It has come to this correspondent’s attention—through channels both impeccably placed and delightfully well-tended—that London, Ontario shall host your annual conference in September 2026. A most fitting setting for such a cultivated gathering, where ink meets soil and discourse blooms as reliably as the season’s finest crop. This year’s theme, “Crowning Agchievements,” promises a regal celebration of agriculture’s finest contributions, from field to feature story.
I, Lady Cowbell, your esteemed official spokesperson, shall preside over proceedings with my customary pastoral authority. Expect ideas to germinate, conversations to flourish, and achievements to be duly crowned in spirited fashion. Until then, this correspondent shall observe with great interest—and not the faintest hint of dirt under the fingernails.
Yours in discerning observation,
Lady Cowbell of Middlesex
Crown Jewel Sponsor
London, Ontario and its surrounding region offer a rare blend of urban sophistication and richly productive agricultural landscape, making it an especially fitting host for those who tell the story of farming. Encircled by some of Southwestern Ontario’s most fertile farmland, the area is known for its thriving corn, soybean, and winter wheat production, alongside dairy, poultry, and specialty crop operations that reflect the diversity and resilience of Canadian agriculture. Rolling rural roads connect generations-old family farms with innovative agri-tech operations and research hubs, all set against a backdrop of fields of corn and pastures. Visitors will find that the rhythm of the countryside here is both grounded and dynamic—where early morning harvest activity, roadside farm stands, and seasonal harvest festivals coexist with forward-looking agricultural science and education.
Your conference headquarters at the Four Points by Sheraton London offers accommodations truly fit for a king and queen of agriculture—where comfort, convenience, and modern hospitality come together under one well-appointed roof. Guests can expect contemporary rooms designed for rest after a full day of sessions and field-side storytelling, along with on-site dining and lounge options perfect for informal conversations that often prove as valuable as the keynote address itself. With versatile meeting and conference spaces, the hotel is well equipped to host gatherings both grand and intimate, allowing ideas to be exchanged with ease and elegance.
Beyond the ballroom doors, attendees will find amenities designed to keep them refreshed and ready for the day ahead, including a fitness centre, welcoming communal spaces, and attentive service that ensures every detail runs as smoothly as a well-planned harvest. Situated conveniently within London, it provides a comfortable home base from which to explore the surrounding agricultural richness of the region—before returning to an atmosphere that balances professional purpose with well-earned relaxation.
Book your hotel room!
Four Points by Sheraton London
1150 Wellington Road, London
519-681-0600
Room rates: $179-$189
Book by Monday, August 17
Transportation
Let us know your travel plans and we will try to arrange carpooling from YYZ.
From Pearson International, Toronto
Robert Q Airbus
Onex Bus
Other options
From London Airport (YXU)
Transportation options
Via Rail (Ontario-Quebec corridor)
Thursday, September 17
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Transportation departs from Four Points By Sheraton London, please meet in the main hotel lobby.
London City Limits: Wind, Innovation & Legacy (Bus 1)
The first stop is the Wind Engineering, Energy and Environment (WindEEE) Research Institute at Western University, where participants will experience a simulated downburst and learn how researchers study extreme weather events and their impacts.
The second stop takes delegates to BASF’s London Research Farm, where attendees will hear about the latest agronomic innovations, crop research, and emerging technologies shaping the future of agriculture. Lunch will be hosted on-site.
The final stop is Stanton Farms near Ilderton, a family-run operation milking 1,000 Holstein cows. The Stanton family has built a reputation for excellence in dairy genetics and innovation, earning Master Breeder Shields and launching Stanton Genetics Inc. in 2021. Participants will also learn about the farm’s leadership in sustainability, including its biogas facility, which made Stanton Farms Ontario’s first agriculture-based renewable natural gas supplier in 2022 by converting on-farm and community organic waste into carbon-neutral fuel.
Lake District: Rows, Roots & Bleats (Bus 2)
The Rows, Roots & Bleats Tour takes you south, towards Lake Erie, where we’ll start the day at VanQuaethem Farms and Grain Elevator. This family operation grows cash crops, fresh vegetables, and offers a full-service elevator. Our tour then heads over to King Lake Farms to discover the patience and precision behind growing premium ginseng — a crop that takes years to perfect. Our next stop is the Howe Family Farm, believed to be the oldest family-run strawberry farm in Ontario, counting five generations. We’ll enjoy lunch at their farm market. Our day wraps up at the Donkers Family Farm, home to over 1,000 milking goats.
