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1 Farmland preservation near growing urban regions: Lessons from Oregon Laura Schreiner, Dr. John Devlin University of Guelph April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar The question 2 Agriculture in southern Ontario is facing certain challenges.

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Farmland preservation near growing urban regions: Lessons from Oregon

Laura Schreiner, Dr. John Devlin University of Guelph April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

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The question

´ Agriculture in southern Ontario is facing certain challenges. ´ Land use planning and policy in review process in Ontario, in part to address this concern. ´ Oregon considered a model for agricultural land use planning. ´ Can Ontario learn from Oregon’s experience with land use planning for agriculture?

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Laura Schreiner | April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

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Study regions

Laura Schreiner | April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

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Ontario: Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH)

´ Urban and highly populated ´ Rich agriculture

´ Excellent soils ´ Diverse, highly productive farms

´ Signs of agricultural decline:

´ Loss of farmland ´ Loss of farm services and businesses ´ High rates of farmland rental (inner ring)

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Laura Schreiner | April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

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Impermanence syndrome

´ When farmers perceive that their land may not remain in agriculture for much longer, and start to disinvest in the farm

´ Less labour, less maintenance & upkeep, no new investments (e.g. infrastructure)

´ Shift away from livestock (too much conflict) ´ Shift towards cash/field crops (low capital, low labour, quick return) ´ Young people tend not to start farming ´ Farm-related businesses and services leave

Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/suckamc/220168454/in/photolist-4o1SZs-4UVYrp-3fAUqS-dnHSvT-dnHWw1-dnHWG1-dnHS8Z-dnHRZR-dnHSmP-dnHWo3-dnHRSx-dnHWRw-ksqpQ

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Laura Schreiner | April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

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Oregon: Willamette Valley

Why Oregon?

´ Recognized leader in land use planning in North America ´ Ambitious land use planning system since 1973

Why Willamette Valley?

´ Excellent agricultural land ´ Population density & growth ´ Parallel policy structure

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Laura Schreiner | April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

Martin, S., Henderson, T., Merrick, M., Mylott, E., Haines, K., Price, C., Koski, A., and Dann, R. (2008). Planting Prosperity and Harvesting Health: Trade-

ffs and Sustainability in the Oregon-Washington Regional Food System. Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies, Portland State University, p. 10.

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Framework: “Agricultural Systems”

Agricultural land base Agri- business group

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Laura Schreiner | April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

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Indicators of agricultural system success/viability

Agricultural land base Agri- business group

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Laura Schreiner | April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

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Indicators of agricultural system in Willamette Valley

500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000 2,500,000 3,000,000 1957 1967 1977 1987 1997 2007 2017

Land in farms in Willamette Valley (acres)

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Laura Schreiner | April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

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Indicators of agricultural system in Willamette Valley

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Laura Schreiner | April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

https://www.ezilon.com/maps/united-states/oregon-geographical-maps.html; https://bit.ly/2GUwZ2X; https://bit.ly/2JGZ93q;

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How has Oregon done it?

´ Land use system created in 1973 ´ State-wide, mandatory, implemented by local governments ´ Key features of Oregon’s planning system:

´ Minimum agricultural lot sizes ´ Special zoning for highest value farmland, with restrictions on land use (e.g.

n new dwellings, types of businesses allowed)

´ Property tax benefits for farmland ´ Urban growth boundaries

´ …6 lessons for Ontario

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Laura Schreiner | April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

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Lesson 1: Firmer, rational urban growth boundaries create greater land use certainty

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Laura Schreiner | April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

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Lesson 2: “Agricultural systems”-based planning is possible, and requires resources

Metro Portland’s urban and rural reserves ´ Historically: land brought into UGB based on a strict hierarchy based on soils ´ New system: land is selected for development on a more complex methodology, which considers agricultural system

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Laura Schreiner | April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

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Lesson 3: Citizen engagement and support is critical

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Laura Schreiner | April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

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Lesson 4: A watchdog is important

Working with Oregonians to enhance our quality of life by building livable urban and rural communities, protecting family farms and forests, and conserving natural areas.

Image: http://www.friends.org/

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Lesson 5: Strong rural planning and strong urban planning are mutually dependent

Image: https://bit.ly/2IUEnMC

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Lesson 6: Land use planning alone is not enough

´ Policy cannot make farming lucrative

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Laura Schreiner | April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

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Conclusion

´ Oregon’s system has its problems and critiques

´ Politically susceptible, lack of regional planning, “expanding boxes”

´ However, by North American standards it has been quite successful in:

´ protecting agricultural land from development ´ supporting farming (the “agricultural system”)

´ Holds key lessons for Ontario as we try to improve our planning for agricultural systems ´ (and much potential for future comparative research!)

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Laura Schreiner | April 11, 2018 | RPLC Webinar

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Thank you!

Policy brief with additional information:

http://rplc-capr.ca/wp- content/uploads/2018/03/FarmlandPreservationLessonsOregon_PolicyBrief.pdf

Contact:

Laura Schreiner

Land use planner & researcher schreiner.laura@gmail.com Guelph, ON