A conservation easement has been granted on a Caledon property that will keep it as farmland in perpetuity.

The unusual arrangement between Deirdre Wright and the Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) was announced last Thursday at the Belain Farm on Shaws Creek Road.

This land securement project is the first one completed by OFT, a notfor profit organization that promotes the preservation of farmland in the province.

The Benlain Farm site has been a working farm for more than 30 years. Consisting of 97 acres, it includes 40 acres of leased agricultural land, which has been used to grow corn, soy beans and wheat. As well, 11 acres are used to graze horses, and 22 acres have mature hardwood forest and some provincially significant wetlands.

"This is a very special event," commented OFT chair Dr. Stew Hilts. Pointing out that the property is surrounded by aggregate pits and resources, he observed that land values too often determine land uses.

"It's a breakthrough for us in protecting farmland," he declared. "We have to find ways to learn to protect the farmland here if we're going to have that good farmland in the future."

Bob Baker, of Baker Forestry Services, called the property an "Oasis in the middle of all these aggregate issues."

"I just want to say 'thank you," declared Dufferin - Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones. "What an incredible gift!"

She added that it was particularly impressive, considering the development pressures in the area.

The property is also part of the provincial Greenbelt. Shelley Petrie, program director of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, stressed the importance of keeping land in agricultural production.

"We need a critical mass of farming in the Greenbelt," she declared, adding that a lot of businesses that support farmers have been disappearing, making things difficult for people in the industry. Contributions like this one sent out a powerful message about people who wanted to stay in farming.

Patricia Short-Galle, president of the board of the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust (ORMLT), expressed thanks to both Ms. Wright and her family. She stressed how important it is for families to be involved when these easements are being discussed. "It really does affect the whole family."

Noting that ORMLT already has many easements, she congratulated OFT on their first. "I wish you many more," she said.

"This is an incredible donation," declared Rae Horst, CAO of Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), as she also referred to the substantial aggregate deposits in the area. "We are very excited that she has chosen to do this."

She also stressed the importance of conservation and agriculture, especially in the face of climate change, etc.

"It's so important that we keep our farmland," Ms. Wright declared. "It's so disastrous to see it being eaten up by aggregate and all those houses."

She said she had heard about OFT and then made inquiries of CVC. "I felt so strongly about keeping land around here rural," she said.

"Ontario is indebted to individuals like Deirdre Wright, whose concern for what the landscape will look like in the future has translated into action, commented Bruce Mackenzie, executive director of OFT. "Mrs. Wright's foresight and generosity will ensure that farmland and greenspace are protected in perpetuity. Good news for agriculture and the environment."

The conservation agreement between Ms. Wright and OFT ensures the land will continue to be available for agriculture. CVC will be assisting with future stewardship and monitoring of the property. It also drew up the original conservation plan for the farm.