Agri-Food Forum

The Township of Bonfield will be hosting its first Agri-Food Forum on Saturday November 22, 2025. 

This one-day event will take place at the Bonfield Community Center, located at: 100 Yonge St, Bonfield, ON P0H 1E0.

The event 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.

A locally sourced Harvest Lunch is also proposed to demonstrate a breadth of agri-food related products within the Bonfield Community.

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.

RSVP your place today via the Eventbrite Page. 

Why should you attend?

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. Join us for an open, two-way discussion about the future of farming in our community - and how we can grow together.

The Agri-Food Forum proposes a full day of learning, information-sharing, and professional networking; plus, opportunities to collaborate through the development of local and regional plans and initiatives.

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 (precise running order TBC)

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. 

3:00pm - Partner Presentation #2 (To be confirmed)

3:15pm - Partner Presentation #3 (To be confirmed)  

3:30pm - Panel Discussion - Comprising various delivery partners.  

3:55pm - Wrap-up / networking

4:30pm - Venue Closes