Norfolk County promotes itself as Ontario’s Garden and has every right to do so. Analysis of Statistics Canada’s 2016 Census of Agriculture confirms that our farmers are stars in the world of agriculture not only on the provincial stage, but the national one, too.
There are 1,860 farm operators working 1,307 farms in Norfolk County, with total land in crops of 196,403 acres. Average age of a farm operator in Norfolk County was 55.7 years in 2016.
Norfolk County farmers are Canada’s leading growers of asparagus, tart cherries, ginseng, peppers, pumpkins, squash and zucchini, and other vegetables, compared to other census subdivisions.
Norfolk County farmers are Ontario’s Number One growers of asparagus, cabbage, tart cherries, ginseng, peppers, pumpkins, rye, squash and zucchini, strawberries, and other vegetables.
Our farmers are among Ontario’s top growers of several other crops: sweet corn, apples, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, green and wax beans, carrots, raspberries and lettuce.
Since 2011, there have been increased plantings of asparagus, ginseng, green and wax beans, green peas, mixed grains, oats, peppers, pumpkins, rye, squash and zucchini. Plantings of cabbage, carrots, corn for grain, onions, pears, raspberries, soybeans, strawberries, sweet corn and wheat decreased in acreage size.
Livestock makes up an important part of Norfolk County agriculture. Farmers housed more pigs, cattle and calves, goats, sheep and lambs in this Census, while the number of horses and rabbits declined. The number of honeybee colonies increased.
Norfolk County has the highest number of employees on its farms (7,619), compared to any other census subdivision in Canada. Our farmers employ the highest number of seasonal or temporary workers (6,493).
Total farm capital, including land, buildings, livestock and machinery, in Norfolk County was valued at approximately $3.3 billion in 2016, up 57% compared to five years ago. By acre, Norfolk County had the second highest total farm capital value in Ontario.
Norfolk County farmers received more than $519 million in total gross farm receipts in the year prior to the census. In Ontario, Norfolk County has the highest number of farms reporting gross farm receipts over $2 million.
Innovation comes naturally to Norfolk County and our agriculture sector leads the way with technology. Acre per acre, our farmers use the most computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, GPS technology and GIS mapping compared to anywhere else in Canada.
Farms and Operators
There are 1,860 farm operators working 1,307 farms in Norfolk County, with total land in crops of 196,403 acres (see Chart 1). The male/female split is about 60%/40%.
The average age of a farm operator in Norfolk County was 55.7 years in 2016, compared to 54.8 in 2011. Ontario-wide, the average age was 55.3 in 2016, up from 54.5 in 2011.
Employment
Our farms employ 7,619 workers – including 6,493 seasonal or temporary staff.
There are 812 full-time year-round employees in Norfolk County’s agriculture sector, plus 314 part-time year-round workers.
- Leader in Canada:
- #1 for Total Number of Employees
- #1 for Number of Seasonal or Temporary Workers
- #2 for Employees that were family members
- Leader in Ontario
- #1 for Employees that were family members
| Chart 1: Farms, Operators, Workers - Norfolk County | Norfolk Farms (2016) | Norfolk Farms (2011) | % Change Farms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Farms | 1307 | 1322 | -0.01 |
| Number of Operators | 1860 | 1980 | -0.06 |
| Total Number of Employees | 7619 | 6505 | 0.17 |
| Paid Work / Seasonal or Temporary | 6493 | 5630 | 0.15 |
| Paid work on Year-Round Basis (Full Time) | 812 | * | |
| Paid work on Year-Round Basis (Part Time) | 314 | * | |
| Employees that were Family Members | 790 | * | |
| Average Age of Farm Operators (Years) | 55.7 | 54.8 | 0.9 |
| * = not recorded |
Farm Capital Value, Gross Receipts and Expenditures
Total farm capital, including land, buildings, livestock and machinery, in Norfolk County was valued at approximately $3.3 billion, up 57%. By acre, Norfolk County has the second highest total farm capital value in Ontario.
On average, farm capital per farm is $2.524 in Norfolk County. Across Ontario, farm capital per farm averages $2.537 million. (See Chart 2.)
| Chart 2: Farm Capital – Norfolk County | 2016 | 2011 | % Change | Per Farm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total farm capital market value | $3,299,429,250 | $2,107,496,508 | 0.57 | $ 2,524,429 |
| Total value of land and buildings | $2,932,934,542 | $1,826,183,275 | 0.61 | $ 2,244,020 |
| Value of all farm machinery and equipment | $337,751,856 | $262,835,937 | 0.29 | $ 258,418 |
| Value of livestock and poultry | $28,742,852 | $18,477,296 | 0.56 | $ 21,991 |
Average value per farm for land and buildings was $2.244 million in Norfolk County, compared to $2.277 million per farm across the province. Farm machinery and equipment was valued at $258,418 per farm in Norfolk County on average, $183,500 on average across the province. Livestock per Norfolk County farm was valued at about $22,000. Across Ontario, the comparable number was about $136,000.
