Although Muskoka is best known for its pristine lakes, rocks and forest lands, over 200 farms can be found, nestled in pockets of productive soil, scattered across the district. These farms  offer another facet to Muskoka’s  charms. Muskoka farmers have developed a wide variety of  enterprises; ranging from special breeds of horses, cattle, sheep and poultry, to cranberries, fruits, vegetables and maple syrup. The list includes farm visits and Bed and Breakfast vacations.

Muskoka  farms provide  many benefits:

• Sustaining rural communities – many rural communities in Muskoka  were built around agricultural activities. Maintaining active and productive agriculture in these communities helps sustain their integrity and traditions.
• Economic importance - $5 million in annual sales results in an economic impact  of about $15 million to Muskoka.
• High quality products -  Muskoka farm products have gained a reputation for excellent quality due to relative isolation of Muskoka farms, cooler temperatures coupled with careful management by Muskoka farmers. Muskoka farms use less chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• Enhancing biodiversity -   Sufficient open farmland must be maintained  along with other landscape features such as  forest and wetlands, in order to maintain  habitat richness. For example,  many  beneficial soil organisms require cultivated soils;  milkweeds found in field margins are essential for monarch butterflies; and deer prefer to feed on mixed legume/grasslands close to forest cover. Open farmland  has now  declined to only 4% of Muskoka’s land area. Further decline  will reduce our biodiversity.
• Safeguarding Muskoka’s waters, soils and air - Muskoka’s farmers are actively developing and implementing  Environmental  Farm Plans. These plans insure that farms  are not sources of pollution.