Our popular winter webinar series returns, free and open to all, covering topics on the latest development pressures on farmland, innovative solutions, strategies in stewarding farmland, and ways you can get involved locally.
Join the Ontario Farmland Trust’s Executive Director, Martin Straathof, and Board Chair, Margaret Walton, for an accessible introduction to municipal planning processes and farmland protection policies. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of how municipal decisions impact farmland, what tools exist to influence those decisions, and which levels of government and departments are responsible for decisions affecting farmland.
Want to dive deeper into municipal farmland policy and how you can contribute to impactful change towards farmland protecion in your local communities? Join farmers, conservationists, planners, researchers, students, and municipal staff at our 2026 Farmland Forum on March 19th, 2026 at the Grandway Events Centre in Elora. Learn more here.
About Martin & Margaret:
Martin grew up on a dairy farm in Renfrew County, shaping his lifelong commitment to agriculture and rural communities. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Development and a Master’s degree in Rural Planning and Development from the University of Guelph, where his research explored how development can support farmland preservation. With experience in agriculture, non-profit leadership, and rural planning, Martin is a strong advocate for sustainable agriculture and farmland protection for future generations.
Margaret is a Senior Associate at PLANSCAPE, a planning firm specializing in rural, recreational, and small-community planning. With over 30 years of experience, she’s a leading expert in agricultural planning, particularly in areas facing urban growth pressures. Margaret has developed agricultural policies for many Regions and municipalities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, promoting a systems-based approach that supports both flexibility and economic success in farming. She is a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute.
Webinar Details:
- Online via Zoom
- Thursday, January 22, 2026
- 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
While we’re proud to offer these webinars free of charge, we invite those who are able to consider making a donation to help us keep them accessible to everyone.
The Zoom webinar link and call-in information will be distributed ahead of the webinar date. Any questions or comments, please reach out to Teresa at [email protected].