Land trusts, Farmland protection

Position: Farmland Access Program Manager
Organization: Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT)
Location: Ontario (hybrid; remote with regular in-person travel to farm sites and meetings)

Salary Range: $62,500 – $73,000 annually
Employment Type: Full-time, contract
Term: Two-year*
Start Date: Early- or mid-March

*This posting is for an existing vacancy at Ontario Farmland Trust and has initial funding for two years. It is intended to become a permanent position, subject to successful performance and funding availability.

About Ontario Farmland Trust

Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) is a province-wide charitable land trust dedicated to protecting Ontario’s farmland for future generations. We work at the intersection of agriculture, conservation, community engagement, and public policy by partnering with farmers, landowners, municipalities, and organizations across Ontario.

OFT is experiencing a period of significant growth and organizational evolution, including expanded land securement activity and the launch of a new farmland access program. We are seeking a program manager to help build the program further to sustain this momentum.

Learn more about OFT by visiting ontariofarmlandtrust.ca.

Position Summary

The Manager will lead the implementation and growth of the newly established Farmland Access Program (FAP). This role is responsible for the end-to-end journey of land and farmers within the program, from initial land securement and property management planning to operator selection and long-term lease management. The Manager will play a critical role in ensuring that OFT-owned lands remain productively and sustainably farmed to support the business viability of FAP’s participant farmers.

This role is responsible for activating OFT-owned farmland into agricultural use, overseeing farmer intake and selection processes, managing long-term lease and ownership pathways, and ensuring that farmland access is affordable, equitably accessible, and aligned with OFT’s conservation and stewardship obligations.

The Program Manager provides strategic leadership and accountability for the program, working closely with the Executive Director, other staff, committees of the Board, and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership, Implementation and Strategy Development

• Lead delivery of OFT’s Farmland Access Program in alignment with the Board-approved Farmland Access Program Plan.
• Translate program objectives into annual work plans, timelines, and performance indicators.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and templates for assessing property for the program, land securement agreements, and closing checklists.
• Track program performance against key measures.
• Evaluate participant experiences and program outcomes to support continuous improvement.
• Prepare program updates (including program budgets), briefing notes, risk management assessments, community engagement opportunities, and other recommendations for senior staff and the Board of Directors.

Land Securement & Property Management

• Manage the securement pathway for fee-simple donations and purchases (including relationship management with prospective donors), gathering relevant information on properties’ characteristics such as soil capability, infrastructure, and environmental features to assess suitability for the program’s various farmland access models.
• Work collaboratively with the Land Protection and Stewardship Program Manager to develop comprehensive Property Management Plans (PMPs) for each site, embedding soil health targets, water quality protection, and biodiversity monitoring in line with Canadian Land Trust Standards and Practices.
• Coordinate basic property readiness tasks, including debris removal, fencing repairs, and water access, within one year of property closing.
• Oversee the coordination of ongoing property management needs for both residential and agricultural infrastructure.
• Coordinate interim agricultural use (e.g., cover cropping, haying) when full operations are delayed.

Farmer Intake, Selection & Tenure

• Lead transparent and equitable farmer intake processes, including Expressions of Interest (EOIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and the evaluation and selection process to ensure a fair and transparent application journey for prospective FAP participants.
• Manage long-term agricultural leases, including two-stage tenure (test period followed by long-term lease), performance reviews, and renewals.
• Support the development and implementation of equity-building pathways such as rent-to-own or other ownership transitions models where feasible.
• Support implementation of OFT’s acquire–protect–sell model and Revolving Farmland Conservation Fund as it moves from design to pilot phase.

Lease Pricing, Compliance & Risk

• Establish and document lease rates within OFT’s Fair Market Value (FMV) framework to balance between affordability, charitable compliance, and revenue-generation for OFT.
• Ensure lease arrangements align with CRA requirements, insurance, farm tax class eligibility, and organizational risk management.
• Oversee annual operator compliance reviews and corrective action processes when required.

Partnerships & Farmer Supports

• The Program Manager serves as a key point of contact for farmers in the program, providing responsive support to their needs/requests/concerns and helping connect them to the resources they need to succeed.
• Build and manage partnerships with sector partners that would support FAP’s participant farmers with training, mentorship, business planning, and financing navigation.
• Assist program participants with access to various supports offered through partner organizations.
• Consult with farmers on implementing best management practices (BMPs) and provide practical guidance or referrals to support farmer implementation of BMPs, aligned with stewardship plans and property goals.
• Establish and maintain relationships with neighbours and groups in proximity or associated with the property.

Team & Internal Collaboration

• Provide functional leadership to the Farmland Access Coordinator, including work planning and mentorship.
• Work closely with Land Protection & Stewardship, Operations, Fund Development, and Education & Community Engagement staff for various program activities such as demonstration plots, community gardens, and farm tours
• Contribute to the development of internal policies, templates, and standard operating procedures related to farmland access.

Required Experience, Skills & Attributes

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in program management, farmland access, agricultural land management, land trusts, conservation, or a related field.
• Deep understanding of Ontario’s agricultural sector, land securement processes, and sustainable farming Best Management Practices (BMPs).
• Proven ability to build trust and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including landowners, new, young and underrepresented farmers, Indigenous communities, and government agencies.
• Experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, timelines, and compliance considerations.
• Familiarity with agricultural leasing, land tenure, property management, and financial modeling is a strong asset.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong program management and organizational skills.
• Ability to balance mission, farmer needs, financial sustainability, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to build and manage relationships with landowners and donors who can help advance resource availability for the program.
• Strong understanding of the challenges facing new farmers and Ontario’s agricultural sector
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including comfort preparing materials for senior leadership and boards.
• Strong judgment, problem-solving skills, and ability to work in evolving and complex environments.
• Ability to travel frequently to farms, particularly during the summer, and traverse fields and forested areas. A valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle are required.

Personal Attributes

• Strong alignment with OFT’s mission and values.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and supporting diverse farming communities.
• Interest in program growth and development with the ability to adapt to changing needs and priorities.
• Collaborative, pragmatic, and relationship-oriented.
• Comfortable working both strategically and hands-on.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $62,500 – $73,000 per year, commensurate with experience
• Benefits: Comprehensive group benefits package and professional development support.
• Flexibility: Remote, in-person or hybrid work model with travel required across Ontario.
• Culture: A collaborative, high-trust environment with significant autonomy to shape the organization's future.
• Details: The weekly schedule is generally Monday-Friday and can accommodate a flexible work arrangement, however occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

How to Apply

Please forward your cover letter, resume, and references (as a single PDF document) to Martin Straathof via e-mail at martin@ontariofarmlandtrust.ca by Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 11:59 pm EST.

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We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.