An Assessment of the Impact of Rural Non-Farm Development on ...

<strong>Impact</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Rural</strong> <strong>Non</strong>-<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>Development</strong> on <strong>the</strong> Viability <strong>of</strong> Agriculture: Literature Reviewtendency to encourage residential or commercial development ahead <strong>of</strong> agriculture. Asa result, policies are <strong>of</strong>ten developed that favour non-farm residents, <strong>the</strong>reby posingcertain obstacles to agricultural activity (Caldwell, 1998). In this context, planning has arole to play in encouraging local commitment to effective development andimplementation <strong>of</strong> policies which support <strong>the</strong> protection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> agricultural resource andin turn support <strong>the</strong> viability <strong>of</strong> Ontario’s agricultural industry. As Ontario’s population isexpected to grow to 14 million people by 2016, (Agricultural Odyssey Group, 2002,p.76) planning has a critical role in accommodating this growth without urban sprawland in minimizing <strong>the</strong> impact on agriculture.- 35 -