.