An agricultural symposium designed to spur collaboration between Northern Ontario farmers and researchers in the agricultural sector is set to take place next week in Sault Ste. Marie.
A joint initiative of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre and the NORDIK Institute, the Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) Symposium will be held Nov. 4 and 5 at Algoma University.
“The symposium creates an opportunity to learn from food and agri-based production experts, producers and their support organizations,” Errol Caldwell, the innovation centre's research director, said in a news release. “Discussions will result in a better understanding of production and other issues in Northern Ontario and will lead to improved co-operation among those who can help address those issues.”
The two-day event will feature workshops on topics including sustainable soil and crop productivity, specialty foods and value-added products, and healthy food for sustainable communities.
Keynote speaker Ron Bonnett, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and a local beef farmer, will be presenting local and international perspectives on the future of agriculture in Northern Ontario.
Other speakers include representatives of the University of Guelph, the Northern Ontario Growth Plan, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, Lakehead University, and the Food Security Research Network.
The RAIN Symposium is sponsored by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Community Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie & Area, the University of Guelph, Algoma University, the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, and the NORDIK Institute.
.jpeg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
