Guelph Organic Conference Scholarship

• Program (Not Required): Agriculture, Animal Science, Aquaculture, Biology, Environmental Sciences, First Nations Studies, Food Technology, Food and Nutrition, Forestry, Geology, Horticulture, or Urban Planning

Additional Notes

Become one of five conference Eco-Scholars and receive the following…

• $500 Honorarium
• An Organic Food & Wine Dinner Ticket
• Workshop Passes for Saturday & Sunday
• Incredible networking experiences with fellow Eco-Scholars, the Eco-Scholar Coordinator, sponsors and others.

In Addition:

Our 2020 Eco-Scholar sponsors (Erieview Acres Inc. & Organic Food Conferences Canada) have made it possible for us to give away an additional five free passes to the conference. 

WHO CAN APPLY

Applicants must be a registered student at a high school, community college or university (undergrad or grad) or recognized nutrition school located in Canada, and interested in organic food and agriculture.  (If successful, applicants may be required to provide proof of enrollment.)

Successful applicants are expected to:

• Attend the conference as follows:
  • Friday, January 24th, 2020  4pm to 8pm for the Organic Food & Wine Dinner
  • Saturday, January 25th, 2020  8am to 5pm for official photos, meeting with the coordinator and attending workshops
  • Sunday, January 26th, 2020  Attendance is recommended but not required.
• Provide a photo of themselves and/or high quality selfie for promotional use.
• Have their submission, in whole or in part, showcased online and/or in print.
• Be responsible for your own food, travel and accommodation arrangements.

APPLICATION PROCESS

We will begin accepting applications for the 2020 Conference on October 1st, 2019

The application deadline for the 2020 Conference is November 30th, 2019.

Successful applicants (winners) will be contacted late December / early January.

If successful applicants do not respond within 3 business days of being contacted, we reserve the right to choose an alternate winner.

If you apply but are not selected as an Eco-Scholar, consider volunteering as a means of attending the conference for free and to gain valuable networking opportunities.

Any additional questions please contact the Eco-Scholar Coordinator – Kim Bell, at [email protected]  Please be specific in what you need and also provide a phone number where you can be reached.  Please allow 3-5 business days for a response.

ABOUT US

Since 2003, the Annual Conference & Trade Show has been organized and promoted by a federal non-profit corporation – ‘Organic Food Conferences Canada’ – managed by representatives of 16 public sector non-profit organic groups (see Official Organizing Sponsors at the bottom of the SPONSORS page).

The goals of the conference are to promote organic agriculture and related topics through

• educational workshops and panel discussions
• showcasing products and services through the trade show
• connecting individuals, businesses and organizations within the sector

ORIGINS

This event started with a simple launch – an afternoon seminar dreamed up by a couple of grad students on the Guelph campus in the winter of 1982.

The student group “Guelph Ag. Alternatives” ran it for years, but it then became a larger and broader event when a coalition of non-profits assumed the management in 1992.

In the mid-1990’s, the Trade Show (such as it was at that time) could barely attract 35 booths because that was the state of the ‘organic industry.’ However, somewhere along the way (2001 or so), the Trade Show took off and suddenly there was so much demand from the organic market segment that it began to fill 70 Main Level spaces, eventually expanding to the Basement Level (Peter Clark Hall) with another 80 booths.  At that point, by 2008, it was completely filling the Guelph University Centre.

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

The event experienced its 30th annual staging in January 2011, when an entire generation shared its organic family experience (the 3-generation Manley family).  With the 31st annual, 2012 Conference, the event headed into its next 30-year generation of growth. This was accomplished by sowing the ‘Seeds of Co-operation’ which was a successful focus on the U.N.’s International Year of Co-operatives.

For 2013, the 32nd annual 4-day event included international speakers, seminars & intro workshops on key topics including, Genetically Engineered foods, organic production/certification, changing climates, permaculture concepts, sustainable buildings, farmland protection, food security and home microgreens.

From producer to consumer, the workshops offered something for everyone. PLUS, there was an Organic Tasting Fair with 150+ exhibitors (included 30+ food samplers) on Saturday/Sunday, free to the public. This became an opportunity to sample and purchase a wealth of organic, fair trade products.

CONTINUING TO GROW

Since 2014 the conference has continued to grow, welcoming new speakers each year and the Trade Show now includes over 160 tables.

Guelph welcomes everyone to take a mid-winter break at the University Centre.

This Conference always wants to be on the leading edge of the movement, so come out and see what’s new!