About

The FarmSmart organization started in 1998 as a conference only event geared to help educate farmers on new topics that might assist them to develop their farming operations. Our FarmSmart philosophy is to attract all producers, whether your farm focus and interest is cropping and nutrient management or if you’re a livestock producer. FarmSmart is brought to you by the Golden Horseshoe and Heartland Regional Soil & Crop Improvement Associations in partnership with the Ontario Agricultural College, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and various agri-business partners through our conference and Expo sponsors and trade show attendees. If not for this joint venture, and the gracious assistance of our sponsors, FarmSmart would not be what it is today.

In the summer of 2004 a summer Expo was added to the FarmSmart venue. Now, twice annually, there are FarmSmart events, a conference in January held at the campus of the University of Guelph, and the Expo hosted at the University's Elora Research Station. In both cases the events encourage farm family's to attend, offering events at the Conference for spouses and youth and in the summer hosting members of 4-H from across Ontario during the Expo event. The organizations goal, by inviting youth, is to promote agronomy and livestock skills to Ontario youth, so they can take on a more active role on their farms. This will encourage long term interest in Ontario Agriculture, keeping our sector strong locally for the future.

Since it was first introduced the FarmSmart Conference has grown exponentially, attracting over 900 people to the January 2011 event. Attendees come to participate in a wide range of topics pertinent to modern agriculture. As part of the conference venue speakers are sought out to address present and emerging technologies and innovations across a range of subjects. Sessions are offered on crop and livestock production, soil and environmental management, business, marketing, and general interest topics. But we also welcome input from our attendees to assist in bringing to future events what might be of concern to you and the farming community.

With an interest of always providing value and new opportunities for attendees, in 2011 Beef Symposium joined FarmSmart offering participants a dedicated stream focusing exclusively on sessions of interest to our Ontario beef producers. This partnership continues for 2012.

For family members not attending the conference lectures, there are varied activities of interest. For youth, aged 10 to 18 years of age, there are a wide variety of hands-on activities and a university campus tour for those that might see Guelph in the future educational plans.

For those attending the FarmSmart program events that are Certified Crop Advisors, continuing education credits are granted for specific topics helping to further their knowledge base and raise the level of farming standards.

If you are part of the agriculture business sector your continued support to the FarmSmart organization has been paramount to allow us to offer these events. If your part of the agriculture business sector and have not yet been involved but would like to please check our contacts for how to be involved.

We want to welcome you to the FarmSmart organization and the events that help us to help Ontario farm smart.