If you’re like our team, you’re ready to shake off the snow and ice from a long winter and start planning a getaway or two this summer. Before you open that new tab for Skyscanner Canada, have you checked out some of the unique adventures that we have in our own backyards?
Family-run farms across Ontario offer something for everyone, from kid-friendly learning activities and pick-your-own activities to bed & breakfasts and wine tastings. We’re lucky to have so many great local farm tourism businesses in Waterloo Region. You can find our team exploring the delicious local produce at Herrle’s Country Farm Market to the pumpkin patch and corn maze at Snyder’s Farm to apple picking at Shuh Orchards.
Promoting and supporting these farms is the mission of Agritourism Ontario. Founded in 1973, the not-for-profit organization provides educational and promotional opportunities. Agritourism Ontario also works with local and provincial leaders to advocate for changes and improvements to legislation that supports the growth of agritourism.
On April 21, we were honoured to attend a reception at Queen’s Park with Agritourism Ontario CEO Kevin Vallier and board chair Melinda McArthur. During the reception, ministers and members of provincial parliament shared how much impact agritourism has across the province.
"58% of Ontarians plan trips around local food or cuisine. 41% say farmers markets are their most memorable food experience,” said Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho. “Agriculture is one in nine Ontario jobs and generates nearly $52 billion — that is bigger than the automotive sector, that is bigger than the steel industry. So what you do in this room matters hugely to the economy of Ontario."
It’s an impressive sector of tourism that supports the economy and creates good jobs — but there’s still so much more room to grow.
That’s why we’re excited to announce the launch of ON Farm Fun, the official app of Agritourism Ontario. We partnered with Kevin, Melinda, and the Agritourism Ontario team to develop the organization's first mobile application to help connect people and farm experiences across the province.
On Farm Fun is a family-friendly guide to over 800 agritourism farms across Ontario. It helps you discover local farms, plan visits, and see what is in season, all in one simple app. The app lets you search based on your interests, availability, and location. Whether you are looking for fresh produce, hands-on experiences, or a relaxing day in the countryside, On Farm Fun makes planning easy. You can also build a personalised itinerary using an in-app chatbot that suggests farms based on what you want to do and when you are available.
Whether it’s rediscovering a childhood favourite or creating a new family tradition, ON Fun Farm is designed to connect you with food and experiences around Ontario.
“Agritourism brought me back to the farm. I left the farm at five years old. Agritourism brought me back. It rekindled that spirit, that interest, that intrigue,” said Ontario Minister of Agriculture Trevor Jones.
Supporting local is a core part of our culture, and we can’t wait to use the app to discover more farm activities around us and in our travels across the province.
Or as board member and Heatherlea Farm owner Melinda McArthur put it, "We believe agritourism has become one of, if not the, hottest trend in tourism in not only Ontario, but we're seeing this worldwide. People are realizing the wonderful opportunities that are right here in our own backyard.
