A panel discussion meeting for farmers and members of the rural communities in Wellington-Halton Hills is planned for Thursday, March 28 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Wellington County Museum and Archives (Aboyne Room) in Fergus. Admission is free.

The topic for the evening is the future of rural and agricultural life in Wellington-Halton Hills and the role of the Federal government going forward. This event is sponsored by volunteers of the Wellington-Halton Hills Federal Liberal Association.

Panelists for the event include: Bill Emmott, dairy farmer and former Chair of DFO, Andria Jones-Bitton, Veterinarian and Associate Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Lloyd Longfield, Guelph MP and Suzanne Trivers, Chair of the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) and Executive Director of the Mount Forest Family Health Team.

Together with family members, Bill operates a dairy farm in Brant County. He is knowledgeable about agriculture and the concerns of rural communities in southwestern Ontario. Dr. Jones-Bitton is currently developing a program into increasing awareness of the mental health challenges faced by farmers and members of the rural community, and she will highlight her program, “In the Know”. Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield is a member of several agriculture committees and will describe recent legislation enacted by the Federal government in support of farmers and the rural community, as well as the future outlook in our rural riding. In her position as Chair of the ROI and Director of the Mount Forest Family Health Team, Suzanne Trivers is well positioned to share her insights about life in rural Ontario and the challenges faced by farmers and rural residents.

More details, including how to register or volunteer at the event, can be found at whhfla.ca or by contacting Ken Crozier at 226-979-2353 or crozierkenrural@gmail.com.