The project has four main objectives that are supported by a number of specific initiatives that comprise the project activities.

Objective 1

To document patterns of farmland loss in southern Ontario.

• Actual urbanization

• Spread of the "urban shadow"

• Non-farm land use in rural areas (severances and non-farm rural landowners)

Objective 2

To evaluate alternate policy options and recommend policy approaches for Ontario.

• Review American farmland protection programs

• Review other Canadian examples such as the BC Agricultural Land

• Reserve and the Quebec Regime

• Review the state-of-the-art in southern Ontario

Objective 3

To establish a farmland trust, conservancy or similar organization for Ontario.

Objective 4

To foster awareness and dialogue around the issue of farmland preservation in Ontario.

• Hold an annual workshop on farmland protection

• Build public awareness through outreach and media communications

• Build a network of individuals to work on specific initiatives of the project

• Partnership building