2026 Annual Conference and Speakers' Program - Farm & Food Care

Farm & Food Care Ontario’s (FFCO) Annual General Meeting and Annual Conference returns on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the GrandWay Events Centre in Elora.

This year’s theme, Farming in Focus: Real Stories, Real Impact, highlights the power of authentic agricultural storytelling to build public trust and strengthen the connection between farms and consumers.

The conference will feature a dynamic lineup of speakers shaping how agriculture is shared with the public, including keynote speaker, presented by FCC, Tyler Heppell (Potato Ty), a fifth-generation farmer and social media creator who will share how digital platforms can turn everyday farm life into engaging, educational content.

Attendees will also hear from the creators of the Canadian comedy series The Cows Come Home, presented by Caldwell Securities, who will explore how cinematic storytelling and humour can bring farming realities to life for wider audiences.

A farmer panel will round out the program, featuring Ontario producers involved in agri-tourism and on-farm events, discussing how storytelling and education enhance visitor experiences and support meaningful public engagement.

Highlights of the day will include:

Taste of Ontario lunch presented by Ontario Mutuals
Food & Farming Champion Award presentation
Overview of FFCO Initiatives: Gain insight into FFCO’s achievements and future plans for advancing agriculture and food awareness.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your digital presence, enhance on-farm experiences, or advocate more effectively for Ontario agriculture, this conference will offer practical tools and real-world insights to help you share your story with confidence.