On the heels of the recent TORC Conference 2008: "Leading the Rural Renaissance", TORC has become a partner in a new program aimed at providing "leadership and learning opportunities" for our next generation of rural leaders.
Funding for the new program will come from the Government of Canada, which has earmarked $1.1 million over five years.
"This truly is an exciting collaboration, " notes TORC Executive Director Harold Flaming, "with the intention of making a long lasting difference in rural Ontario. Strong leadership is a critical community asset. By investing in the continued development of leaders in the agricultural and rural sectors it will allow us to compete globally and achieve the overall goal of vibrant and prosperous rural community living."
The announcement was made at the Stratford conference of the Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations (OACFDC). Local Member of Parlliament (MP) Gary Schellenberger made the announcement on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). Program funding will be administered through the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC).
"Partnering with others towards common goals and objectives is an integral part of each of the four organizations involved in this project," said TCRL Executive Director Rob Black at the launch. "Collaborating on the delivery of the initiatives will strengthen the overall project."
The Ontario Rural Council
Ontario AgriCentre
100 Stone Road West, Suite 109
Guelph, Ontario Canada N1G 5L3 T 519.826.4128, F 519.826.3408 Etell-me-more@torc.on.ca
