WILMOT TOWNSHIP, ON — The Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) is pleased to announce the permanent protection of the Mighton Farm through a conservation easement, securing 125 acres (~50 hectares) of productive farmland and ecologically significant natural areas. This milestone brings OFT’s total protected land base to 3,366 acres across 32 properties.
Protected in partnership with landowners Pat and Dennis Mighton, the property will continue to contribute to Ontario’s critical agricultural landscape in perpetuity, while also safeguarding environmental features. The farm remains in active production, supporting a rotation of corn, oats, wheat, barley, and occasionally beans. Its soils include a diverse mix of Class 1 through 4 and Organic Soils, underscoring its long-term agricultural value.
Beyond its agricultural productivity, the Mighton property is rich in ecological assets. The landscape features mature forest, meadow, swamp, and streams, forming an interconnected natural system. A provincially significant swamp wetland spanning approximately 27 acres (11 hectares) plays a vital role in water filtration and flood mitigation. Recognized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, this wetland is part of the broader Grand River Watershed.
“The protection of the Mighton property reflects the powerful role that private landowners play in conserving Ontario’s farmland and natural heritage,” said Martin Straathof, Executive Director. “By choosing to protect their land, the Mightons are ensuring that both food production and biodiversity can continue to thrive together.”
The property’s natural features provide important habitat for a wide range of wildlife. A seasonally wet swamp supports amphibian breeding, while meadow areas containing Common Milkweed and Goldenrod offer essential resources for pollinators, including the Monarch butterfly. Several species at risk have been observed on the property, including Monarch, Butternut, Black Ash, Barn Swallow, and Eastern Wood-Pewee.
A conservation easement ensures that the Mighton Farm will remain protected for generations, even if ownership changes, maintaining its agricultural productivity while conserving its natural features and ecological functions.
“Our government is proud to support the work of the Ontario Farmland Trust alongside dedicated landowners such as Pat and Dennis Mighton, who are taking action to protect Ontario’s natural heritage,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Through our Species Conservation Program, we are not only preserving important landscapes, but we are also actively restoring habitats, supporting species at risk and helping to secure a more resilient future for Ontario.”
As development pressures continue to intensify across Ontario, voluntary farmland protection agreements like this one play a critical role in preserving working landscapes. OFT extends its sincere thanks to Pat and Dennis Mighton for their leadership and dedication to farmland protection. Their property joins a growing network of permanently protected farms that support resilient food systems, vibrant rural communities, and thriving ecosystems across Ontario.
A portion of this project was made possible through the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program, which provides enhanced tax incentives to individuals and corporations who choose to protect ecologically significant land. This project was also made possible through funding from the Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP).
The Ontario government is investing $20 million annually through the Species Conservation Program to help protect species at risk and their habitats across the province. This year’s funding will support high-impact, on-the-ground projects, including 25 community-led conservation projects, protecting a wide range of at-risk species such as Monarch butterflies, Blanding’s turtles and Butternut trees.
Source : Ontario Farmland Trust