DISCLAIMER: We gather and present publicly available 3rd party event information on our website so that you and your family can have a fantastic time. Please check organizer's website for UpToDate and correct information. We do not accept responsibility for the accuracy of the content provided in this calendar.
Up for Something Different?
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. In clicking through and purchasing from these links you will not be charged anything extra but I will receive a small commission.
Schedule Details
Start: 2025-11-22T09:45:00 | End: 2025-11-22T16:00:00
Price Details
Lowest: 0.00 CAD; Highest: 31.59 CAD
Age Restrictions
Not available
Ticket Website
Location Details
Bonfield
100 Yonge Street, Bonfield, ON P0H 1E0, Canada
About the Event
The agri-food forum will bring together local area farmers, agri-food businesses, and regional funders to discuss key issues and solutions.
This one-day event will take place at the Bonfield Community Center, located at: 100 Yonge St, Bonfield, ON P0H 1E0. A locally sourced Harvest Lunch is also proposed to demonstrate a breadth of agri-food related products within the Bonfield Community.
Bonfield has deep rural roots, and farming continues to be a proud part of our heritage.
As Council works toward diversifying our local economy, we want agriculture to play a key role in that growth. This Forum is an opportunity to come together, share ideas, and explore how we can strengthen and expand Bonfield's agricultural impact.
The agri-food forum seeks to pull together local area farmers and agri-food businesses; plus, regional experts and funding partners to discuss the key issues, constraints, and opportunities affecting the agri-food sector in the Township of Bonfield.
Join us for an open, two-way discussion about the future of farming in our community - and how we can grow together!
The forum is FREE for Bonfield-based agri-food businesses and local residents to attend. An entry fee of $25 plus applicable taxes and fees will be charged to non-residents.
AGENDA
9:45am - Registration
Tea / Coffee and Networking
10:15am - Welcome / Introduction to the event
By municipal officials
10:30am - Overview of Strategic Plan (2025-2030)
Learn how Agri-Food Initiatives relate to the Township of Bonfield's newly adopted Strategic Plan.
10:40pm - Planning & Development Update
Gain an overview of the proposed replacement Official Plan and Comprehensive Zoning By-law, and how they are intended to apply to agri-food initiatives.
10.50am - Introduction to the Business Retention + Expansion (BR+E) Initiative
Learn about the Township of Bonfield's ongoing Business Retention + Expansion (BR+E) Initiative, referred to as: “Growing Bonfield Together: Community Business Survey 2025”, and how you can influence the future business landscape in the Township of Bonfield.
11:00am - Break
11:20am - Agri-business Capacity Building Project.
Learn about the Township of Bonfield's participation in the “Agri-business Capacity Building Project'; and how the Township is engaging with regional municipalities to share information and learn about best practices in the agri-food sector.
11:30am - Nipissing University
Gain insights from researchers at Nipissing University on the environmental impacts of farming, and alternative / best practice farm management techniques, including reference to case studies. Understand how simple interventions can support enhanced biodiversity, reduced emissions, and decreased groundwater pollution.
NOON - Harvest Lunch
A proposed collaboration between local agri-food businesses. Stay tuned for further details.
1:00pm - Roundtable Session: “Realizing Bonfield's Potential”
A custom designed session, where participants are asked to spend >10 minutes per table having group discussions moderated by expert facilitators on topics including:
1. Energy (Traditional and renewable energy sources / the grid system).
2. Environmental Stewardship (Biodiversity, invasive species, irrigation, drainage, run-off, etc.)
3. Farm-to-Table (Food and beverage handling, safety & prep, restaurant, retail, farmstands, etc.)
4. Future Planning (On-farm diversified uses, innovative practices, and succession planning).
5. Productivity (Machinery, equipment, efficiencies, margins and yields).
6. Resources (Staff, livestock, seed, specialty crops, feedstock and fertilizers, etc.)
2:00pm - Roundtable Summary
Shared feedback on the key issues, constraints, and opportunities identified within the six roundtables.
2:20pm - Break
Partner Presentations
2:30pm - NOFIA (Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance)
Learn about the range of programs, services and research-led activities offered by the Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance (NOFIA) including potential opportunities to access grants, rebates, and other incentives to support local area farming, and agri-food businesses.
2:50pm - Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Learn about the programs and member-based services offered by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA); a producer-led organization that represents the diverse interests of Ontario's agri-food sector and rural communities with a focus on government relations, farm policy development, research, stakeholder and community engagement.
3:10pm - Click Fork, Northern Ontario's Online Farmer's Market
Discover how Click Fork is successfully building a regional agri-food supply chain which connects local area farmers to households, restaurants, and other paying customers. Learn about best practice ways to bring your products to market, and the range of support services available to assist your agri-food businesses' continued growth and development.
3:30pm - Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agri-Business
Learn more about the Provincial Ministries' role in supporting the development of the agricultural sector, and the resources available to support agri-food businesses and networks.
3:40pm - Panel Discussion - Comprising various delivery partners.
3:55pm - Wrap-up / networking
