Explore a globally recognized agricultural equipment manufacturer rooted in rural Ontario with more than a century of innovation. This stop showcases how advanced engineering and manufacturing are transforming nutrient management through industry-leading liquid manure equipment, positioning this rural business as an international leader serving farms across North America and beyond.
Municipal Agriculture Economic Development and Planning Forum
SETTING THE STAGE FOR RURAL PROSPERITY
Registration Now Open!
September 28-29, 2026
Join us for this year’s Municipal Agriculture Economic Development & Planning Forum, a gathering of municipal leaders, planners, economic developers, farmers, agri-food professionals, and community stakeholders. This year’s theme, Setting the Stage for Rural Prosperity, highlights the partnerships, innovation, and strategic thinking driving growth across Perth County’s rural and agricultural communities and beyond.
Attendees can experience the full forum with the Day 1 agri-food tour and reception plus the Day 2 conference, or choose to attend the Day 2 conference only.
Together, the forum will explore ideas and solutions shaping the future of agriculture, planning, and rural economic development.
Join us for the discussions helping set the stage for rural prosperity.
Registration closes September 1, 2026.
Who Should Attend?
- Municipal planning and economic development professionals
- Farmers, producers, and agricultural organizations
- Government representatives and policy leaders
- Agri-food business owners, entrepreneurs, and innovators
- Community leaders, partners, and industry stakeholders
What To Expect
- Real-world rural economic development case studies
- Discussions on planning, growth, and municipal collaboration
- Behind-the-scenes insights into Perth County’s agri-food, manufacturing, and agri-tourism sectors
- Networking with municipal and industry leaders
- Experience Perth County and Stratford’s culture, food, and festival atmosphere
Forum Agenda
DAY 1 - AGRIBUSINESS SHOWCASE TOUR
Experience the innovation and diversification driving Perth County's rural economy. This immersive tour showcases businesses that are scaling up, adding value, and creating new opportunities right here in our community.
Date: Monday, September 28, 2026
Tour: 8:00am-5:00pm
The experiential tour stops below are listed in no particular order and are subject to change:
Turning Waste into Opportunity: Innovation in Nutrient Management
From Pasture to Plate: A Cheese Story
Discover an award-winning artisan producer where traditional European craftsmanship meets on-farm sustainability. Learn how they've created a "closed-loop" system, turning their primary product into a celebrated, value-added brand that has also become a popular agri-tourism destination.
Scaling Food Production for a Growing Province
Go behind the scenes at a leading egg grading and distribution facility to learn how innovation, logistics, and strong producer partnerships support Ontario’s food supply chain. This stop highlights the scale, efficiency, and technology required to deliver fresh food products to consumers across the province and beyond.
Where Hospitality Meets Rural Tradition
Discover how a family-owned restaurant and bakery became a well-known culinary destination rooted in Mennonite traditions and homemade cooking. This stop demonstrates the power of agri-tourism, local food, and authentic visitor experiences in supporting rural economic development and community growth.
Excellence in Dairy Innovation
Visit an award-winning dairy operation recognized for leadership in agricultural excellence, sustainability, and innovation. Learn how modern dairy farming combines advanced technology, animal care, and environmental stewardship to build a resilient and forward-thinking agricultural business for the next generation.
Reception
Join us for a Perth County reception featuring local food and drink while connecting with fellow attendees in a relaxed networking atmosphere. Experience a taste of Perth County’s agri-tourism sector and enjoy an evening celebrating the people, places, and businesses that make our region unique.
Reception: 5:00-7:30pm
DAY 2
Conference
Join us for a full-day conference featuring insightful presentations and interactive sessions focused on advancing rural prosperity through agriculture in Perth County and beyond. Engage with industry experts and municipal leaders to explore economic development and planning strategies, alongside innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth in the agri-food sector.
Location: Tom Patterson Theatre, 111 Lakeside Drive, Stratford, Ontario
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Time: 8:30am – 4:00pm
We are looking forward to setting the stage for new ideas, meaningful connections, and rural prosperity.
The conference detals below are listed in no particular order and are subject to change:
Featuring: Christin Dennis, Indigenous Elder
Why This Conversation Matters
Every successful community begins by understanding where it stands.
Respected Indigenous Elder Christin Dennis will open the forum through storytelling, reflection, and traditional teachings that honour the enduring relationship between people, place, and prosperity. His teachings invite us to consider our shared responsibility as stewards of the land and remind us that resilient communities are built through respect, reciprocity, and meaningful relationships.
As we begin the day together, Christin's perspective will ground our conversations in the values that connect agriculture, planning, economic development, and community leadership.
What You'll Take Home:
- A deeper appreciation for Indigenous perspectives on stewardship and community.
- New ways to think about leadership through the lens of relationship and responsibility.
- A meaningful foundation for the conversations and collaborations that follow.
Building the Foundation for Growth
Featuring: Dan Mathieson & Caroline Baker
Why This Conversation Matters
Communities that attract transformational investment don't wait for opportunity, they prepare for it.
Join Dan Mathieson as he shares his vision for creating development-ready communities that are positioned to compete, grow, and prosper in an increasingly competitive environment.
Following the keynote, Dan will be joined by Caroline Baker for an engaging fireside conversation exploring how planners, economic developers, elected officials, and municipal leaders can work together to remove barriers, align priorities, and move strategic projects from vision to reality.
Through practical examples, candid discussion, and lessons learned from across Ontario, they'll demonstrate why collaboration—not silos is the true foundation of successful community development.
What You'll Take Home
- Practical strategies for preparing your community for investment.
- Ideas to strengthen collaboration across municipal departments.
- New perspectives on leadership, partnership, and long-term prosperity.
The Development Dance: A Planner and an EDO Find Their Rhythm
Featuring: Jeff Brick and Sean Dyke
Why This Conversation Matters
Planning and economic development may have different perspectives, but they share the same goal: building stronger communities.
What does a planner wish every economic developer understood? How can economic developers engage planners early to build momentum instead of roadblocks?
Join Jeff Brick and Sean Dyke for an honest, entertaining, and practical conversation about breaking down silos, building trust, and creating a culture where departments work together to solve problems instead of simply managing them.
Expect plenty of laughter, relatable stories, and practical ideas you can bring back to your own organization.
What You'll Take Home
- Better strategies for working across municipal departments.
- Practical communication tools that strengthen internal collaboration.
- Ideas that help turn good working relationships into great community outcomes.
The On-Farm Diversification Model
A Deep Dive into Community Improvement Plans
Why This Conversation Matters
Ontario agriculture is evolving and municipal policy must evolve with it.
Discover how innovative Community Improvement Plans are helping municipalities encourage on-farm diversification, support entrepreneurs, attract investment, and strengthen rural economies.
Hear directly from leaders who developed these successful initiatives as they share practical advice, implementation lessons, and ideas that communities of every size can adapt to support agriculture and economic growth.
What You'll Take Home
- Practical examples from municipalities leading the way.
- Policy ideas that encourage investment while supporting agriculture.
- Proven approaches that can be adapted in your own community.
Housing the Workforce that Feeds Ontario
Why This Conversation Matters
A thriving agricultural economy depends on people and people need places to live.
From temporary foreign workers and skilled tradespeople to young professionals and the next generation of farm families, housing has become one of rural Ontario's most significant challenges.
This panel brings together leaders from across sectors to explore innovative partnerships, creative housing models, and practical solutions that support workforce attraction, retention, and long-term economic prosperity.
What You'll Take Home
- Fresh ideas from communities tackling rural housing challenges.
- Practical approaches that balance growth with community character.
- New strategies to support workforce attraction and economic resilience.