BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Leaf Canada - ECPv6.17.4.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Leaf Canada X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://leafcanada.ca X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Leaf Canada REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Toronto BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20280312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20281105T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20270513 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270515 DTSTAMP:20260423T132236Z CREATED:20260420T132723Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260423T132236Z UID:2766-1810166400-1810339199@leafcanada.ca SUMMARY:North–South Agroecology Forum 2027 DESCRIPTION:North–South Agroecology Forum 2027\nAdvancing Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Food Systems \n📅 Date: 13–14 May 2027📍 Location: Toronto\, Canada \n\nRegister Now \nAbout the Forum\nThe North–South Agroecology Forum 2027 is an interdisciplinary platform designed to connect agricultural research\, community food systems\, and policy dialogue. The forum focuses on strengthening inclusive\, climate-resilient\, and culturally responsive food systems in Canada. \nWith growing demand for diverse and culturally significant foods\, agroecology offers a pathway to integrate traditional knowledge with modern science. This forum will foster collaboration between stakeholders from the Global North and South to enhance crop diversity\, sustainability\, and food security. \nObjectives\nOverall Objective\nTo explore collaborative strategies for integrating North–South agroecological knowledge and crop diversity to strengthen inclusive and climate-resilient food systems in Canada. \nSpecific Objectives\n\nPromote dialogue on agroecological crop diversification\nExplore adaptation of culturally important crops in Ontario\nStrengthen collaboration in crop genetics and seed systems\nSupport immigrant farmers and food entrepreneurs\nBuild linkages among researchers\, farmers\, and policymakers\n\nFocus Crop Categories\n\nVegetables: okra\, bitter gourd\, eggplant\, chili\, pumpkin\, etc.\nRoots & Tubers: ginger\, turmeric\, sweet potato\, taro\nLeafy Vegetables: amaranth\, moringa\, Indian spinach\nPulses & Grains: mung bean\, pigeon pea\, millets\, rice\nSpecialty Crops: quinoa\, chia\, cumin\, sesame\n\nConference Structure\n\nDay 1: Technical sessions\, keynote talks\, and policy discussions\nDay 2: Field visits\, demonstrations\, and farmer engagement\n\nDetailed Agenda\nDay 1 – 13 May 2027\n08:30 – 09:30Registration and networking \n09:30 – 10:00Opening remarks and welcome \n10:00 – 10:40Keynote: North–South agroecological cooperation and future food systems \n10:40 – 11:00Break \n11:00 – 12:30Session I: Climate-adapted crop diversification \n12:30 – 13:30Lunch \n13:30 – 15:00Session II: Culturally responsive agriculture \n15:00 – 15:20Break \n15:20 – 16:40Session III: Seed systems and participatory breeding \n16:40 – 17:30Panel: Inclusive agri-food systems and policy priorities \n17:30 – 18:30Networking reception \nDay 2 – 14 May 2027\nField Visit and Demonstration \n08:30 – 09:00Travel to site \n09:00 – 10:30Field demonstration: crop trials and agroecology practices \n10:30 – 11:30Seed systems discussion \n11:30 – 12:30Farmer–researcher interaction \n12:30 – 13:30Lunch \n13:30 – 15:00Value-added processing and market opportunities \n15:00 – 16:00Roundtable: future collaboration \n16:00 – 16:30Closing session \nExpected Outcomes\n\nEstablishment of a North–South collaboration network\nStrategies for crop diversification in Ontario\nIncreased awareness of culturally responsive agriculture\nNew opportunities for agri-food entrepreneurship\nFoundation for future research and partnerships\nPre-registration is strongly encouraged\n\n\n\nRegistration Approach\nThe forum will adopt a hybrid registration model\, combining open registration with invitation-based participation. \nCategories of Participants\n\nInvited participants: keynote speakers\, panelists\, policymakers\, partner institutions\nOpen registration participants: researchers\, students\, farmers\, NGOs\, entrepreneurs\, and interested stakeholders\n\n\n\n\n \nRegistration Timeline\n\nRegistration opens: Ongoing\nEarly registration deadline: 15 January 2027\nFinal registration deadline: 02 April 2027\n\nSelection & Confirmation\n\nOpen registration may be:\n\nAutomatically confirmed (if space allows)\, or\nReviewed/approved for balance across sectors\n\n\nParticipants will receive:\n\nConfirmation email\nEvent details and logistics\nInvitation letter (if required for visa purposes)\n\n\n\nOn-site Registration\n\nLimited on-site registration desk available (subject to capacity)\nPre-registration is strongly encouraged\n\n\n\n\nRegistration Form\nFirst Name *Last Name *Email Address *Phone Number *GenderDate of BirthNationality *Country of Residence *Current Organization *Position/Title *Sector *SelectAcademic / ResearchFarmer / ProducerGovernmentNGO / Development OrganizationPrivate Sector / AgribusinessStudentOtherArea of Expertise / InterestType of Partnership *SelectAttendeeSpeaker / PresenterPanelistOrganizer / PartnerWill you present a paper or poster? *SelectYesNoSessions of Interest *SelectClimate-adapted crop diversificationCulturally responsive agricultureSeed systems & participatory breedingPolicy dialogueField visit & demonstrationsWill you attend? *SelectDay 1Day 2Both daysWhat you might require?Invitation Letter (for visa purposes)Travel supportAccommodation supportArrival Date *Departure Date *Which crop categories are you most interested in? *SelectVegetablesRoot & tuber cropsLeafy vegetablesPulses & grainsFunctional / specialty cropsInterest in collaborationSelectResearchFarming / productionSeed systemsPolicyEntrepreneurshipBrief statement of interestI confirm that the information provided is accurate and agree to the use of my personal data for registration\, communication\, and event-related purposes. I understand that photos/videos may be taken during the event and used for documentation and promotion. I accept responsibility for my travel\, visa\, and participation\, and agree to follow the event’s code of conduct. Register URL:https://leafcanada.ca/event/north-south-agroecology-forum-2027/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://leafcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/North-South.png ORGANIZER;CN="LEAF Canada":MAILTO:info@leafcanada.