The Preservation of Agricultural Lands Society (PALS) was formed in 1976 by a group of individuals concerned about the future of Canada’s agricultural self-sufficiency. Founding members included NDP MPP Mel Swart, Brock University Professor Bob Hoover, as well as Gracia Janes, John Bacher, and 26 others. The non-profit, charitable organization is based in St. Catharines, Ontario. PALS efforts have focused on land use within the Niagara region, although their activities, and membership, are not limited to the area. The protection of the unique tender fruit and grape lands of the Niagara Peninsula has been the most pressing concern of PALS. Another important aspect of PALS work, as stated in their charter, is promoting the farm industry by helping the farmer. To this end, they produced a document, Support for Farmers: Agricultural Support Policy (1983), informed by farmers who belonged to the organization and other experts. PALS has also been very active in the promotion and development of a voluntary land protection program that protects farmers and the farmland by compensating the farmer for restrictive covenants on land use. PALS remains active and continues to press the government for a voluntary land protection program that uses restrictive covenants to save tender fruit and grape lands for future generations of farmers and urbanites.