The signs have been installed along popular hiking trails in the Greenbelt – an area of permanently protected farmland, forests, wetlands and greenspace in southern Ontario – as a way of showcasing the many environmental advancements made by farmers.

“Farmers are proud of their efforts to protect our air, soil and water, ” said Jackie Fraser, Executive Director of AGCare, the group leading this initiative, at the unveiling this morning. “This includes everything from general environmental planning on farms, to specific achievements in greenhouse gas reduction and reduced energy use.”

Greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by the equivalent of taking 125,000 cars off the road through improved soil conservation measures. Farmers have spent at least $600 million on environmental improvements and 300,000 days in environmental training. Over 70% of them have voluntarily participated in the Environmental Farm Plan program.

The Agriculture Hits the Trails project was designed to share this information with trail users within the Greenbelt. Many hiking trails within Ontario’s Greenbelt are located on or near farmland, allowing trail users the opportunity to see farmers’ commitment to the environment first-hand.

Partnering with AGCare (Agricultural Groups Concerned About Resources and the Environment) on this project are the Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC), and the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, as well as conservation partners including Conservation Ontario, Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), Conservation Halton, Hamilton Conservation Authority, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA), the Bruce Trail Association, and the Oak Ridges Trail Association.

More information about the project can be found on www.caringfortheland.com.