Norfolk County farmers received more than $519 million in in total gross farm receipts in the year prior to the census, up 43% compared to 2011.
Total annual farm operating expenses surpassed $477 million, up 35%.
Norfolk County is home to the most farms in Ontario reporting incomes of over $2 million (62 farms, up 55%).
- Leader in Canada:
- #4 for Number of Farms reporting Gross Farm Receipts over $2 million
- #5 for Number of Farms reporting Gross Farm Receipts $1m-1.9m
- #7 for Total Gross Farm Receipts
- Leader in Ontario
- #1 for Number of Farms reporting Gross Farm Receipts over $2 million
- #2 for Number of Farms reporting Gross Farm Receipts $1m-1.9m
- #2 for Total Farm Capital per Acre of Land in Crops
- #2 for Total Farm Business Operation Expenses
- #3 for Total Gross Farm Receipts
The number of farms increased for those reporting annual gross farm receipts of $500,000 or more, as well as for farms reporting $10,000 to $24,000. Others decreased. Overall, Norfolk County’s gross farm receipts ranked #2 in Ontario and #7 in Canada (see Chart 3).
| Chart 3: Agriculture Total Farm Gross Receipts - Norfolk County | Norfolk Farms (2016) | Norfolk Farms (2011) | % Change Farms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $2m+ | 62 | 40 | 0.55 |
| Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $1m – $1.9m | 68 | 55 | 0.24 |
| Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $500k-$999k | 116 | 76 | 0.53 |
| Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $250k-$499 | 125 | 153 | -0.18 |
| Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $100k-$249 | 206 | 219 | -0.06 |
| Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $50k-$99k | 170 | 177 | -0.04 |
| Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $25k-$49k | 152 | 175 | -0.13 |
| Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $10k-$24k | 227 | 204 | 0.11 |
| Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts under $10k | 181 | 223 | -0.19 |
Crops
From an acreage standpoint, the fields of Norfolk County are dominated by a diverse collection of crops: soybeans, corn for grain, rye, vegetables, wheat, alfalfa and hay, ginseng and fruit (see Chart 4).
- Leader in Canada:
- #1 growers of asparagus, tart cherries, ginseng, peppers, pumpkins, and other vegetables.
- Leader in Ontario
- #1 growers of asparagus, cabbage, tart cherries, ginseng, peppers, pumpkins, rye, squash and zucchini, strawberries, and other vegetables.
Norfolk County is among Ontario’s leading farming regions growing several other crops: sweet corn, apples, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, green and wax beans, carrots, raspberries and lettuce.
Planting of asparagus, ginseng, green and wax beans, green peas, mixed grains, oats, peppers, pumpkins, rye, squash and zucchini increased in acreage size.
Planting of cabbage, carrots, corn for grain, onions, pears, raspberries, soybeans, strawberries, sweet corn and wheat decreased in acreage size.
The majority of Norfolk County’s total greenhouse area was made up of greenhouse flowers. Sales of forest products were $546,078, up 39%.
There are few details in the Census about tobacco production, except that the number of tobacco farms in 2016 was 98, up 56%.
The number of farms in Norfolk County reporting production of organics was 24, up 26%. Tapping of maple trees also increased.
Commodities such as sweet potatoes, tobacco, lavender and popping corn are not mentioned in the Census of Agriculture. They are likely cluster under other categories. However, anecdotally, our farmers are leaders in those crops as well.
While the Province of Ontario reports a significant increase in oilseed and grain farms across the province in 2016 compared to 2011, this trend was not observed in Norfolk County. There were significantly fewer farms and fewer acres of oilseeds and grains here.
Analysis of Ontario-wide data demonstrates that acreage in vegetables slightly increased while potato and fruit areas slightly decreased. In Norfolk County, vegetable and fruit areas slightly increased and potato areas decreased.
Across Ontario, greenhouse area increased. In Norfolk County, greenhouse area declined by 10% in total, although greenhouse flower area increased slightly.
