R2R24 · Pathways to Practice
R2R24 archive · October 16–18, 2024
Original conference information, preserved for reference.
Why Pathways to Practice?
The CCRC is committed to its contribution to a strong Canadian rural voice through collaboration, dialogue, and building collective wisdom. This year’s conference provides a space and place to explore our differences together and highlight various formats on how we can listen, learn, and collaborate.
P2P is an eagerly anticipated element of the conference as it showcases projects, research, policy and other initiatives currently happening in our rural communities, organizations, and learning centres. P2P is a partnership project that includes the Economic Development Council of Ontario (EDCO), the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD) at the University of Guelph, Memorial University, University of Waterloo, and the CCRC.
What to expect
Pathways to Practice (P2P) takes place on Day 3, Friday, October 18th, and runs from 9:30 – 11:30 am.
P2P presenters will present their work, engage in dialogue, and connect with delegates. The 12 stations will be spread around the community hall. Delegates will move from table to table during these 2 hours.
Specifically, P2P offers the opportunity for presenters and delegates to:
- Share ideas through an economic lens – ideas that are working in rural communities now and can be adapted or adopted in another place
- Explore contemporary research connected to that work
- Bring multiple generations/organizations together to discuss their commitment to community
- Present government programs by those who had a hand in it. Programs that support projects to keep the EC DEV ball rolling in rural community development
- Showcase collaboration ‘in action’ among practitioners, researchers, and organizations
We are excited to share the lineup!
The 12 stations
STATION 1 · LABOUR FORCE ATTRACTION
Location: BACK STAGE LEFT THEATRE
Learn about the Hanover Innovative People Program (HIPP) that drives recruitment and retention of people, businesses and investments to the community. It infuses creativity, culture, and business with tools to accelerate Hanover to the next level.
Coupled with research from Seaforth, ON – a ‘Business Walk’ – that gathered the stories of main street businesses. What are the challenges & opportunities before them and what goals and dreams do they hold?
Coupled with research from Seaforth, ON – a ‘Business Walk’ – that gathered the stories of main street businesses. What are the challenges & opportunities before them and what goals and dreams do they hold?
Presenters
EDCO MEMBER
April Marshall
Economic Development Manager
Hanover County
Email
Conference BIO
RESEARCHER
Paul Sitsofe, MSc. student, SEDRD, University of Guelph
Email
Conference BIO
April Marshall
Economic Development Manager
Hanover County
Conference BIO
RESEARCHER
Paul Sitsofe, MSc. student, SEDRD, University of Guelph
Conference BIO
STATION 2 · FOOD SECURITY & RESILIENCE
Location: THE LINK
An Emergency Food Plan launched in Thunder Bay inspired similar programs in Simcoe and Wellington Counties with exciting results. Do you have an emergency food plan for your community? Learn how a grant over four years helped to develop an emergency food plan based on a circular economy came to fruition – and how it’s still roaring ahead. A shareable idea extraordinaire.
Presenters
EDCO MEMBER
Justine Dainard
Wellington County
Email
Conference BIO
RESEARCHER
Steven Clarke
SEDRD, University of Guelph
Email
REGISTERED DIETITIAN/ COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Courtney O’Neill
Centre Wellington Community Foundation
Email
Justine Dainard
Wellington County
Conference BIO
RESEARCHER
Steven Clarke
SEDRD, University of Guelph
REGISTERED DIETITIAN/ COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Courtney O’Neill
Centre Wellington Community Foundation
STATION 3 · FROM DENMARK TO CANADA: HOW A SMALL RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPED A SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATED ENERGY SYSTEM
Location: THE LINK
An economic/climate change development project in Skive, Denmark, is turning heads internationally and in rural places.
GreenLab is a green and circular industrial park built on the belief that the energy system of the future is an integrated energy system – improving the way renewable energy is produced, transformed, stored, and utilized. Delegates can explore how this green and circular system can find a home right here in rural Ontario with the Mayor of Central Huron.
GreenLab is a green and circular industrial park built on the belief that the energy system of the future is an integrated energy system – improving the way renewable energy is produced, transformed, stored, and utilized. Delegates can explore how this green and circular system can find a home right here in rural Ontario with the Mayor of Central Huron.
Presenters
COMMERCIAL ADVISOR
Alex Ripley
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
Email
MAYOR
Jim Ginn
Mayor of Central Huron
Email
Conference BIO
Alex Ripley
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
MAYOR
Jim Ginn
Mayor of Central Huron
Conference BIO
STATION 4 · THE EVOLVING NATURE OF AGRICULTURE IN THE 21st CENTURY
Location: MAIN STAGE THEATRE
What does….
-Economics on the farm
– Food security
-Farming and the community
-Farming and nature
-Rural and urban connections
… mean to you?
