On-Farm Diversified Uses and Agriculture-Related Uses

In 2024, the Region of Durham, in partnership with the Townships of Brock, Scugog, and Uxbridge, launched a study to explore ways to support farming and farm-related businesses in North Durham. The Enabling Agriculture-related and On-farm Diversified Uses in North Durham project aims to recommend policies that make it easier for farmers to grow their businesses or introduce new activities on their farms.

The goal is to help farmers thrive while protecting valuable farmland for future generations. This study also looked at how approval processes can be improved to better support local agriculture and rural economic development.

In April 2025, Council for the Township of Brock received the project recommendations and directed staff to implement the recommended policy approach, while continuing to work with the Region and North Durham municipalities to support the agricultural community and rural economy in North Durham.

What are On-farm Diversified Uses and Agriculture-Related Uses?

On-Farm Diversified Uses:

On-farm diversified uses are secondary to the principal agricultural use of the property and are limited in area. On-farm diversified uses include, but are not limited to, home occupations, home industries, agri-tourism uses, uses that produce value-added agricultural products, and electricity generation facilities and transmission systems.

A use may be permitted as an On-Farm Diversified Use if it meets the following criteria:

The use is located on a farm; 
The use is secondary to the principal agricultural use of the property; 
The use is limited in area; 
The use may include home occupations, home industries, agri-tourism, and value-added uses; and 
The use is compatible with, and does not hinder, surrounding agricultural operations.

Agriculture-Related Uses:

Agriculture-related uses are farm-related commercial and farm-related industrial uses that are directly related to farm operations in the area, support agriculture, benefit from being in close proximity to farm operations, and provide direct products and/or services to farm operations.

A use may be permitted as an Agriculture-Related Use if it meets the following criteria:

The use is a farm-related commercial or farm-related industrial use;
The use is directly related to farm operations in the area;
The use supports agriculture;
The use provides direct products and/or services to farm operations as a primary activity;
The use benefits from being in close proximity to farm operations; and
The use is compatible with, and does not hinder, surrounding agricultural operations.

Proposed Amendments

The Township is updating its Official Plan and Zoning By-law to implement the recommended policy approach. The proposed amendments apply to all lands in the Township of Brock. Click on the links below to check out the proposed policies for the Township of Brock:

Draft Official Plan Amendment
Draft Zoning By-law Amendment

Public Meeting

The Township of Brock will hold a Statutory Public Meeting to provide interested parties with the opportunity to learn more about the proposed amendments and to make comments on the proposed amendments before any decisions are made. The Statutory Public Meeting will be held on:

Monday, October 27, 2025, at 6:00 PM

Township of Brock Municipal Office (1 Cameron St E, Cannington)

Residents can participate in person or electronically.

This meeting will be a hybrid meeting where people can attend in person in the Council Chambers at the Township offices at 1 Cameron St. E in Cannington or join the meeting electronically. Should you wish to participate electronically and speak during the meeting to provide comments, please register with the Clerk’s Department in advance of the meeting by emailing clerks@brock.ca. Once your request to speak is confirmed, you will be sent a virtual meeting link. A call-in number may also be made available.

To watch the livestream or video recording of the meeting, click on the Council meeting on October 27, 2025, and select the HTML version of the agenda to follow along with the agenda and video recording at the same time. Please note that the livestream video will not be available until just before the meeting starts at 6:00 pm.

Comments or Questions:

Any person may attend the public meeting and/or make written or oral comments on the proposed amendments.

Should you have any questions about how to participate in the Statutory Public Meeting, please email clerks@brock.ca or call 705-432-2355 and request the clerk’s department.

Written comments or questions can also be provided before or after the meeting to the Township. For more information or to be notified of Council's future decision, please contact:

Robin Prentice, Director of Development Services
Township of Brock
1 Cameron Street East, Cannington, ON L0E 1E0
705-432-2355 ext.235 or Robin.Prentice@brock.ca

The proposed amendments are available to the public for inspection at the Township of Brock Municipal Office during regular business hours - 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

To Be Notified of the Decision: If you wish to be notified of the decision of the Township of Brock on the proposed Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment, you must make a written request to the Township at planning@brock.ca.

Additional Information:

For more information, please refer to the Region of Durham's Project Webpage using the link below:
Enabling Agriculture-Related and On-Farm Diversified Uses in North Durham | Your Durham

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has authored Guidelines on Permitted Uses in Ontario’s Prime Agricultural Areas (Publication 851)(External link), which can be accessed through the link on this webpage.

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act: Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All comments will become part of the public record except for personal information.