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Home > News > Next UCLG economic development sector panel to discuss agriculture Jan. 15 in Athens

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Next UCLG economic development sector panel to discuss agriculture Jan. 15 in Athens

Posted Jan 7, 2010 By EMC News

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EMC News - The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville (UCLG) in partnership with Leeds-Grenville MP Gord Brown and MPP Bob Runciman, would like to invite members to attend the upcoming agriculture sector panel, part of the economic development summit sector panel series. This day-long event will provide an opportunity to network, share best practices and opportunities, while assisting with the development of future strategies for economic development in Leeds and Grenville.

The latest sector panel will take place Friday, Jan. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Joshua Bates Centre in Athens. The keynote speaker for the event will be Bob Gallant, president and CEO of Greenfield Ethanol Inc. He will discuss what the future holds for Greenfield and the agriculture sector new product development.

The agenda for the day opens with registration at 8:30 a.m., followed by welcome remarks at 9 a.m. from Athens mayor John Conley, UCLG past warden Jim Pickard as well as Runciman and Brown. Gallant will take over the floor at approximately 9:10 a.m., followed by Ian McFall, vice president of sales and procurement for Burnbrae Farms Ltd. at 9:40 a.m. McFall will discuss supply chain development for value added products.

After a short break, the panel resumes at 10:30 a.m. with a segment on maximizing your opportunities, which will begin with Dr. Paul Sharpe, college professor and associate director of academics at University of Guelph-Kemptville Campus speaking about the products and services Kemptville Campus offers. Mark Wales, an executive member of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Development Council will follow to discuss agri-talent and emerging markets projects. Bryan Cook of Cropland Management Consultants will talk about crop management services and Rob Gamble of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will conclude by outlining programs to help manage your business.

Then at 11:40 a.m., local business owner Wendy Banks of Wendy's Mobile Market and Country Market will speak about opportunities for local sustainability and community building.

The panel will break for lunch and networking at 12:15 p.m. and resumes at 1 p.m. with Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission chair Geri Kamenz to discuss barriers and opportunities represented by regulated marketing. At 1:30 p.m. UCLG economic development coordinator Ann Weir will present showcasing to strategizing for agriculture, which will be followed at 1:45 p.m. by a break-out session for those in attendance to brainstorm agriculture opportunities and strategies.

Discussing the results of those break-out sessions and closing remarks will round out the day at 2:50 p.m.

Register soon for this latest sector panel. The cost to attend is $15 (includes lunch) and advanced payment is required. The deadline to register is Monday, Jan. 11. Cheques can be made payable to: United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, c/o Rosemary Van Rooi, 32 Wall St., 3rd Floor, Brockville, ON K6V 4R9. For additional information or to register, those interested can also email rosemary.vanrooi@uclg.on.ca, call (613)-342-3840 ext. 5362 or fax (613)-342-3298.

To keep informed on all of the upcoming UCLG economic development summit sector panels, please visit www.uclg.on.ca and click on the news and events tab at the top of the home page.