Chatham-Kent farmers and growers have the opportunity to gain insight on a variety of agriculture-related topics at a conference coming to Ridgetown in January.
The SouthWest Agriculture Conference (SWAC) will be held at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus on January 3 and 4, 2018 to celebrate its 25th anniversary, which recognizes “A Legacy of Agricultural Excellence.”
There will be two high-profile Canadian feature speakers at the conference: Canadian Olympian and Amazing Race Canada host Jon Montgomery and retired Lieutenant General Roméo Dallaire.
The event showcases over 40 sessions, delivered by top experts in the field, for growers to learn about a variety of agriculture-related topics. The conference will also include a traditional trade show and a Taste Ontario reception.
"We have an absolutely outstanding lineup of speakers! Everything from precision agriculture, through to corn production, soybean production, wheat production, tillage, you name it! We've got great speakers and the latest research information to share!" says SWAC Program Co-Chair Peter Johnson.
He says Chatham-Kent is the perfect location to hold the conference with its large agricultural community.
"We have big impact both on phosphorus going to great lakes -- that's another topic that we'll be covering... trying to keep that phosphorus at home... all the way to the fact that if we're not profitable, then everybody suffers. There's a huge spin-off benefit of agriculture, so it's critical that we have conferences like this in the area," he says.
Johnson says it is "probably the best conference in the Great Lakes Basin."
"We're absolutely trying to make growers more economically profitable and also, more environmentally sustainable. Those are the two key focuses of the conference. We've always sort of focused in on those parameters and this year is no different," says Johnson.
Johnson says spots for the conference fill up quickly, so those interested should register as soon as possible. Registration is available until December 15 through the website, phone, fax or mail.
The full program and schedule for the conference can be found online. The conference brochure will also be featured in the November 7 edition of the Ontario Farmer.
