The Ontario Farmland Trust is proud to share the final assignments from the students who participated in the 2025 Planning for Agricultural Conservation course. This course is a unique collaboration between the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD) at the University of Guelph and the Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT).
Co-delivered by Dr. Sara Epp (SEDRD) and Martin Straathof (Executive Director, OFT), this interdisciplinary graduate-level course explores the vital intersection of agricultural, food, and social systems planning. With a specific focus on Ontario’s agri-food context, students engage in taking a critical look at how various planning and conservation tools can help protect our agricultural lands for future generations.
The course combines academic inquiry with experiential learning. Students have the opportunity to hear directly from guest speakers working in the field, and to apply their knowledge in a capstone assignment: the development of an information guide designed to support municipalities with farmland protection through one of three methods (i) working with land trusts, (ii) establishing local agricultural preserves, and (iii) establishing parks. These guides aim to present holistic strategies that consider long-term land use, social and economic impacts, and the communities that benefit from sustainable agricultural systems.
We’re thrilled to share three of these final assignments with our community. They reflect the students’ deep curiosity, creativity, and commitment to learning about and contributing to the future of agricultural conservation.
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Sara Epp and SEDRD for their continued partnership. We’re also deeply grateful to the guest speakers who generously shared their time and expertise. And of course, thank you to the students – your engagement, insight, and passion for agricultural conservation give us hope for the future of planning, agriculture, and land stewardship.
A Note About These Toolkits
The guides posted below represent the final assignments of students in the 2025 class of the course. They are the result of extensive research, literature review, and case study analysis. While these projects are thoughtful and informed, they do not necessarily reflect the official positions or recommendations of the Ontario Farmland Trust. They are not presented as finalized toolkits for municipal use, but rather as valuable contributions that can inspire dialogue, inform decision-making, and support community-based efforts to protect farmland.
If you have questions about the content or would like to discuss how these ideas might connect with your own work, we welcome you to reach out to us at the Ontario Farmland Trust.