Join rural planner/scholar Wayne Caldwell as he leads a discussion with a crowd of other fine ruralists making a difference in Rural Ontario. A rural talks to rural in the best sense of the word(s).
-Economics on the farm
– Food security
-Farming and the community
-Farming and nature
-Rural and urban connections
… mean to you?
Join rural planner/scholar Wayne Caldwell as he leads a discussion with a crowd of other fine ruralists making a difference in Rural Ontario. A rural talks to rural in the best sense of the word(s).
Presenters
FARMER/PLANNER/
SCHOLAR
Wayne Caldwell (he/him)
Professor Emeritus, University of Guelph
Email
Conference BIO
LOCAL FARMER & SCHOLAR
Kate Procter (she/her)
Email
Conference BIO
RURAL PLANNER/ RESEARCHER
Regan Zink (she/her)
OMAFA & Rural Studies student, University of Guelph
Email
Conference BIO
FARMER/
RESEARCHER
Dean Orr (he/him)
Organic & Conventional Farmer, RPD Student, University of Guelph
Email
Conference BIO
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Martin Straathof (he/they)
Ontario Farmland Trust
Email
Conference BIO
CAPACITY DEVELOPER & COMMUNITY FARM COORDINATOR
Kiana Simmons (they/them), Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Email
Conference BIO
SCHOLAR
Wayne Caldwell (he/him)
Professor Emeritus, University of Guelph
Conference BIO
LOCAL FARMER & SCHOLAR
Kate Procter (she/her)
Conference BIO
RURAL PLANNER/ RESEARCHER
Regan Zink (she/her)
OMAFA & Rural Studies student, University of Guelph
Conference BIO
FARMER/
RESEARCHER
Dean Orr (he/him)
Organic & Conventional Farmer, RPD Student, University of Guelph
Conference BIO
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Martin Straathof (he/they)
Ontario Farmland Trust
Conference BIO
CAPACITY DEVELOPER & COMMUNITY FARM COORDINATOR
Kiana Simmons (they/them), Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Conference BIO
STATION 5 · DESTINATION NORTH: ECONOMICS, TOURISM & COLLABORATION
Location: THE LINK
From our neighbours in the north, we take a look at unique partnerships and collaborations that built a tourism model that is still going strong. How a town and country connection, that started with a note on the back of a napkin, brought together tourism operators, professionals and destinations at a local, regional and global level. You will also hear how tourism research impacted economic development in South Algonquin and Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan. This station is all over the map – in a very good way – stop in and pick up some adaptable ideas for your community.
Presenters
STATION 6 · SUCCESSION PLANNING FOR THE HURON COUNTY FARM
Location: LOWER HALL
Using podcast interviews to get the succession planning discussion started was only one of the techniques Huron County used to engage those in the silver tsunami and their family members. Reluctant farm owner/operators are putting billions of capital assets at risk during one of the largest exchanges of wealth from one generation to the next that we have ever experienced in our history. Learn about the challenges facing this transition of farm knowledge and assets and the opportunities to foster greater understanding and more successful transitions. Farm succession cuts across economics, family, traditions, selling out to investors and sometimes losing connection to our home communities. Explore opportunities to learn more about rural research concerning succession planning across the country.
Presenters
EDCO MEMBER
Vicki Lass
Director of Economic Development, Huron County
Email
Conference BIO
PROFESSOR & SCHOLAR
Ryan Gibson
SEDRD, University of Guelph
Email
Conference BIO
Vicki Lass
Director of Economic Development, Huron County
Conference BIO
PROFESSOR & SCHOLAR
Ryan Gibson
SEDRD, University of Guelph
Conference BIO
STATION 7 · WELCOMING, · ATTRACTING & RETAINING SKILLED FOREIGN WORKERS IN ONTARIO
Location: ART GALLERY
A collection of stories from the newcomer/immigrant community – stories that speak to the experience of newcomers to Wellington County. Research will also be presented on the settlement and integration of refugee women in other rural and small towns across Ontario. Hear about the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) which recognizes the importance of immigration in addressing the workforce needs of employers in Ontario and across Canada.
Presenters
EDCO MEMBER
Anuradha Dam
Economic Development Officer, Wellington County
Email
Conference BIO
RESEARCHER
Rana Telfah
SEDRD, University of Guelph
Email
PROGRAM ADVISOR
Meaghan Edwards
Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development
Email
Conference BIO
Anuradha Dam
Economic Development Officer, Wellington County
Conference BIO
RESEARCHER
Rana Telfah
SEDRD, University of Guelph
PROGRAM ADVISOR
Meaghan Edwards
Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development
Conference BIO
STATION 8 · HOW’S YOUR RURAL HEALTH?
