Beyond the Basket: How Farmers’ Markets Support Biodiversity

​Agrobiodiversity is the foundation of our global food systems. This includes various plants, animals, and microorganisms used for food and agriculture. There are different types of biodiversity: ecosystem diversity (among environments), species diversity (among species), and genetic diversity (within species). Agricultural biodiversity is not just important to our global food security. It also enables nutritionally balanced diets, supports pollination and soil fertility, and provides resilience against pests, diseases, and environmental change. 

Current models of industrial food production are leading to an alarming loss of biodiversity across the globe. This is due to deforestation and land clearing, expansion of monocultures and standardization of livestock, overreliance on chemical pesticides and fertilizers, rapid urban expansion, introduction of invasive species, and the acceleration of climate change. 
While we deal with the consequences of climate change, biodiversity is one of our survival strategies. Cultivating diverse breeds can help manage extreme weather, emerging pests, and disease. A diversified farm hit by a crop-specific pest won't suffer an entire loss. As Ontario faces more prolonged dry seasons, intense rains, and unpredictable temperature swings, biodiversity will be essential to our system's stability. ​

Ontario is home to more than 30,000 species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. Nearly 20% of these species are currently at risk in our backyard. The 2020 State of Ontario’s Biodiversity report emphasizes that biodiversity must be supported. Conservation areas play a role, yes, but so does how we farm, shop, and eat. 
Small-scale farming is a refuge for biodiversity. Many of these farmers use diversified organic processes. These farms tend to cultivate a variety of crops rather than a single monoculture. They use fewer to no chemicals and integrate native species and pollinator plants into their growing systems. Diversified farms preserve soil life, improve water retention, and create wildlife habitats. Other practices like composting and rotational grazing regenerate the land rather than depleting it. ​

It's important to recognize the historical stewardship of Indigenous people with their valuable wisdom and approaches to ecological balance. The Three Sisters planting method is a great example, used across Turtle Island. This involves growing corn, beans, and squash together in a single mound, each with a role to play in the mutually beneficial garden. Corn provides stalks for the beans to climb, beans fix nitrogen in the soil, and squash provides ground cover to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Together they form a symbiotic system that improves soil, deters pests, and strengthens food security. ​

Farmers' markets are a key venue for heirloom produce and heritage livestock that are important to preserve genetic material critical to responding to climate stresses. Seeds of Diversity Canada is a group working to preserve and encourage the cultivation of heirloom and endangered varieties, many of which you can find at an Ontario farmers’ market. Heirloom refers to open-pollinated varieties passed down through generations, selected for flavour, adaptability, and nutritional value. Heritage livestock similarly consists of older breeds that are more genetically diverse and better suited to local conditions. ​

It's a community effort. Engaging with your local ecology by learning more about native plant gardening, seed saving, and regenerative agriculture is one thing. However, there's more you can do to sustain the movement. Buying from diverse, small-scale farmers, talking to vendors about their biodiversity practices, and finding ways to get involved supports biodiversity more than you think. Your time and money toward this initiative supports the people doing the hard work to cultivate a more holistic and sustainable approach to farming. 
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When you return home from the farmers’ market and you see your delicious local honey, vibrant greens, and local bread, it’s more than food. It’s an investment toward the future adaptability of our food’s resiliency. 

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Jacob Wilcox, EDC Summer Marketing Student

 Jacob is a St. Thomas-born, Wallacetown-raised artist and writer who recently completed a BA in Visual Art at York University. An avid Elgin County enthusiast, he has a deep appreciation for local businesses, rural life, community connections, and grassroots initiatives. From a young age, Jacob has been involved in local theatre--most notably Dutton’s community theatre, WEDS. As a practicing artist, he blends photography, writing, and illustration in both his personal work and marketing initiatives, with a focus on visual storytelling and brand identity. He is drawn to the beauty in the mundane, finds art in everyday life, and hopes to carry that perspective into a future career in community stewardship and education.