Agriculture

Stratford is located in Perth County, Ontario's richest agricultural region and one of the most agriculturally productive counties in all of Ontario. Stratford is also well served by surrounding food commodity processors and, therefore, attractive to food processing businesses.

Competitive Advantages

• Stratford and Perth County's agri-food sector generates 1.5 to 2 million dollars a day - more than six of Canada's ten provinces
• Perth County is known for mixed farming, dairying and hog production
• 2,438 census farms and 498,159 acres of farmland
• Farm cash receipts for main commodities bring in $558.5 million (2006).
• Dairy receipts total $159 million (2006).
• Pork producers are second highest in farm receipts with $142.7 million (2006).
• Asparagus in the spring, strawberries in July, and sweet local preserves, heritage breads and cheeses year round are attractive to our many restaurants and inns
• The Stratford Garlic Festival and local restaurants attract thousands of visitors annually
• Buy local (within 100 km) campaigns in Ontario are strengthening our economy by encouraging residents and businesses to buy locally produced food