While public policy exists to protect land for public benefit throughout Canada, it does not always reflect society's long-term values, especially those that are not readily measurable in dollars and cents. In addition, public policy can be subject to change based on the social and political climate of the day.

Although not lobby organizations, land trusts can also work to provide education programs and other initiatives that will promote public policies that will protect valuable farmlands.

We believe that policies to protect farmland in Ontario must be linked to long-term policies to protect the agricultural industry.

Our current education and communication priorities are:

• To increase understanding of farmland preservation issues and the Ontario Farmland Trust among members of the general public
• To help develop better connections between rural and urban communities
• To provide policy analysis and feedback on farmland preservation issues - from the perspective of the farming community
• To identify opportunities to enhance the viability of farming in Ontario