Sponsored by:
North Tour: Grains, Trains & Boats (Bus 3)
Take the tour north from London to learn about Ontario crops, the infrastructure that supports them and a local social media star.
We’ll stop at a major elevator and crop exporter, then visit the Port of Goderich. A rare railway still runs into the port, where Ontario grain is loaded on ships to move through the Great Lakes system and then on for export, mostly to Europe.
From Goderich we’ll head to Perth County to meet husband and wife farmers Mark and Sandi Brock. The Brocks run a progressive crop farm and also have a significant sheep operation. Sandi, with her Sheepishly Me brand, has more than a million subscribers on YouTube.
Sponsored by:
South Tour: Seeds, Sprouts & Orchards (Bus 4)
Attendees will board the bus in London and travel south to Chatham-Kent to explore the uniqueness niches of Southwestern Ontario agriculture.
Explore a tender fruit farm growing apples and pears, Corteva Agriscience’s production facility including their seed treatment plant and research plots, and a farm growing a wide variety of produce including brussels sprouts, peppers and green beans.
Tour attendees are asked to wear closed toe shoes, and all other PPE will be provided.
Note: tour stops are subject to change.
Wednesday, September 16
4 – 6 p.m. Registration
Main lobby, Four Points Sheraton
Arriving early? Let us know, and we’ll arrange for a pay-your-own-way dinner/social.
Thursday, September 17
| 7 a.m. – all day | Registration Main lobby outside of London |
| 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Pre-tour: Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show Meet in hotel lobby, shuttle to depart from front of hotel |
| 7 p.m. | Welcome reception |
| Late night | Hospitality Suite Kensington room |
Friday, September 18
| 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. | Registration Main lobby outside of London |
| 6:30 a.m. – 8 a.m. | Breakfast London room |
| 7:30 a.m. – 8 a.m. | Buses load and depart from front of hotel |
| 5 p.m. | Buses return to Four Points Sheraton |
| 6:30 p.m. | Supper & Cards dinner at Four Points Sheraton Bristol room |
| Late night | Hospitality Suite Kensington room |
Saturday, September 19
| 7 a.m. | Breakfast Bristol C |
| 8:30 a.m. | CFWF Town Hall Bristol C |
| 9 a.m. | Panel Discussion: Ontario Agriculture Overview. Hear from OFA, NFU, and CFFO panelists on the issues, opportunities and overview of Ontario’s agriculture industry. Bristol C |
| 10 a.m. | Break |
| 10:30 a.m. | Panel Discussion: Emerging Ag Technologies Moderated by John Greig with panelists from BinSentry, Upside Robotics and others. Bristol C |
| Noon | Lunch |
| 1 p.m. | Three breakout sessions will be offered. Choose from: Writing in the age of AI, Digital photo/video techniques and file storage, or Statistics Canada: Census of Ag. Workshop locations: Bristol C, London A, London B |
| 2:30 p.m. | Break |
| 3 p.m. | Panel Discussion: Youth Engagement in Agriculture Hear from 4H, AgScape, Jr. Farmers, Canada Youth Council panelists on youth engagement in agriculture. Bristol C |
| 4 p.m. | Break |
| 5:30 p.m. | Pre-banquet reception |
| 6:30 p.m. | Royal Banquet Bristol C |
| 8 p.m. | CFWF Awards Bristol C |
| 9 p.m. | Entertainment: The GMOs Bristol C |
| 10:30 p.m. | Hospitality Suite Kensington room |
Note: the agenda is still in draft form and subject to change.
Registration is now open!
Register by August 1 to receive the early-bird discount!
$350 for CFWF, IFAJ, and CAMA members
$425 non-members
As of August 2
$400 for CFWF, IFAJ, and CAMA members
$475 for non-members
Rachel Telford, Chair
Mary Feldskov, Registration & logistics
Joanne Tichborne, Sponsorship
Barb Keith, Awards
Hugh Maynard, Finance
Tour coordinators:
Brianne Curtis
John Greig
Sharon Grose
Lauren Miller
Kristy Nudds
Christa Ormiston
Don Stoneman
Clare Wooding
