MacFarlane Farm: Expanding Northern Beef Production to Meet Local Demand
MacFarlane Farm is a northern Ontario cow-calf operation rooted in Algoma with a steady, long-term vision: to provide quality local beef at a fair price while building a farm that can thrive for generations. Since starting in 2016 with a small herd, the farm has grown into a significant regional producer. Today, it operates a 75-head beef cow-calf herd, grows forage crops, and rents a portion of its land for field crops — creating a diversified and resilient agricultural business.
From the beginning, MacFarlane Farm has prioritized keeping the beef value chain local. Animals are born on the farm, processed within the region, and sold locally. This approach reduces transportation distances, supports regional processors and suppliers, and strengthens northern Ontario’s food system. By maintaining local control over production and sales, more food dollars remain within the community.
What’s New On The Farm
An earlier Fair Finance Fund loan supported the construction of a backgrounding barn, allowing calves to be raised on-farm rather than being shipped to Southern Ontario. This investment strengthened herd management, improved soil protection during wet seasons, and increased the farm’s capacity to meet regional demand.
Since then, MacFarlane Farm has continued to grow steadily and strategically. With consistent local beef sales and increasing market demand, the farm is now expanding herd capacity through the construction of a new calving barn. They are also diversifying their operation by converting trees cleared for new farmland into locally sold firewood, creating an additional revenue stream while making better use of on-farm resources. In addition, MacFarlane Farm is expanding direct sales relationships with northern First Nation communities, strengthening regional food access and deepening their role in the northern Ontario food system.
With their newly approved loan at the end of 2025, MacFarlane Farm is entering its next phase of expansion. Financing will support the construction of a new calving barn, enabling the herd to grow in response to steady market demand. As more forested land is responsibly cleared and converted into workable farmland, the farm is planning to expand toward a larger cow-calf operation over time. Increasing productive acreage not only supports herd growth but also strengthens the region’s overall food production capacity.
Recognizing the volatility of the cattle industry, MacFarlane Farm is also diversifying its revenue streams. As part of land clearing efforts, harvested trees are being processed into firewood rather than chipped or burned. With investment in wood-splitting equipment, this by-product is now sold locally across northwestern Ontario. This strategy generates additional cash flow, makes more efficient use of natural resources, and reduces reliance on firewood transported from outside the region. It also broadens the farm’s customer base, increasing the number of local households purchasing directly from the farm.
At the same time, MacFarlane Farm is expanding its market relationships with northern First Nation communities. The farm is beginning to supply beef directly to communities across the north, helping increase access to locally raised protein at fair prices. Farm tours for First Nations community members are strengthening transparency and building trust in how food is raised and processed locally.
Today, MacFarlane Farm continues to see consistent local sales while carefully scaling both its herd and diversified enterprises. By combining infrastructure investment, land stewardship, and strategic diversification, the farm is building long-term resilience in northern Ontario’s food economy.
Fair Finance Fund is proud to continue supporting MacFarlane Farm through this second loan. By investing in herd expansion, infrastructure, and diversified on-farm enterprises, this partnership helps strengthen local food production, resource stewardship, and economic resilience across the north.
