OPPI Forum Friday: A Primer on Agricultural Impact Assessments with OMAFA
Webinar Series
Event Details
What is an Agricultural Impact Assessment (AIA)? How can an AIA be used effectively to enhance the compatibility of non-agricultural development and the agricultural system? Come join OMAFA staff for this informative session and learn the key components of an AIA and how this tool can avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to the agri-food sector.
Speakers
John TurveySenior Policy Advisor at Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Biography
John Turvey has been a practicing land use planner for more than 27 years. Since March 2021 he has been Senior Policy Advisor in the Agricultural Land Use Policy Unit of OMAFA. He has worked on a variety of provincial land use planning initiatives including the Greenbelt Plan, reviews of the Provincial Planning Statement and reviews of the Minimum Distance Separation Formulae.
He has appeared as an expert witness before both the Normal Farm Practices Protection Board and the Ontario Land Tribunal.
He has presented at several conferences and events on issues related to farmland protection and land use planning, including the World Planners Congress, Canadian Institute of Planners Conferences, Ontario Professional Planners Institute Conferences, Ontario Farmland Trust Forum, and the American Farmland Trust Conference.
Lisa GrbinicekPolicy Advisor
Food Safety & Environmental
Policy Branch
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
Biography
Lisa Grbinicek, is a Registered Professional Planner and Policy Advisor with the OMAFA Agricultural Land Use Planning unit. Lisa has an extensive history in the Ontario Public Service with a strong focus on provincial natural heritage and agricultural policy development and implementation. Prior to joining OMAFA, Lisa dedicated much of her career to Provincial Plan implementation focused on protection of the Niagara Escarpment. Highlights of her career include supporting and maintaining the Escarpment’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Designation, leading ecological monitoring programs and projects, and contributing to the 10-year Co-ordinated Provincial Plan Review. Lisa’s work at OMAFA is currently focused on agricultural land use policy implementation, including supporting provincial guidance.
For more information about the Agricultural Land Use Planning unit at OMAFA, including contact information for our team, please visit
the OMAFA website.
Host
Pam DueslingPh.D., MCIP, RPP, EcD, CMM3
Biography
Pam is a Registered Professional Planner and Economic Development Professional who has been practicing in rural southern Ontario for 25 years. Pam formerly worked in Haldimand, Norfolk and Brant Counties and is now the Director of Community Planning and Development in the Town of Pelham.
Pam has a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Urban and Regional Planning, a Masters of Applied Environmental Studies in Local Economic Development from the University of Waterloo and a PhD in Rural Studies from the University of Guelph. She also holds a Diploma in Public Administration from the University of Western and a Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership for Schulich Executive Education Center at York University.
Pam is a lifelong volunteer with OPPI and is currently serving on OPPI Council. Pam understands the challenges and opportunities of On-Farm Diversification as she is a sixth generation family farmer in Norfolk County.