Location: LOWER HALL
Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health started as an idea – an idea that came from a health centre in rural Kentucky. From there it has developed into its own healthcare model that could inspire something similar in your community. It is a model that successfully links health research, education, evidence-based practice, and economic development through innovation. Through health research, we improve health care and healthcare delivery. Through innovation in rural health research, education, and business we attract healthcare professionals. Alongside community partners we create an economic driver for a rural health and knowledge-based economy. Come on by and learn how.
Presenters
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gwen Devereaux
Gateway CERH
Email
Conference BIO
GATEWAY STUDENT RESEARCHERS
Neelia Lewis
Meagan Tamming
Sage Milne
Gwen Devereaux
Gateway CERH
Conference BIO
GATEWAY STUDENT RESEARCHERS
Neelia Lewis
Meagan Tamming
Sage Milne
STATION 9 · FROM THE ROCK: PLACED-BASED DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL NFLD & LABRADOR
Location: LOWER HALL
Learn how a cottage hospital in rural Norris Point on the doorstep of Gros Morne National Park was transformed into a local cultural and heritage centre. Built around arts, crafts, music, and oral history and given plenty of room to evolve there’s now a community radio station, recording studio, a kitchen for all occasions, and rooms to let as this wondrous project continues to evolve. It’s still a centre for the promotion of health and wellness using art, culture, and stories as medicine and it is once again the heart and soul of the community. From Memorial University a researcher will be talking about place-based development in rural, Island, and remote regions, and from the world of Documentary and Education notions of identity, place, and process will be explored through the mixed L’nu (Mi’kmaw) and European heritage. This station could be the hospitality suite of P2P.
Presenters
PROFESSOR & SCHOLAR
Kelly Vodden
Memorial University
Email
Conference BIO
OWNER & OPERATOR
Joanie Cranston
Norris Point & Cottage Hospital Community Centre
Email
Conference BIO
FILMMAKER & EDUCATOR
Evan Butler
College of the North Atlantic
Email
Conference BIO
Kelly Vodden
Memorial University
Conference BIO
OWNER & OPERATOR
Joanie Cranston
Norris Point & Cottage Hospital Community Centre
Conference BIO
FILMMAKER & EDUCATOR
Evan Butler
College of the North Atlantic
Conference BIO
STATION 10 · TWO ROW ON THE GRAND + THE VOICE OF THE RIVER
Location: ART GALLERY
The Two Row on the Grand is a canoe paddle that happens over 10 days on the Grand River every summer for the past 10 years. It is an embodiment of a 400-year-old Two Row Wampum – an original peace treaty between indigenous and settler communities. The Voice of the River in its 3rd year of development will culminate in August of 2025 with a production that will play in communities from the headwaters, across the watershed, and like the Two Row, culminate at the mouth of the Grand River at Lake Erie. Both are cultural experiences that bring people together to share stories, build community, and come to an understanding of the others we share the place with. RTO4 (Regional Tourism Organization 4) will offer insights into regenerative tourism and how their Histories Project brought us together. Research from the University of Waterloo will be presented that speaks to both projects and offers this: ‘to go far, we go together – let’s invite the talents of many and move at the speed of trust.”
Presenters
STATION 11 · OMAFA UPDATE: RESIDENT RETENTION & ATTRACTION
Location: LOWER HALL
The Ontario government is updating the Community Immigration Retention in Rural Ontario (CIRRO) program. The updated program will focus on the retention and attraction of residents in rural communities through a strategic community approach.
Visit the Ontario booth to engage with us about :
– Community Readiness
– Your Current & Future Projects
– Hosting Community Conversation
– Best Practices & Next Steps
Visit the Ontario booth to engage with us about :
– Community Readiness
– Your Current & Future Projects
– Hosting Community Conversation
– Best Practices & Next Steps
Presenters
ECONOMIC & BUSINESS ADVISOR
Serena Viola (She/Her/Elle)
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Agribusiness
Email
Conference BIO
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR & SCHOLAR
Dr. Sara Epp
Rural Planning & Development,
University of Guelph
Email
Conference BIO
Serena Viola (She/Her/Elle)
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Agribusiness
Conference BIO
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR & SCHOLAR
Dr. Sara Epp
Rural Planning & Development,
University of Guelph
Conference BIO
STATION 12 · PITCH IT/ TRY IT/ MOVE IT: MAINSTREET REVITALIZATION IN MINTO
Location: LOWER HALL
From the energy behind a plan to revitalize Minto and how it’s going to the resources and strategies that moved it along – to the power of innovative thinking. The research on rural downtown transformation connected to youth, a collaboration between a business park and mainstreet – with a strong mix of passion and hope.
Presenters
DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Belinda Wick-Graham
Town of Minto
Email
Conference BIO
RESEARCHER
Luc Berek
SEDRD, University of Guelph
Email
Belinda Wick-Graham
Town of Minto
Conference BIO
RESEARCHER
Luc Berek
SEDRD, University of Guelph