Ontario-wide, certified organic farms represented 1.3% of all farms in the province in 2016. In Norfolk County, they represent 1.8% of all farms.
| Chart 4: Crops - Norfolk County | Acres (2016) | Acres (2011) | % Change Acres | Farms (2016) | Farms (2011) | % Change Farms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfalfa | 5480 | 5369 | 0.02 | 165 | 173 | -0.05 |
| All Tame Hay/Fodder | 2891 | 2299 | 0.26 | 89 | 77 | 0.16 |
| Apples | 2338 | 2225 | 0.05 | 34 | 39 | -0.13 |
| Apricots | x | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Asparagus (non-producing) | 441 | 201 | 1.19 | 23 | 19 | 0.21 |
| Asparagus (producing) | 1784 | x | 43 | 45 | -0.04 | |
| Barley | 250 | x | 4 | 1 | 3 | |
| Beets | 7 | x | 17 | 16 | 0.06 | |
| Blueberries | x | 113 | 15 | 16 | -0.06 | |
| Broccoli | x | 40 | 16 | 14 | 0.14 | |
| Brussels Sprouts | 2 | x | 11 | 4 | 1.75 | |
| Cabbage | 823 | 1167 | -0.29 | 23 | 28 | -0.18 |
| Canola | x | x | 2 | 1 | ||
| Carrots | 335 | 518 | -0.35 | 19 | 15 | 0.27 |
| Cauliflower | 6 | 68 | -0.91 | 14 | 13 | 0.08 |
| Cherries (Sour) “Tart” | 1138 | x | 8 | 6 | 0.33 | |
| Cherries (Sweet) | x | 18 | 9 | 5 | ||
| Chinese cabbage | x | 182 | 9 | 9 | 0 | |
| Christmas Trees | 200 | 213 | -0.06 | 23 | 20 | 0.15 |
| Corn for Grain | 51608 | 65350 | -0.21 | 404 | 462 | -0.13 |
| Corn for Silage | 1688 | 1922 | -0.12 | 39 | 50 | -0.22 |
| Cucumbers | 1046 | 1081 | -0.03 | 61 | 80 | -0.24 |
| Dry Beans (Other) | 199 | x | 4 | 5 | -0.2 | |
| Dry White Beans | x | x | 2 | 1 | ||
| Flaxseed | x | x | 2 | 1 | ||
| Fruits, berries, nuts (All) | 4279 | 4187 | 0.02 | 99 | 111 | -0.11 |
| Fruits, berries, nuts, Other | 49 | 79 | -0.38 | 13 | 18 | -0.28 |
| Ginseng | 6368 | 4440 | 0.43 | 103 | 97 | 0.06 |
| Grapes | x | 71 | 14 | 17 | -0.18 | |
| Green and wax beans | 505 | 161 | 2.14 | 27 | 24 | 0.13 |
| Green Peas | 263 | 115 | 1.29 | 23 | 18 | 0.28 |
| Greenhouse Total (sq.ft.) | 5255540 | 5859040 | -0.1 | 79 | 84 | -0.06 |
| Greenhouse Flowers (sq.ft.) | 3741810 | 3574567 | 0.05 | 39 | 40 | -0.03 |
| Greenhouse Other (sq.ft.) | x | x | 24 | 29 | -0.17 | |
| Greenhouse Veg. (sq.ft.) | x | x | 25 | 28 | -0.11 | |
| Lettuce | 26 | x | 13 | 8 | 0.63 | |
| Maple Taps (count) | 5814 | 5116 | 0.14 | 27 | 16 | 0.69 |
| Mixed Grains | 317 | 269 | 0.18 | 11 | 6 | 0.83 |
| Mushrooms (sq.ft.) | 38947 | x | 5 | 3 | 0.67 | |
| Mustard Seed | 206 | 219 | -0.06 | 6 | 9 | -0.33 |
| Nursery | x | 1002 | 38 | 47 | -0.19 | |
| Oats | 768 | 317 | 1.42 | 37 | 20 | 0.85 |
| Onions, Dry | 10 | 53 | -0.81 | 16 | 18 | -0.11 |
| Organic Products | * | * | 24 | 19 | 0.26 | |
| Peaches | x | x | 9 | 8 | 0.13 | |
| Pears | 27 | 41 | -0.34 | 13 | 14 | -0.07 |
| Peppers | 1423 | 1109 | 0.28 | 61 | 58 | 0.05 |
| Potatoes | 2619 | 2691 | -0.03 | 38 | 49 | -0.22 |
| Pumpkins | 1493 | 852 | 0.75 | 45 | 43 | 0.05 |
| Raspberries | 30 | 41 | -0.27 | 11 | 18 | -0.39 |
| Rye (Total) | 25680 | 17489 | 0.47 | 305 | 256 | 0.19 |
| Sod | x | x | 2 | 4 | -0.5 | |
| Soybeans | 56781 | 66658 | -0.15 | 513 | 600 | -0.15 |
| Spinach | 3 | x | 10 | 8 | 0.25 | |
| Squash and Zucchini | 1166 | 943 | 0.24 | 63 | 63 | 0 |
| Strawberries | 362 | 465 | -0.22 | 29 | 35 | -0.17 |
| Sunflowers | x | x | 5 | 1 | 4 | |
| Sweet Corn | 3578 | 4530 | -0.21 | 32 | 46 | -0.3 |
| Tobacco | 98 | 63 | 0.56 | |||
| Tomatoes | 1066 | 1058 | 0.01 | 59 | 61 | -0.03 |
| Vegetables (All) | 17328 | 16706 | 0.04 | 190 | 217 | -0.12 |
| Vegetables, Other | 2872 | 2694 | 0.07 | 69 | 62 | 0.11 |
| Wheat (All) | 8572 | 12835 | -0.33 | 130 | 171 | -0.24 |
Livestock
Livestock is an important part of Norfolk County agriculture, including chicken, turkey, pigs, cattle, goats and sheep. (See Chart 5.)
