Municipalities & Farmland Protection
March 19, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The GrandWay Events Centre
Elora, ON and online
Ontario’s agricultural sector is foundational to the province’s economy, feeding communities and driving growth at home and abroad. Yet, the farmland that sustains this vital sector is undervalued and increasingly at risk. With only 5% of Ontario’s land mass suitable for farming, pressures from non-agricultural development are threatening not just our food systems but the future of farming and local food itself.
Too often, the voices of farmers go unheard, and the essential role of agriculture in land-use planning and economic development is underestimated. Municipalities play a pivotal role in shaping the future of farmland through zoning, land-use planning, and policy decisions. But they can’t act alone. Collaboration between municipal leaders, farmers, planners, conservationists, and community members is essential to protect Ontario’s agricultural future.
Our 2026 Farmland Forum will be unlike any before, offering an inspiring space for cross-sector dialogue, shared learning, and practical action. Through a keynote address, farmer-led panel, informative sessions, and a hands-on workshop, the Forum will explore the challenges and gaps facing municipalities and local communities, and highlight actionable steps to protect Ontario’s farmland, ensuring a future that includes food, farms, economic vitality, and resilient communities. Participants will leave inspired with practical tools to champion farmland protection back home.
Agenda
9:00 AM
9:20 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Opening Keynote – Envisioning a Future Where Farmland Thrives
Speaker: Rene Van Acker, President, University of Guelph
Drawing on his experience navigating complex systems across local, provincial, and federal levels, he’ll explore how institutions, communities, and the agricultural sector intersect and shed light on how efforts for farmland protection on all scales can be amplified. Attendees will leave this keynote energized and focused, ready to explore real-world tools and partnerships throughout the day.
10:25 AM
Morning Sessions – Strengthening Agricultural Systems through Policy and Community Engagement
These sessions are aimed at supporting municipal staff, councillors, planners, farmers, and community members in understanding and applying planning tools to strengthen agricultural systems and protect farmland. As pressures on agricultural lands continue to grow, it is essential that all stakeholders are equipped with the knowledge, resources, and opportunities to make informed decisions and actively participate in shaping land use policies.
Participants have the choice to attend one of two sessions:
Session 1 – Best suited for individuals with a strong background in planning
Speakers:
John Turvey, Senior Policy Advisor, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness (OMAFA)
Regan Zink, Rural Planner, OMAFA
Agricultural Impact Assessments (AIAs) are a critical tool for ensuring that land-use decisions support the long-term health of agricultural systems. This workshop will explore the recently released AIA guidelines and their anticipated implications for municipal planning. Representatives from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness (OMAFA) will walk participants through key components of the AIA process and facilitate discussions on how AIAs can be applied to address current agricultural planning challenges. Participants will also consider how AIAs fit within the broader framework of agricultural systems planning and exchange strategies for making these tools meaningful and actionable in their local contexts.
Session 2 – Best suited for individuals new to planning and municipal planning processes
Speakers:
Pamela Duesling, Director of Community Planning and Development, Town of Pelham
Claire Basinski, Principal & Co-Founder, Take Consulting
Building on the pre-forum webinar, this workshop will move beyond policy foundations to explore practical strategies for local engagement. As municipalities adopt agricultural system planning approaches and begin to implement Agricultural Impact Assessments (AIAs), there is a growing need for farmers and community members to understand these tools and how they influence decision-making processes. Participants will learn how to identify and connect with the appropriate municipal staff and councillors, engage meaningfully in planning processes, and advocate for farmland protection in their communities.
11:35 AM
OFT’s Organizational Update and Initiatives
Speaker: Martin Straathof, Executive Director, Ontario Farmland Trust
11:45 AM
Lunch & Networking
12:45 PM
Bill 21: Protect Our Food Act
Speaker: Mike Schreiner, MPP, Guelph
1:00 PM
Panel – Farmers on the Impacts of Development and Planning
This panel will explore how land-use planning decisions directly shape the day-to-day realities of farming, often with consequences that extend far beyond the farm gate. Farmers on the frontlines of expropriation, aggregate mining, minimum distance separation requirements, and urban boundary expansions will share their lived experiences of how these policies and pressures impact their land, water, and ability to sustain their operations. Panellists will also share their vision for what planning could look like if farmers were meaningfully included in the process.
