The Ontario Farmland Trust has secured the long-term protection of the Hindmarsh farm through the generous donation of a conservation easement by Marian Hindmarsh.  The property is immediately south of the Town of Goderich and within the northwesterly extremity of Central Huron. 

The property is 141 acres with around 80 acres of workable land, 28 acres of ponds and scrub growth, and 20 acres of hardwood bush.  This property has been a working farm for over sixty years with soil suitable for most non-tender crops. Fields are leased to neighbouring farmers who grow corn, wheat and soy beans in rotation. There have been dairy cattle, beef cattle and horses on the farm but there are no livestock at present.

The major forest block on the property contains a circular trail that has been named the John Hindmarsh Trail in honour of the owner's late husband who was an active conservationist.  The trail is maintained by the Maitland Trail Association.

A number of ponds were dug by John Hindmarsh to provide habitat for aquatic wildlife and waterfowl. Islands were created in most as nest sites that are relatively safe from predators for waterfowl. All are spring fed, and permanent. There has been substantial reforestation within the southern half of the main protection zone.

The Municipality of Central Huron Official Plan designates the property as a combination of Prime Agricultural Land, Natural Environment - Full Protection and Natural Environment - Watercourse. The Township of Goderich zones the entire area as AG2 - Restricted Agricultural Uses with adjacent land to the northeast zoned for Development. The entire forested area on this property is classified as both Significant Woodland and Significant Wildlife Habitat by the Central Huron Official Plan. The property has numerous habitat types available to terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, including some species-at-risk (Butternut, Monarch butterfly, Least Bittern, and others).

Mrs. Hindmarsh wishes to see the ecological and agricultural values of her land protected from prospective development nearby. The property is to be preserved, with only minimal development or replacement of structures allowed. The current agricultural use and ecological character of the site will be unchanged.

"Our family had always hoped the farm could be preserved for agriculture," says Mrs. Hindmarsh, "We realize time is running out, we've always wanted to do this, and now's the time."

Project Partners

The EJLB Foundation