Blue Mountain

Conference 2017

A6: Agriculture, Tourism & Economic Development: Building a Policy Framework and Relationships in Grey County

October 03, 2017

11:00am-12:00pm, continuing 1:00pm-4:00pm

$25 Additional Fee, Pre-registration Required

11:00-12:00 SESSION:
This session will focus on the local policy framework which supports agriculture and related tourism, and economic development within the County of Grey. Examples will include such initiatives as the bootlegger’s run trail, and the first Meaford Tourism Strategic Plan, as well as the very popular Meaford Big Red Chair tour, which encourages visitors to explore the municipal landscapes. Through a poll of participants, panelists will tailor the presentation, providing an opportunity to offer more detail about Meaford’s new (Rural) Economic Community Improvement Plan or Community & Urban Agriculture By-law, or unique economic development initiatives. Following the presentation, panelists will lead participants on a tour of Grey County agriculturally-related tourism and economic development initiatives.

Learning Objectives:

Understanding the local enabling policy for agriculture and related tourism and diversified-uses, which may be transferrable to other local context.
Gaining knowledge about local food infrastructure in relation to sustainability and resiliency.
Gaining knowledge about several unique examples of local economic development tools (and initiatives which may be transferrable to other local contexts).
Understanding the opportunities and challenges faced by local food producers when operations become successful, and they wish to expand or diversify.

12:00-1:00 LUNCH

1:15-4:00 MOBILE WORKSHOP:

Following the presentation, panelists will lead participants on a tour designed to build upon and illustrate the discussions around agriculturally-related tourism and economic development initiatives in Grey County. The tour will include a tasting at a local on-farm winery; a stop at a local farm-market and will finish off with a tour and tasting at a local Cider House & Brewery. Don’t forget to bring your camera, the vistas are breathtaking!