Agriculture
The Severn Sound watershed is primarily agricultural, and provides an essential food supply to Toronto and surrounding areas. Protection of agricultural land and production is a key element of the watershed’s sustainability plan.
In the Severn Sound watershed:
- Agriculture is an important part of the diverse economy.
- Agricultural operations total approximately 900.
- Farm sizes average below 100 acres.
- Farming practices can have a significant impact on environmental quality, which impacts other sectors such as tourism.
- Farming includes:
- Beef farming, especially in Severn, Oro-Medonte, Tiny and Tay
- Dairy farming, especially in Springwater, Oro-Medonte and Tay
- Specialty farms, especially in Tiny, Tay and Severn
- Field crop farming especially in Severn and Springwater
- Agricultural lands are under pressure to urban development, particularly near existing settlements. Some governments in the watershed have taken steps to reduce conflicts between urban and agricultural land uses and to protect agricultural land through Official Plan policies.
- Local agriculture is promoted through the Simcoe County Farm Fresh Marketing Association, which has developed a branding and marketing strategy for Simcoe County farm products. The Township of Georgian Bay farms fall within the geographic range of Muskoka Farm Fresh, a marketing group and agricultural sustainability promoter, and Savour Muskoka, a group and brand that promotes culinary tourism.
- Farmers have worked with the Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA) to adopt more environmentally sustainable agricultural practices to limit surface and ground water pollution.
- Farms include members of: