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Understanding the Agricultural Systems that Support Farm Viability and Rural Prosperity
Wayne Caldwell, PhD, RPP, FCIP
Professor Emeritus, Rural Planning and Development, University of Guelph
The project utilized detailed case studies of seven farm operations representing a range of commodities, scales, and business models across Ontario’s Greenbelt.
Through interviews with farmers and analysis of their business relationships, the research documented the extensive economic networks that support modern agriculture.

The findings demonstrate that successful farming depends on much more than land alone. Farms rely on suppliers, processors, transportation providers, financial institutions, service businesses, labour, consumers, and local communities.
The study helped strengthen understanding of agricultural systems planning and the importance of considering agriculture as an interconnected economic network.