Speakers:
- Jenn Pfenning, President, National Farmers Union
- Crispin Colvin, Director, Middlesex Federation of Agriculture
- Jack Chaffe, Owner/Operator, Chaffe Farms Ltd
- John den Haan, Shareholder, Haanview Farms inc. and Sheldon Creek Dairy
Moderator: Kate Procter, Owner/Manager, Bodmin Limited
2:30 PM
Afternoon Workshop – From Tools to Action: Strengthening Farmland Protection Together
Speakers:
Rob Vanden Hengel, President, Huron County Federation of Agriculture
Jennifer Miltenburg, Municipal Councillor & Dairy Farmer, Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh
As municipalities face increasing pressure on farmland, this session explores the vital role of proactive engagement and community input in municipal planning for farmland protection. Speakers will share their experience becoming a trusted participant in local planning discussions, outlining effective engagement strategies, and key lessons learned in navigating recent changes to planning and appeal processes. We’ll hear municipal perspectives on how informed community input strengthens council decision-making, and the support municipalities need to sustain a resilient and prosperous agricultural landscape.
Workshop Activity Facilitator: The Community Company
This workshop activity will invite participants to apply the day’s learnings through a structured, collaborative activity. Attendees will reflect on the key issues and opportunities facing agriculture within their own municipalities, and create a practical action plan for meaningful engagement, helping them consider how to elevate their own perspectives and those of their broader communities in local planning and decision-making processes.
3:50 PM
Closing Remarks
4:00 PM
Adjournment
Pricing
In-person Attendance – sold out!
| Early Bird Price – valid until Feb 19 | Regular Price | |
| General | $170 | $185 |
| Farmer | $130 | $145 |
In-person attendance includes morning refreshments, lunch, and beverages throughout the day. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in table-switching throughout the event.
Online Attendance – register by March 16
| General | $50 |
| Student | $25 |
For online attendance, please note: Due to technical limitations, the online option is primarily designed for viewing, with limited guided facilitation. We’ve included opportunities for online attendees to connect with one another and participate in Q&A sessions throughout the day, though interactive elements will be more limited than in-person. The online Forum option includes access to Session 2 of the Morning Sessions only.
Supported Registrations
To make the 2026 Farmland Forum as accessible as possible, especially for aspiring and equity-deserving farmers, planners, and conservationists, we’re offering a student/reduced rate.
For those interested, contact Teresa at [email protected].
Accessibility Information
In-Person
Restrooms: The GrandWay Centre has a non-gendered, wheelchair-accessible bathroom.
Visual & Audio: Presentations will be projected onto a screen and will include captions. Announcements and speakers will use a mic; all audio is projected with a speaker system.
Breaks & Quiet Spaces: We will have 15-minute breaks every 1.5-2 hours, and a 1-hour lunch break. If you need a quiet break during the day, there are comfortable couches in the main lobby.
Scents & Masks: Attendees will be requested to refrain from wearing strong scents. We will have masks available for attendees, but will not require them.
Transportation and Parking: The venue has ample parking available, along with marked spaces out front for those with accessible parking permits. The venue’s entrance includes a ramp.
Alternate Transportation Options: For those without access to a vehicle, unfortunately, the venue is not transit accessible. To mitigate this, upon registration, we ask if attendees are willing to drive another attendee. We will be organizing carpooling from that information. Send an email to [email protected] if you want to attend in person, but would need a ride. Teresa will reach out if a ride becomes available for you. Other options include Guelph Owen Sound Transportation and RIDE WELL.
Online
Visual & Audio: Automatic captions through Zoom will be available. Announcements and speakers will use a mic; all audio is projected with a speaker system.
Breaks: We will have 15-minute breaks every 1.5-2 hours, and a 1 hour lunch break.
Sponsors
