Announcing AALP Class 19

Oct 29, 2021

GUELPH, ON – The Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) is excited to announce the nineteen current and emerging leaders from across the province selected for Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) Class 19. The program for Class 19 will begin November, 2021.

“The ag-sector is a powerhouse for Ontario economic development. This will be supported by leaders with foresight and the skills to manage change,” says Gabe Ferguson, Leadership Programs Director. “Congratulations to the participants of Class 19 who have committed to professional development that will help strengthen the ag-sector and rural communities provincially and internationally.”

Nine Class members are primary producers or involved in family-run farming operations. The remaining ten come from agri-business and agri-food, financial sectors, non-government and commodity associations and government. The Class ranges in age from 24 to 54.

Each AALP Class is chosen with attention to creating a team that can provide peer-to-peer mentorship, diverse viewpoints and a broad network. “It’s exciting and affirming to see the high caliber of talent in Class 19,” says Ferguson. “With their experience of a world pandemic this past year, I’m anticipating a keen group of leaders ready to share new ideas about the future of the agri-food industry.”

During the 18-month program, AALP participants will come together in both in-person seminars and online webinars. Class members will learn about leadership and organizational excellence practices, government and political processes, economics, social and environmental issues, trade policy, global affairs, sector and industry-related issues. The context will include Ontario, North American and international study travel components.

AALP is delivered by the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) a non-profit organization committed to developing leaders and facilitating collaboration on issues and opportunities facing rural and northern Ontario communities. Established in 1984, the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) has graduated almost 480 leaders who are making a positive difference across Ontario and beyond.

Source : ROI

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.