Watford farm forum to focus on succession, funding and mental health

Farming Forward will bring agricultural producers and farm families together Dec. 1, with sessions on transition planning, grants and support for farmers.

Farm succession planning, funding opportunities and mental health will be the focus of a morning forum in Watford on Dec. 1.

The Township of Warwick and Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership are organizing Farming Forward at the East Lambton Community Complex, 61 Centennial Ave. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 8:30 a.m., according to the organizers’ event submission.

Keynote speaker Maggie van Camp, co-founder and director of strategic change at Loft32 and a farmer, will speak about succession planning in a presentation called Your Farm, Your Future.

Jonathan Giret, founder and president of Elite Agri Solutions Inc., will discuss funding programs and preparing grant applications. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture will provide an agricultural policy update.

Diane and Al Bergsma, founders of Three Oaks Cabin near Florence, will discuss their respite cabin, which serves farmers and first responders.

Admission is $15 per person and includes a farm-to-table lunch catered by Personal Touch Eatery. The registration deadline is Nov. 23.

Registration information is available through the event page.