The Rural Symposium is an annual opportunity for University of Guelph graduate students to showcase their rural research to staff from the provincial government, rural community leaders, businesses, and researchers. The event facilitates knowledge mobilization and network building between graduate students at the University of Guelph, rural communities, governments, and businesses.

 The event is co-hosted by the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, and the Government of Ontario.