- Leader in Ontario
- #5 for Number of Farms reporting Poultry & Egg Production
Farmers housed more pigs, cattle and calves, goats, sheep and lambs in this Census, while the number of horses, rabbits, llamas and alpacas decreased. The number of honeybee colonies increased.
Ontario-wide data reports the number of livestock and poultry on farms increased over the past five years. Norfolk County is mirroring this trend.
| Chart 5: Livestock - Norfolk County | Count (2016) | Count (2011) | % Change Count | Farms (2016) | Farms (2011) | % Change Farms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cattle & Calves | 5731 | 5392 | 0.06 | 134 | 147 | -0.09 |
| Sheep & Lambs | 2411 | 1821 | 0.32 | 36 | 30 | 0.2 |
| Pigs | 64909 | 57561 | 0.13 | 32 | 23 | 0.39 |
| Horses | 648 | 895 | -0.28 | 116 | 136 | -0.15 |
| Goats | 2533 | 1771 | 0.43 | 28 | 26 | 0.08 |
| Llamas and Alpacas | 20 | 38 | -0.47 | 4 | 3 | 0.33 |
| Rabbits | 271 | 580 | -0.53 | 13 | 17 | -0.24 |
| Bison (buffalo) | – | – | 0 | 0 | ||
| Elk (wapiti) | x | x | 2 | 3 | -0.33 | |
| Deer (excluding wild deer) | x | 33 | 1 | 4 | -0.75 | |
| Mink | x | x | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Poultry Inventory | 1381968 | 845031 | 0.64 | 147 | 104 | 0.41 |
| Chicken Prod. Yr Prior (kg) | 15155998 | 12297859 | 0.23 | 40 | 37 | 0.08 |
| Turkey Prod. Yr Prior (kg) | 1496352 | x | 8 | 7 | 0.14 | |
| Egg Prod. Yr Prior (dozens) | x | x | 44 | 31 | 0.42 | |
| Colonies of Honeybees | 4189 | 3180 | 0.32 | 36 | 23 | 0.57 |
Innovation
Innovation comes naturally to Norfolk County and our agriculture sector leads the way with technology. Acre per acre, our farmers use the most computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, GPS technology and GIS mapping compared to anywhere else in Canada.
In terms of technology use, 41% of Norfolk County farms use smart phones and tablets, 58% use computers and laptops, 34% use GPS technology, 18% use GIS mapping, and 17% use automated steering technology.
- Leader in Canada
- Norfolk County farmers use the most computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, GPS technology and GIS mapping compared to anywhere else in Canada, on a per-acre basis.
Renewable energy production including solar panels and wind turbines was also recorded on 104 farms, placing Norfolk County among the top five similar communities in Canada.
Succession Planning
In Norfolk County, 148 farms reported having a written succession plan for the operation, ranked second in Ontario, and third in Canada for total number of farms with a written succession plan.
Farm Gate Sales & CSAs
The Census reported 126 farms reporting farm gate sales, stands and kiosks, and 16 farms selling value-added products. Six farms reported using Community Supported Agriculture to market their products.
Irrigation & Inputs
In Norfolk County, the number of farms irrigating increased by 29% and total area irrigated increased by 45%. Across Ontario, the number of farms using irrigation increased by 25% and the total area irrigated increased by 16% over five years.
In terms of inputs, Norfolk County is a study in contrast compared to the rest of Ontario.
