The trend of consolidating small and medium dairy farms has been consistent and is a major factor affecting the working landscape in the region. Competition is high and requires large scale production to be successful in shipping conventional fluid milk. In response, there is growth in diversified and value adding farming in both counties. For example, the amount of land used for harvesting vegetables increased from 126 acres to 266 acres from 2012 to 2017. Diversification and value-added production are key strategies for small and medium producers to stake out a place in the market.

There are many strategies that municipalities can implement to strengthen agriculture and maintain the number of small and medium farms in the region. This includes incorporating pro-agriculture land use policies in town plans and bylaws, such as encouraging accessory on-farm businesses, encouraging the conservation of farmland through the purchase of development rights or other means, supporting programs that assist new farmers succeed, whether though land access, business planning or other training, and working with farmers and local groups to promote diversified agriculture, value added production and strengthening the regional food system.