Supporters of the Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre got an update on the plans during the third annual meeting in Listowel.
Chairmsn Steve Dolson said the project remains in the early stages, and over the next few months the team will be reaching out to more businesses in the immediate area to try and secure their membership and show that there's solid interest in the project.
"We are going to be developing plans to go outside the Huron-Perth area to get financial support for this whole centre to be a reality. It's at minimum a $20 million project and potentially upwards of $38 million," Dolson said.
He said this will be Canada's first agriculture and food science centre and it will be 10 acres of land beside the Listowel arena.
Dolson said the centre will aim to educate people about the agri-food industry's importance, but another goal is to encourage young people to take interest in the industry.
"We also want to excite young people about the many, many careers that are out there in this field. There's a lot of opportunities out there that people aren't aware of and we want to stimulate that interest, as well," Dolson shared enthusiastically.
The board includes Sylvia Behrns, Dawne Boersen, Dave Bray, Barry Crean, Steve Dolson, Cassie Greidanus, Elizabeth Johnston, Jillian Lewis, Claudia Prescott, Christine Schoonderwoerd and Marlin Stoltz.
So far, those supporting the centre include Boulevard North, Corteva Agriscience, DesignLogix Engineering Inc., Grand River Agricultural Society, Hensall Co-op, Huron Perth Agriculture and Water Festival, Molesworth Farm Supply Ltd., Ontario Trillium Foundation, OPPA Branch 6, Perth County Cultivating Opportunity Grant, Schoonderwoerd Bros. Concrete Ltd., The Municipality of North Perth, Trillium Mutual Insurance, Ward & Uptigrove and Wallenstein Feed & Supply Ltd.