Use of commercial fertilizer declined by 7% in Norfolk County. Across Ontario, the total area using commercial fertilizer increased by 8%.
Herbicide use decreased in Norfolk County by 8%. Across Ontario, use of herbicides increased by 6%.
Insecticide use increased by 31% in Norfolk County. Across Ontario, insecticide use ballooned by 124%.
Use of lime remained about the same. The use of solid or composted manure, incorporated into the soil, increased, as did liquid manure not incorporated. (See Chart 6.)
| Chart 6: Irrigation & Inputs - Norfolk County | Acres (2016) | Acres (2011) | % Change Acres | Farms (2016) | Farms (2011) | % Change Farms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land under Irrigation | 32203 | 22236 | 0.45 | 354 | 275 | 0.29 |
| Herbicide Use | 159522 | 174282 | -0.08 | 845 | 844 | 0 |
| Insecticide Use | 94445 | 71945 | 0.31 | 516 | 421 | 0.23 |
| Fungicide Use | 61913 | 45448 | 0.36 | 385 | 336 | 0.15 |
| Commercial Fertilizer | 157937 | 169493 | -0.07 | 896 | 890 | 0.01 |
| Lime | 27522 | 27574 | 0 | 240 | 259 | -0.07 |
| Trace Minerals & Nutrients | 50297 | 262 | ||||
| Manure, solid/compost, incorp. | 13548 | 11814 | 0.15 | 270 | 212 | 0.27 |
| Manure, solid/compost, not incorp. | 1901 | 2412 | -0.21 | 70 | 60 | 0.17 |
| Liquid Manure, inject/incorp. | 2598 | 3079 | -0.16 | 31 | 28 | 0.11 |
| Liquid Manure, not incorp. | 1754 | 1023 | 0.71 | 19 | 11 | 0.73 |
No-Till Practices
Areas under no-till practices in Norfolk County declined by 40%. Across the province, there were about 3% less areas under no-till.
Windbreaks
There were 620 farms in Norfolk County reporting windbreaks and shelterbelts in 2016, up 12% over five years. Norfolk County is among the top five communities across Canada reporting windbreaks. Other regions with respect to this issue have increased their windbreaks and shelterbelts by 15% to 28%. Across Ontario, farms reporting windbreaks increased by 18%.
Non-Farm Work
Most farm operators (57%) in Norfolk County report no paid non-farm work, down 3%. About 16% report more than 40 hours per week of paid non-farm work, down 20%. About 14% report 30 to 40 hours per week of non-farm work, up 6%. Another 6% report working 20 to 29 hours per week off the farm, down 4%, and 7% report working less than 20 hours per week off the farm, down 13%.
Across Ontario, 54% of farmers report no paid non-farm work, up slightly. About 18.5% report more than 40 hours, down slightly.
Tenure
In terms of tenure, most land is owned by the farm operator: 177,554 acres, down 8%. Area rented or leased from others was 85,228 acres, down 8%. Area crop-shared from others was 4,840 acres, down 19%. Area of land used by others was 24,284, down 13%; area leased from governments was 2,109 acres, up 100%; and land area used through other agreement was 2,155 acres, down 12%.
Farmland Uses
While the total number of acres of land in crops and summerfallow increased, land in pasture, woodlands and wetlands, Christmas trees, and all other land decreased. (See Chart 7.)
| Chart 7: Types of Use for Farmland - Norfolk County | Norfolk Acres (2016) | Norfolk Acres (2011) | % Change Acres | Norfolk Farms (2016) | Norfolk Farms (2011) | % Change Farms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Land in Crops | 196,403 | 210371 | -0.07 | 1,184 | 1205 | -0.02 |
| Summerfallow land | 1,138 | 885 | 0.29 | 48 | 44 | 0.09 |
| Tame or seeded pasture | 3,019 | 3484 | -0.13 | 1,138 | 885 | 0.29 |
| Natural land for pasture | 3,210 | 4180 | -0.23 | 177 | 183 | -0.03 |
| Woodlands and wetlands | 30,830 | 33390 | -0.08 | 770 | 818 | -0.06 |
| Area in Christmas trees, woodlands and wetlands | 31,030 | 33603 | -0.08 | 774 | 821 | -0.06 |
| All other land | 12,802 | 13663 | -0.06 | 859 | 989 | -0.13 |
Acknowledgements
Data for this report was extracted from CANSIM tables provided by Statistics Canada and analyzed by Norfolk County staff. Provincial data was provided by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Report cover and infographic design by Tracy Haskett, Norfolk County.
