Women’s Grain Symposium

Join us at the 2026 Women’s Grain Symposium

December 8-9, 2026
Crowne Plaza Kitchener
105 King St. East, Kitchner, ON, N2G 2K8

Making Connections

Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Women’s Grain Symposium is an opportunity for networking, professional development, and leadership development.

The Women’s Grain Symposium is open to women who are grain farmers, active members of their family grain operation, or working within the grain sector of agriculture business with a direct connection to farmers.

Cost: $150

Hotel accommodation is included for grain farmers.

Please note agriculture industry professionals must book and pay for their own hotel room. A discounted room block is available at this link: Agriculture Industry Professional Room Block

Professional childcare services (provided by All About Kids) are being offered free of charge during the event. Please indicate whether you will use this service during online registration. Thank you to Agriculture Wellness Ontario for their support of this initiative.

Agenda

Tuesday

10:00 A.M.

TBD

12:00 P.M.

Lunch

1:00 P.M.

Welcome remarks

1:30 P.M.

Speaker Session: Alicia Woods – Founder & CEO, Covergalls Workwear
Alicia Woods shares the story behind launching Covergalls, a company born from her early experiences in the mining industry where she identified critical gaps for women in the field. Her session explores how turning overlooked challenges into opportunities can drive innovation, build resilience, and advance more inclusive workplaces. Attendees will gain insight into her entrepreneurial journey and the impact of creating solutions that challenge the status quo.

2:30 P.M.

Break

2:45 P.M.

Panel Discussion: Agronomy Today: Current Challenges and Research Insights
Join Grain Farmers of Ontario Agronomist Laura Ferrier for a panel discussion exploring current agronomy challenges, including emerging issues in crop production, disease management, and the latest research shaping on-farm decision-making.

4:00 P.M.

Break

5:00 P.M.

Reception
An opportunity for networking while enjoying light refreshments.

6:00 P.M.

Dinner
Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Board of Directors have been invited to participate in our evening activities.

8:00 P.M.

Keynote Speaker & Juno-Nominated Singer-Songwriter Peter Katz
Peter Katz delivers a unique keynote concert experience that blends live music, storytelling, and research-backed insights. His session focuses on building connection and belonging, helping attendees recognize and celebrate meaningful moments that drive collaboration, inspiration, and lasting impact. Drawing from his journey as an internationally touring artist, Peter offers a powerful and engaging experience that resonates long after the session ends.

9:00 P.M.

Hospitality Suite
Networking continues until midnight.

Wednesday

7:00 A.M.

Breakfast

8:30 A.M.

Morning Remarks

9:00 A.M.

Managing Today’s Farm Business: Strategies for Growth and Resilience
Hear from industry experts as they explore key business management strategies to strengthen and grow your farm operation. This discussion will highlight practical approaches to improving profitability, managing risk, and making informed decisions in an increasingly volatile agricultural landscape, helping you build a resilient and successful business for the future.

10:30 A.M.

Break

11:00 A.M.

Speaker Session- Dr. Tom Deans – Intergenerational Wealth Expert & Bestselling Author
Dr. Tom Deans explores the impact of Canada’s historic intergenerational wealth transfer and what it means for individuals and families. His session challenges attendees to think beyond finances—encouraging purposeful living, thoughtful legacy planning, and giving back. Attendees will also receive a complimentary copy of his book, Willing Wisdom, offering deeper insight into building meaningful wealth and lasting impact.

12:00 P.M.

Lunch

1:00 P.M.

Global Forces, Local Impact: Understanding Today’s Grain Landscape
Led by Sankalp Sharma, Senior Economist with Grain Farmers of Ontario, this panel will explore the evolving geopolitical landscape and its impact on trade, farm inputs, grain markets, and Canada’s role on the global stage.

2:30 P.M.

Conference Adjourn

speakers

Alicia Woods

Founder & CEO, Covergalls Workwear

Learn more

Alicia Woods is an award-winning entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and founder and CEO of Covergalls Workwear, a company she famously pitched on CBC’s Dragons’ Den. With more than 20 years of experience breaking barriers in the mining industry, she turned a gap she experienced firsthand — the lack of properly fitting safety gear for women — into an innovative solution, creating the first female-specific coverall. Today, Covergalls is a thriving business rooted in health and safety, diversity and inclusion, and education and advocacy. Alicia shares practical, engaging insights drawn from her entrepreneurial journey, encouraging audiences to rethink challenges as opportunities for innovation and more inclusive workplaces. Her work has been featured in major publications including The Globe and Mail and Financial Post, and she has received numerous accolades, including the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, recognition on the 40 Under 40 list, and being named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Peter Katz

Keynote Speaker & Juno-Nominated Singer-Songwriter

Learn more

Peter Katz is a Juno Award- and Canadian Screen Award-nominated singer-songwriter and keynote performer known for delivering powerful, customized “Keynote Concerts” that blend live music, storytelling, and research-backed insights. Trusted by leading organizations, Fortune 500 companies, and governments, he helps audiences build cultures of connection and belonging by highlighting meaningful moments that drive engagement and performance. With nearly two decades as an internationally touring artist, Katz brings a unique perspective on communication and shared experience, creating deeply engaging presentations that resonate long after the event. A four-time TEDx fellow, he is known for tailoring each keynote to his audience, often weaving in their stories and values, while his music has reached millions through streaming, film, and television.

Tom Deans

Intergenerational Wealth Expert & Bestselling Author

Learn more

Dr. Tom Deans is an award-winning speaker and Globe and Mail bestselling author who explores how Canada’s unprecedented $1 trillion wealth transfer will reshape families, businesses, and philanthropy. Known for his thought-provoking and contrarian perspective, he challenges audiences to think beyond inheritance and consider their roles as both beneficiaries and contributors, encouraging purposeful living in service to others. Currently President of Détente Financial Press, Deans brings a diverse leadership background spanning banking, executive leadership, and public service. He is the author of the international bestseller Every Family’s Business and Willing Wisdom, and is a trusted voice on succession planning and intergenerational wealth, regularly featured in outlets such as The New York Times, CBC, and BNN.

Sankalp Sharma

Senior Economist
Grain Farmers of Ontario

Learn more

Sankalp Sharma is a Senior Economist at Grain Farmers of Ontario, a position he has held since January 2022. In this role, he analyzes policy developments that affect Ontario’s grain and oilseed producers, providing insights to support evidence-based advocacy and decision-making.

Dr. Sharma earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and holds a Master’s degree in Economics from North Carolina State University. His professional background includes roles with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (Rome, Italy), the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and the Council for Social Development. His research portfolio spans risk analysis, crop insurance, grain markets, and land acquisition policy.

Laura Ferrier

Agronomist
Grain Farmers of Ontario

Learn more

Bio coming soon

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