Agriculture
A farmer in Wainfleet, Ontario, c.1905
The Niagara region provides substantial contributions to agricultural production in Ontario. Yet, it poses value to far more than just external markets; agriculture is inherently part of what makes Niagara what it is today. Greenhouse growers, migrant workers, peach festivals, tractor pulls, grape and wine events, market gardens, plant nurseries and more all impact the peninsula’s internal culture as we structure elements of recreation, leisure, and employment around this industry. So, how did it come to be this way?
The following papers will explain what this development looked like and what foundations were laid to allow farmers, growers, vendors and supporting industry stakeholders to evolve and succeed in the present. Although this paper is structured chronologically, relative to specific sub-categories of agriculture such as land use, field crops, livestock, fruit-growing and plant nurseries, these groups are each impacted by many of the same themes. These themes include topics such as international trade policies, government legislation, technological advancements, population shifts and market trends, all of which have affected development within the region’s agricultural sector.
These external factors influenced economic development just as much as the environmental factors that exist as part of Niagara’s unique geography. Climatic differences between the townships above and below the escarpment, variations in soil type and drainage levels, the presence of two Great Lakes and various streams and rivers, along with other environmental determinants, have steered the commercial choices made by stewards of this land for thousands of years. Thus, the agricultural sector in Niagara developed relative to a range of both human and environmental characteristics.
Below are the full working papers on our agricultural history and short vignettes highlighting specific stories within the theme. Click on each to read or download the full work.
Vignettes
During the research process, the team came upon short, revealing stories within the themes that merit some extra attention. Niagara's history is so rich, it was difficult to delve into just a few. These vignettes add to the depth of this project.
Agriculture has been a fruitful topic for vignettes. There are nine short stories to tell.
- The role of the Haudenosaunee people on Niagara farms
- Richard Pierpoint and early Black farmers petitioning for land in Niagara
- The Pelham Township Agricultural Society Fair
- Morris, Stone & Wellington Nurseries in Fonthill
- The Horticultural Experiment Station / Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
- Stokes Seeds
- Growers’ Cold Storage and Ice Plant in Grimsby
- Niagara Parks' School of Horticulture
- Grimsby Agricultural Works and Innovations of the Late 1800s
Videos
These summary videos provide these important stories in a brief and illustrated format. We hope you enjoy them.