Registration is now open for the 8th annual Municipal Agriculture Economic Development Forum, taking place November 2 – 3, 2016. The forum will be hosted by the Town of Caledon and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Those with municipal and economic development portfolios, with specific focus on farming, food processing, agri-tourism, equine/agri-business sector, and agri-entrepreneurship, will have an opportunity to network, share successes, and experience the “tastes” and sites of Caledon. Register to learn more about programs and opportunities for the agricultural sector.
Day one of the forum will begin with the Eat, Drink & Network bus tour. Enjoy a lunch featuring a variety of local and fresh foods at the Spirit Tree Cidery and Heatherlea Farm Store. Learn from the owners of these businesses as they tell their stories from an economic development perspective. At the last tour stop, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting at Adamo Estate Winery before heading back to the Millcroft Inn & Spa. The evening will begin with an informal networking reception followed by a local food dinner. The featured speaker is Dana McCauley, the Executive Director of Food Starter. Dana will speak about Accelerating Food Entrepreneurship in Your Community. The evening will also provide an opportunity for you to sample products from FoodStarter clients, and discuss their journey from idea to product.
Day two of the forum will feature speakers including Michele Harris, Executive Director, Headwaters Tourism. Michele, will be sharing her experience working with the community as they identified the strengths of the equine sector and subsequently developed the brand for Caledon and surrounding area as Headwaters Horse Country, Ontario’s Centre of Equine Excellence. Forum participants will have a chance to tour the Caledon Equestrian Park, (PANAM equestrian site) with Craig Collins, one of the key people behind the development of the facility. Additional speakers will be presenting on: Using Planning Tools to Support Farm Viability, Resources Supporting Agriculture Economic Development, and Food and Farming Economic Development Success Stories.
For more information on the Forum visit the Town of Caledon website:
- DAY ONE – November 2 ― $80.00 plus Eventbrite fee plus HST (Includes: Bus Tour; Progressive Lunch, Wine tasting, Evening Speaker, & Local Dinner at the Millcroft Inn & Spa)
- DAY TWO – Thursday, November 3 ― $70.00 plus HST (Includes: Municipal Agricultural Economic Development Forum; Tour of Caledon Equestrian Centre, Lunch and Local Food Refreshments
- TWO-DAY PACKAGE ― $150.00 plus Eventbrite fee plus HST
A webex will be available for the Day 2 forum speakers – $ 45 plus Eventbrite fee plus HST (groups welcome to view the webex 9:30 am – 4:00 pm)
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
www.caledon.ca/ecdevforum
If attending the Forum, be sure to book your overnight stay at the Millcroft Inn & Spa as soon as possible, RESERVE NOW using Group ID # 1783340 or to reserve by phone: Hotel’s Reservations Department at 1-888-669-5566 and request the “In-House Reservation Line”, let them know you are attending the Ontario Agricultural Economic Development Forum. Space is limited.
Special thanks to Foodland Ontario for partnering with this event.
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