Watford, ON – The Township of Warwick and the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership arehosting Farming Forward on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at the East LambtonCommunity Complex in Watford. The forum will give agricultural producers andfarm families from across Lambton County an opportunity to hear from speakerson succession planning, funding programs, agricultural policy, and mentalhealth.
Maggie van Camp, Co-Founder and Director ofStrategic Change at Loft32, will deliver the keynote presentation, Your Farm,Your Future. A farmer and former National Director of Agriculture at BDO, vanCamp will discuss approaches to succession planning and the conversations thathelp families make decisions about their farm’s future.
“Succession planning is an important businessconsideration for many farm families in Sarnia-Lambton, and is critical to notjust positive outcomes for farm owners, but also to the sustainability ofagriculture as a key economic sector in Lambton County,” said MatthewSlotwinski, CEO of Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership. “This forum givesproducers, processors, farm businesses and agricultural stakeholders access toexperience and advice they can draw on as they plan for their operations,explore funding, and prepare for a transition.”
Jonathan Giret, Founder and President ofElite Agri Solutions, Inc., will present The Grant Landscape of Farmers. Hissession will cover funding programs available to farmers and how to preparestrong grant applications. Giret brings nearly a decade of experience workingwith farmers, agribusinesses, and industry partners on farm safety, regulatorycompliance, and funding.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture willprovide agricultural policy updates. Diane and Al Bergsma, founders of ThreeOaks Cabin near Florence, Ontario, will also speak about mental health supportfor farmers and their work providing a respite space for farmers and firstresponders.
“Agriculture is the largest sector in WarwickTownship,” said Stephanie Cattrysse, Economic Development and CommunicationsOfficer for the Township of Warwick. “With 40% of Canadian farmers set toretire over the next decade and only 12% holding a written succession plan,this event is incredibly timely. We want to make sure our producers have aclear roadmap for the future, including access to mental health supports andgrant programs to help their businesses grow. Along with the presentations,there will be time to ask questions, catch up with neighbours, and speak withother farm families facing similar decisions.”
The forum will conclude with a farm-to-tableluncheon catered by Chef Paresh Thakkar of Personal Touch Eatery and featuringingredients from local producers.
Event details:
For more information and to register, visit https://www.sarnialambton.on.ca/events/farming-forward
Farming Forward is presented by the Townshipof Warwick and the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership. The organizers thanklead sponsors Bluewater Power and Lambton Mutual Insurance Company, and coffeebreak sponsor Enbridge, for their support.
About the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership:
Sarnia-LambtonEconomic Partnership (SLEP) is the lead economic development agency for theSarnia-Lambton area. Funded by the County of Lambton, we focus on promoting thedistinct advantages Sarnia-Lambton proudly offers companies and residents. Bycoordinating community-based economic development initiatives and maintaining acommercially attractive environment, we foster new business creation, helpensure that established firms remain and grow here, and work to attract growingbusinesses to the Sarnia-Lambton area.
For Media Inquiries:
Arianne Garcia
Marketing & Communications Manager
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
(519) 332 1820 ext 225
arianne@sarnialambton.on.ca
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