Agriculture
The Township of Wainfleet has a thriving agricultural community and agricultural production continues to be a solid pillar of Wainfleet's economy. Some aspects of farming may affect you as there might be:
- Noise from the operation of farm machinery, planting or harvesting activities, livestock being moved, bird scaring devices, truck movements in the early or late hours and livestock noise at weaning time;
- Smell from animal enclosures, manure piles or lagoons and manure spreading;
- Dust from cultivation, planting and harvesting activities and vehicles on dirt or gravel roads and driveways.
Normal Farm Practices |
Normal farm practices are activities that happen on the farm as part of the day-to-day business. Some of these activities create disturbances, such as noise, odour, dust, flies, smoke, light and vibration. Farm activities and disturbances that are considered normal farm practices are allowed to happen on a farm. The Farming and Food Production Protection Act was established in 1998 and oversees farming activities and promotes normal farm practices. The Act also established the Normal Farm Practices Protection Board which has a conflict resolution process to help farmers and their neighbours solve conflicts and disagreements. More information regarding the Act and the Board can be found on the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs website. |
Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) |
The Province has developed the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) Formulae and Guidelines to minimize conflicts between livestock operations and sensitive land uses (such as residential). When a new livestock facility or a new dwelling is proposed, the structures must meet the setback requirements under the MDS guidelines. For more information regarding MDS please visit the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) page. |
Surplus Farm Dwellings |
There are some opportunities for bona fide farmers to sever a dwelling from a farm parcel. For more information about surplus farm dwellings and the eligibility criteria, please visit the Surplus Farm Dwellings page. |
Municipal Drains |
As a rural, agricultural-based community, the Township of Wainfleet has a large system of municipal drains that provide the drainage infrastructure necessary to support crop production, protect land values and provide flood control. For more information regarding municipal drains please visit the Drainage page. |
Farmer's Market |
The Wainfleet Meridian Credit Union, with the support of the Township of Wainfleet, has established a Wainfleet farmer's market for local farmers and vendors to sell their products. The farmer's market is held on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June to September in the pavilion behind the Wainfleet arena. More information about the farmer's market, including contact information, can be found on the Wainfleet Farmers & Vendors Market Facebook page. |
Farming Resources |