Regional ag update reveals impressive farming numbers

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A fact sheet from the DAAC report presented to council on Monday, Feb. 9.

During a presentation to council on Monday morning, Bryant Hulshof and Beyan Smith of the Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (DAAC) gave a lengthy report on the work of the last year. Among topics discussed were transportation difficulties around the region, and the need for agricultural processing plants such as abattoirs in the region.

Hulshof told council there are 258 farms in Uxbridge alone, covering a total of 49,000 acres, with the average farm being about 200 acres.

One surprising fact concerned crops. Hulshof said the biggest crop in Uxbridge township is hay.

In the Region of Durham, as of 2024, there were 1,200 farms occupying 265,518 acres of farmland, with each farm being, on average, 220 acres. Of these regional farms, 24 per cent sell farm products directly to the consumer. Eighteen regional farms offer CSAs, or community supported agriculture, 32 sell at farmers’ markets, and 191 farms sell directly from their farm, either at stands or pick-your-own.

The purpose of DAAC is to provide advice to the Region of Durham on agricultural matters and rural matters as they relate to agriculture. DAAC also provides agricultural perspectives and shares the impacts or benefits to agriculture related to the topic. The committee currently has 17 members including members at large, a representatives from each local municipality, Durham Region Federation of Agriculture and Durham Farm Fresh. There are also three non-farming representatives on the committee.

For more information on DAAC, visit durham.ca/en/regional-government/committees.aspx