Day 1 - Friday February 5

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8:00am-9:00am - Registration and Coffee

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9:00am-9:30pm - Welcome and Acknowledgements from NOFIA

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9:30am-10:45am - Policy Pulse: Navigating Federal and Provincial Policy Shifts

Agricultural policy is evolving at both the federal and provincial levels, bringing new compliance requirements, funding landscapes, and risk-management frameworks for farm businesses. This session cuts through the legislative jargon to provide a clear, practical breakdown of recent policy changes and what they mean day-to-day for Northern Ontario producers. Join the agricultural policy experts and industry representatives as we analyze the latest updates to business risk management programs, environmental regulations, and funding streams designed to support innovation and resilience in the North. 

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10:45am-11:15am - Networking Break

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11:15am-12:30pm - Stream A - Rethinking Tile Drainage

Water management is one of the most impactful investments a farm can make to optimize soil health, improve timeliness of field operations, and secure consistent yields. However, planning and installing tile drainage in Northern Ontario involves unique soil profiles, topography, and hydrological challenges. Moving beyond traditional drainage, modern systems are evolving into smart, data-driven tools that balance peak productivity with advance environmental stewardship. This session examines the fundamentals of effective tile drainage design, innovative low-cost sensor technologies, sub-irrigation strategies, and long-term water management tailored to northern conditions. Join drainage specialists and experienced producers as we break down how to approach a tile project from initial assessment to environmental stewardship. 

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11:15am-12:30pm - Stream B - Local Food Hubs & Regional Infrastructure in Northern Ontario

Building a resilient Northern food system requires more than just growing great food - it demands the infrastructure to aggregate, store, process, and distribute it efficiently. Across Northern Ontario, food hubs are emerging as critical linchpins for scaling local value chains, reducing logistical bottlenecks, and connecting regional producers directly to markets. This session explores how collaborative distribution models and localized food hubs are overcoming northern geographic challenges, creating new economic opportunities for growers, and strengthening regional food security. 

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12:30pm-1:30pm - Lunch

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1:15pm-2:15pm - Stream A - Tracking the Threat: Clubroot in Canola

As canola production continues to evolve across Northern Ontario, managing soil-borne diseases has become a top priority for protecting crop yields and long-term soil health. This session presents a look at the findings from the comprehensive regional soil sampling and field survey completed Summer and Fall 2026. Join us review the current spread of clubroot across northern growing districts, share insights on pathogen behavior in heavy northern soils, and discuss mitigation strategies to help producers safeguard their fields.

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1:15pm-2:15pm - Stream B - Building your Farm Brand Online (Workshop)

Whether you're selling direct-to-consumer, launching a value-added product, or looking to expand your wholesale reach, a strong digital presence is essential for modern farm businesses. But with endless social platforms and limited time during the busy season, where should you focus your energy? This practical workshop cuts through the noise to show you how to build an authentic, professional online brand that resonates with customers and tells the unique story of your northern operation. Join us as we explore straightforward, high-impact digital marketing strategies designed specifically for busy farmers and agri-entrepreneurs. 

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2:30pm-3:15pm - Networking Break​

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3:30pm-4:45pm - Stream A - Rooted in Resilience: Indigenous Food Sovereignty and Innovations in the North

From ancient land stewardship and watershed restoration to high-tech geodesic greenhouses and grassroots community gardens, Indigenous-led initiatives are spearheading Northern Ontario's food systems. This panel brings together leading researchers and community changemakers to explore how traditional knowledge is combining with modern science and infrastructure to overcome northern geographic and climatic hurdles. Join us for an inspiring story on how these diverse projects are reclaiming food sovereignty, revitalizing traditional ecosystems, and building long-term health and economic resilience in Northern Ontario. 

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3:30pm-4:45pm - Stream B - Bridging the Gap: Veterinary Access, Incentives, and the Future of Animal Care in the North

Access to reliable, timely veterinary care is a cornerstone of a healthy livestock sector and vibrant rural communities, yet Northern Ontario faces acute shortages that threaten farm sustainability. This dynamic session examines the current landscape of northern veterinary access, looking at the structural challenges producers face, the financial and policy tools designed to bridge the gap, and the group-up educational pathways being built to secure a sustainable future for the region. Join our panel of veterinarians, practitioners, and students as they explore what it truly takes to recruit, retain, and train veterinary professionals for the north. 

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5:00pm-6:00pm - Happy Hour!

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6:00pm-7:30pm - Dinner is served

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7:30pm-8:00pm - Presentation of Youth Bursary and Innovative Farmer Award

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8:00pm-9:00pm - Live Auction

 

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Day 2 - Saturday February 6

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8:00am-9:00am - Coffee and Networking, Opening of Trade Show​​

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9:00am-10:15am - Stream A - Hidden Opportunities of the North: Flocks & Frost

The demand for locally raised meat and eggs is surging across Northern Ontario, opening up exciting new avenues for small-scale and diversified growers. But stepping into poultry production requires navigating a unique landscape of climate realities, quota structures, and regional infrastructure gaps. This session dives into the realities of Northern poultry production, comparing the economics and logistics of a backyard-scale flock vs scaling up to a commercial artisanal volume.

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9:00am-10:15am - Stream B - Practical Innovations: Innovative Women of the North & the SNAPP Impact

Across Northern Ontario, women are driving remarkable diversification, value-added processing, and technological adoption within the agricultural sector. This inspiring panel highlights real-world innovation in action, showcasing how female entrepreneurs are leveraging the SNAPP program to scale their operations, create new regional products, and build resilient farm businesses. Join us for a dynamic conversation focusing on how targeted cost-share funding and equipment investments turn creative agricultural concepts into commercial realities, featuring the personal stories, challenges, and successes of leading women in northern agriculture. 

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10:15am-11:00am - Networking Break

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11:00am-12:30pm - Eyes in the Sky: The Future of Drones in Northern Agriculture 

From precision crop scouting and multispectral health mapping to the rapid expansion of aerial application, unmanned aerial vehicles are changing the way farmers manage their fields. But how does drone technology fit into the unique topography, climate, and vast distances of Northern Ontario? This forward-looking panel brings together active regional drone operators and leading agricultural researchers to examine the real-world utility, current regulatory frontiers, and future potential of drones on northern prodcuer fields. Join us as we explore how aerial tech is overcoming northern logistical challenges, reducing soil compaction, and opening up new efficiences for crop and pasture management. 

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12:30pm-12:45pm - Closing Remarks from NOFIA

 

Please note that the session topics as well as the times may change as we get closer to the conference. Check back often to see the most up-do-date information.
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