One of the fastest growing segments of the Ontario rural economy, Agri-Tourism allows visitors to see first hand how modern and more traditional farms operate.

One weekend each year, many of our farms open their barn doors for the annual Rural Ramble tour.

Throughout the year, individual farms allow you to pick-your-own fruit while offering fun activities such as wagon rides and field mazes.

Fascinating Farm Facts:

• At the turn of the century, one farmer produced enough food to feed 12 persons. Today, each farmer produces food enough for 120 persons. That's a remarkable increase in efficiency. We all enjoy the benefits when we eat 'Ontario Grown'.
• Canadians now spend less than 10% of disposable income on food - the lowest in the world. People in other parts of the world also enjoy Ontario food exports - $5.6 billion worth per year. The U.S. is our largest customer, purchasing about 2/3 of our agricultural exports.
• Within Canada, Ontario is the leading producer of a number of products - hogs, poultry, eggs, sheep, lambs, fruits, vegetables, corn, soybeans and nursery products. We are second to Alberta in cows, and second to Quebec in dairy products.
• $6.8 billion worth of farm products are produced on 14 million acres of Ontario farmland. Retail food stores purchase these products from processors to stock their shelves with $20.2 billion worth of food products and beverages. Food service providers also use these food products to prepare $11.9 billion worth of meals for patrons*.
• Approximately 150,000 people work on about 70,000 Ontario farms. But this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to jobs. For every $1 million of output: the manufacturing industry creates 12 jobs; the construction industry creates 17 jobs; and the agriculture and related industry creates 31 jobs. In Ontario, the total agri-food industry provides 682,000 jobs for 20% of our workforce - second only to the automotive industry*. In most of our rural municipalities, agriculture is the leading industry by far.
• Ontario farmers also put a lot of money back into the system each year by purchasing goods and services ($6.5 billion), and contributing tax dollars to operate their farms.
• Modern farms depend on computers to assist in milking, livestock mating, machinery functions, marketing, financing, feeding, record keeping, weather information, nutrient reports, disease control, and crop rotations.

For more information the areas farming industry go to:
Businesses - Agriculture

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