Farms and related agriculture businesses are significant contributors to the economic vitality and health of rural communities across Middlesex County. These businesses, however, are under increased pressure to invest in new technology adoption or business models to address the increased demand for their products or secure more value for the primary producer. New opportunities and unanticipated challenges have surfaced while navigating the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community Futures (CF) Middlesex and the Centre for Research and Innovation (CRI) at Fanshawe Centre are partnering to host this 60-minute webinar. The goal is to build increased awareness for the funding, program and service offerings available to support individuals and agri-businesses looking to pursue new opportunities or overcome challenges that they have encountered.

Murray Good of Whitecrest Mushrooms Ltd. and Mycionics Inc. will share his story of how he continues to invest in the growth and expansion of his business and the research, development and commercialization of new technologies with support from partners, including CF Middlesex and the CRI at Fanshawe College.

About the Speakers

Murray Good has been the President of Whitecrest Mushrooms since purchasing the property in 2002. Whitecrest Mushrooms produces over two million pounds of brown cremini and Portobello mushrooms for the Ontario fresh market. Based on his agricultural technology research and development over the years, Murray founded Mycionics Inc. in 2014. He is also the past president of Mushrooms Canada — a non-profit organization dedicated to producing and marketing fresh mushrooms in Canada.

Todd Copeland was appointed to the role of General Manager for Community Futures Middlesex in November 2019. After serving for more than two years on its Board of Directors, Todd quickly found his passion for supporting the unique needs of rural business owners. He is a graduate from the University of Waterloo with a dual degree in Biology and Business Economics and has extensive experience supporting entrepreneurs in both the private and public sectors as an innovation, relationship and partnership champion.

Colin Yates has been the Chair for the Centre for Research and Innovation at Fanshawe College since May 2019. He holds a Ph.D. from the School of Planning and a Master’s degree in Environment and Resources Studies from the University of Waterloo, where he is an adjunct professor. Colin serves as a Science and Innovation Advisor for Bioenterprise Corporation Canada and sits on the Western Fair Association’s Board of Governors.