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260327T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260327T193000 DTSTAMP:20260407T161504Z CREATED:20260407T143312Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260407T161504Z UID:2696-1774632600-1774639800@leafcanada.ca SUMMARY:Leaf Canada - Advisory Meeting DESCRIPTION:LEAF Canada – First Advisory Meeting\nMinutes & Declaration\nDate: March 27\, 2026 \nOpening Remarks\nGood evening everyone\, \nFirst of all\, sincere thanks to all participants for your presence\, time\, and thoughtful contributions to the first advisory meeting of Lumina Earth Alliance Foundation (LEAF Canada). \nThis meeting marks more than a formal gathering\, it represents the beginning of a shared vision and collective journey. \nCore Vision of LEAF\nThe discussions throughout the meeting highlighted the three foundational values of LEAF: \n\nPeople\nPlanet\nPeace\n\nThese guiding principles will shape the organization’s direction and long-term impact. \nIntroduction & Chairperson’s Address\nThe session began with a warm welcome and an introduction to the purpose of the advisory meeting. \nThis was followed by the Chairperson’s address\, outlining LEAF’s broader vision as a nonprofit organization focused on meaningful contributions in areas such as: \n\nCommunity support\nLanguage and education\nAgriculture and environment\nPublic awareness\nPeace-oriented social impact\n\nAlthough LEAF is in its early stages\, the vision is ambitious and long-term. \nPre-Discussion Meeting \n\nStrategic Ideas & Early Initiatives\nSeveral potential initiatives were discussed\, including: \n\nLanguage circles\nPublic conferences\nPodcast-based awareness programs\n\nThese ideas reflect LEAF’s intent to create accessible and impactful engagement within communities. \nIt was emphasized that achieving these goals will require not only passion but also the continued guidance and expertise of advisors. \nCollaboration & Community Engagement\nShashank highlighted the importance of: \n\nCollaboration\nCommunity connection\nEffective information sharing\n\nThis serves as a reminder that strong partnerships and shared efforts are essential for organizational growth. \nAdvisor Introductions\nA key highlight of the meeting was the introduction round\, where participants shared their backgrounds and expertise. \nThe advisory group brings diverse experience across: \n\nEducation\nGovernment and policy\nScience and research\nAgriculture and environment\nCommunity engagement\nPublic service\n\nThis diversity represents a strong foundation for LEAF’s future. \nAdvisor Committee \n\nKey Takeaway: Practical and Action-Oriented Approach\nWhile the vision of LEAF is broad and inspiring\, it was emphasized that the organization must remain: \n\nClear\nPractical\nAction-oriented\n\nThis stands as one of the most important takeaways from the meeting. \nAdvisor Letter Signing\nAn important milestone was achieved through the advisor letter signing and handover\, formally establishing the advisory structure. \nThis step reflects LEAF’s commitment to: \n\nAccountability\nStructured guidance\nLong-term collaboration\n\nFocus Discussion: North-South Agroecological Forum 2026\nA major portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the North-South Agroecological Forum 2026. \nAs concluded by Obaied\, the forum aims to go beyond discussion and focus on fact-based\, practical outcomes. \nKey Objectives\n\nUnderstand real agricultural challenges in Ontario and across Canada\nIdentify what is feasible and what is not\nDetermine where meaningful contributions can be made\n\nResearch-First Approach\nAs a nonprofit\, LEAF will prioritize understanding before action by: \n\nIdentifying existing agricultural challenges\nStudying current policies in Ontario and Canada\nExploring opportunities for innovation and collaboration\n\nProposed Outreach\nA structured approach will include reaching out to: \n\nOntario Ministry of Agriculture\nRelevant federal departments\nAgricultural and policy-related organizations\n\nThe goal of this outreach is to gather: \n\nGuidance\nExisting research\nExpert contacts\nPolicy insights\nPractical recommendations\n\nFuture Direction\nBased on these findings\, LEAF aims to: \n\nDevelop concrete outcomes\nDesign an informed and impactful forum\nFacilitate knowledge exchange between experts from the Global South and Canada\n\nThis approach reflects LEAF’s commitment to informed action over assumptions. \nConclusion\nOverall\, the first advisory meeting successfully: \n\nIntroduced LEAF’s vision and values\nBrought together a diverse and experienced advisory group\nInitiated meaningful discussions on future direction\nEstablished the foundation for structured collaboration\n\nThis marks the beginning of a long-term journey toward creating practical\, impactful\, and sustainable change. \n                         URL:https://leafcanada.ca/event/leaf-canada-advisory-meeting/ LOCATION:Scarborough Village Community Centre\, 3600 Kingston Rd\, Scarborough\, ON M1M 1R9\, Canada\, Scarborough\, Ontario\, M1M 1R9\, Canada CATEGORIES:General Meeting ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://leafcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260327_1935171-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR