• Stouffville’s Council will consider a proposed urban farm project during its May 7 meeting.
  • Franklin Field has been identified as the preferred site, to be gradually transformed over five years.
  • The farm would feature up to four large garden plots and offer a range of community programming.
  • Produce would be made available for sale with a portion of harvests donated to the Whitchurch Stouffville Food Bank.
  • A contracted Farm Manager would oversee operations, partnerships, and produce distribution.
  • Funding will come from sponsorships, grants, and existing municipal resources, with cost neutrality as the long-term goal.

 

A fresh take on farming could soon take root in the heart of Stouffville, as Council prepares to consider a proposed outdoor urban farm project during its May 7 meeting.

The idea was inspired by a December 2024 Council presentation by the Barrett Centre for Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture, based at Durham College, and has since grown into a locally tailored vision for Stouffville-grown produce, education, and community building.

The preferred site is Franklin Field, a centrally located green space nestled between Burkholder Street and the Leisure Centre and bounded by Franklin Street and the new Memorial Park playground area. According to the related Staff report, the field would be transformed over the next five years into a multipurpose space blending agricultural production with public programming.

The Barrett Centre’s original concept included a full agri-food hub with indoor and outdoor components. However, staff flagged the capital requirements and operational challenges of modular hydroponic facilities as significant. For now, the focus is on an outdoor model featuring up to four mixed-use garden plots, each approximately 50 by 100 feet.

Produce grown on-site would be sold locally, with a portion donated to the Stouffville Food Bank to support residents experiencing food insecurity.

“The goal of an urban farm is to increase access to fresh, locally grown produce as well as offer educational programming regarding the farming sector while building sustainability and food security in the region,” the report states.

To support operations, a dedicated Farm Manager would be hired on contract to oversee garden bed installation, develop programming, and build partnerships with local schools and community groups. The Manager would also coordinate sales channels for the produce. As operations scale, seasonal part-time staff could be added to help with harvests and maximize yields.

If approved, the Town would focus this summer on setup and logistical planning ahead of the 2026 growing season. Startup costs would be covered through a combination of sponsorships, grants, and, if needed, existing municipal funds identified in the 2025 budget.

“It is not anticipated that the Urban Farm will generate any revenue to offset start-up and operating expenses in 2025,” the report notes. “Staff will continue to explore funding opportunities to operate in a cost-neutral environment.”

The Town has already identified $50,000 in annual sponsorship funding over a five-year period and continues to pursue additional sources. A grant application has been submitted to the Ontario Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative, with others planned for the RBC Community Investment Fund and the Whitchurch-Stouffville Legacy Fund later this summer.

“There has been some strong community interest in this initiative, and we have sponsors ready to support the project,” Rob Braid, Stouffville’s Commissioner of Community Services, said in comments to Bullet Point News. “Cost-neutral is the goal, but if we’re able to realize some positive gains, I think much of that would be reinvested into further securing the success of the farm.”

Additional details on the financial impacts of the proposal are expected Monday in an addendum memo to Council’s May 7 agenda.

“It is built on a five-year business plan, and it’s a good model,” Braid added. “If we can maintain that cost neutrality and, in the same breath, be able to provide some local employment, exposure to agriculture, and collaboration with local schools, I think it’s a tremendous investment.”