Soil Health in Ontario’s Greenbelt
Soil Health
Advancing productivity and resilience through soil health.
The Greenbelt Foundation’s Soil Health program supports farmers and agricultural stakeholders across the Greenbelt in improving soil performance through practical, science-based approaches. By developing regionally relevant soil health benchmarks and providing personalized Soil Health Reports, the program equips farmers with the knowledge and tools to make informed land management decisions.
Working in collaboration with researchers, conservation authorities, and farm organizations, the program promotes the adoption of Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) that enhance soil structure, increase carbon storage, and improve long-term productivity. By advancing a more resilient and climate-smart agricultural system, the Soil Health program strengthens local food production, reduces environmental pressures, and helps ensure that Ontario’s working landscapes continue to thrive for future generations.
Goal: Scaling Adoption of Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs)
Healthy agricultural soils are the foundation of productive farms. They help farmers grow more food, reduce input costs, and manage risks like drought and flooding. Soil health is also key to climate resilience, food security, and long-term sustainability in Ontario’s Greenbelt.
The Greenbelt is home to 750,000 acres of protected prime agricultural land. Though it makes up just 6% of Ontario’s farmland, it accounts for 53% of fruit acreage, 11% of vegetable acreage, and supports 60% of the province’s food processing capacity, contributing over $4 billion to Ontario’s GDP and supporting 58,000 jobs.
That’s why the Greenbelt Foundation is investing in improving soil health by supporting the adoption of Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs), such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, and diversified crop rotations. These practices build soil function, boost biodiversity, store carbon, and create more resilient farming systems.
Approach: From Assessment to Action
We help farmers measure the health of their soils—turning what they see in the field into clear, measurable information. Our goal is to equip producers with the tools and support they need to make informed decisions.
Our program is grounded in three core strategies:
- Establishing Soil Health Benchmarks: We’ve sampled 285 sites across the Greenbelt and developed benchmarks for soil health and carbon based using a suite of soil health indicators.
- Building Farmer Capacity: Participating farmers receive a customized soil health report card and tailored recommendations for adopting BMPs based on their results.
- Supporting Practice Change: We connect farmers to peer networks, trusted advisors, and cost-shared programs that help them implement practices that improve soil health.
Our Impact
Our success comes from our long-standing relationships with farmers, researchers, and policymakers. With a strong track record in research and collaboration, we bring the right partners together to drive meaningful change on the ground. Since launching the program in 2023, we’ve made measurable progress:
- 285 sites sampled across diverse soil types and cropping systems
- Over 5,889 producers engaged through events, webinars, and farm meetings
- 606 producers and agronomists trained in soil health assessment and BMPs
- 259 farms have adopted new BMPs, improving over 28,992 acres
- Estimated 16,088 acres where BMP adoption is planned or underway
Reports & Publications
The Greenbelt Foundation’s current Soil Health program builds on years of strategic investment and research aimed at scaling the adoption of BMPs. The following foundational reports continue to shape our work:
Comparing Soil Health Assessment Frameworks to Strengthen Ontario’s Soil Health Assessment and Plan
In partnership with the Soil Health Institute, this report assesses two soil health assessment frameworks and offers recommendations to improve Ontario’s Soil Health Assessment and Plan.
Regional Soil Health Report
In partnership with the Soil Health Institute, this report demonstrates how BMPs are improving soil health across the region and opportunities for improvement. It found that fields using BMPs had higher scores across all measured soil health indicators.
Power of Soil
In partnership with Équiterre, this national project guided by a multi-sectoral advisory committee examined why and how farmers adopt BMPs. It outlined four key strategies to scale BMP adoption.
Towards a Business Case for Soil Health
In partnership with the University of Guelph, this study analyzed the costs and returns of six BMPs. It found that while many practices can deliver positive returns, outcomes depend on farm context, reinforcing the need for strong knowledge transfer.
Partners
This work is only possible through deep collaboration. Our program is driven by partnerships with:
It is also shaped by three advisory committees with representatives from commodity groups, farm organizations, conservation authorities, extension specialists, and researchers across Ontario.
Core Funders
We gratefully acknowledge the generous support from our funders for the projects and initiatives that make up our soil health program.
Together, their investment powers our research, outreach, and education work, enabling tangible improvements in soil health across the Greenbelt.
The Greenbelt Foundation is a non-partisan independent registered charity. While our Foundation’s Soil Health program receives funding from the Government of Ontario to support stewardship of the Greenbelt, such support does not indicate endorsement by the Government of Ontario of the contents of the program.
Contact
Interested in supporting this work or learning more about the program?
Get in touch with our team using the form below.