NOVA: Empowering Agri-Food Entrepreneurs in Northern Ontario
Are you an agri-food entrepreneur looking to grow your business?
The Northern Ontario Value-Added Agriculture (NOVA) Program, led by the Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN), is designed to support agri-food entrepreneurs by providing them with training, mentorship, and business development resources.
Through specialized training and one-on-one mentorship, NOVA equips business owners with the skills, knowledge, and connections they need to launch, grow, and scale their ventures in the competitive agri-food sector.
Whether you’re starting a new business or looking to expand, NOVA is here to support your journey in creating successful and sustainable value-added food businesses.
NOVA Mentorship Program
🔹 One-on-One Guidance from Experienced Agri-Food Mentors
🚀 You do NOT have to complete the NOVA Training Program to participate—this opportunity is open to all agri-food entrepreneurs in Northern Ontario!
Whether you’re launching a new business, scaling operations, or overcoming challenges, this program gives you access to one-on-one mentorship and exclusive networking opportunities to help you succeed in the agri-food industry.
While there is no cost to participate in the NOVA Mentorship Program, only a select number of entrepreneurs will be invited to participate (after filling out an application).
Why Join the Mentorship Program?
✔ Personalized Business Support
Work one-on-one with a seasoned mentor to navigate business challenges and set growth strategies.
✔ Industry Knowledge & Skill Development
Learn practical strategies in marketing, production efficiency, financial planning, and scaling operations.
✔ Expand Your Network
Engage with industry leaders and peers at networking events to be scheduled in 2025.
✔ Achieve Your Goals
Set measurable business objectives and track your progress with expert guidance.
Who Should Apply?
🌱 You are an ideal mentee if you: ✅ Own a registered agri-food business in Northern Ontario ✅ Are committed to scaling your business & overcoming challenges ✅ Have specific goals you want to achieve with mentorship ✅ Can dedicate time & effort to actively participate
Program Details
1. One-on-One Mentorship Sessions
📌 Minimum of Two Personalized Sessions
Work directly with an experienced mentor to discuss business challenges, set goals, and develop growth strategies.
Flexible session formats: virtual, in-person, or phone-based.
Fall 2025 – Scaling Strategies & Funding Opportunities
3. Access to Business Growth Resources
📌 Exclusive Tools & Templates
Business planning worksheets
Financial strategy guides
Marketing & branding resources
📌 Ongoing Program Support Our team is here to help—from application to mentorship completion.
What’s the Commitment?
🗓 Timeline Overview:
Mentee Application Deadline:February 28, 2025
Program Start & Mentor Matching:March 2025
First Mentorship Session:April-May 2025
Second Mentorship Session:October-November 2025
Final Program Evaluation:February 2026
💡 Minimum Requirements: ✔ Attend at least two mentorship sessions ✔ Engage actively with your mentor & program resources
How to Apply?
📩 Step 1: Complete the Mentee Application Here: Link to Form Tell us about your business, goals, and mentorship needs.
📅 Step 2: Submit Your Application by February 28, 2025 Applications will be reviewed by our program team. Limited spots available!
✅ Step 3: Get Matched with a Mentor If selected, you’ll receive an acceptance email and details about your assigned mentor.
🎯 Step 4: Begin Your Mentorship Journey! Start working towards your business goals with expert guidance.
Meet Our Mentors
Laura Gilmour | Dwight, Ontario | wildmuskoka.com
Laura (she/her) is a homesteader, forager, herbalist, and business owner near Dwight, Ontario. With a background in ecology and regenerative farming, she has spent over 20 years learning and teaching about wild foods, herbal medicine, and sustainable living. Since 2015, she has run Wild Muskoka Botanicals, producing value-added food and drink products from locally harvested ingredients. She operates a health-inspected kitchen and sells her products at markets, retail stores, and online. In addition to product development, Laura teaches foraging, ecology, and herbal medicine. She has experience scaling a business, navigating regulations, and building a sustainable enterprise that aligns with her passion.
Peggy Baillie | Manitoulin Island, Ontario | threeforksfarms.com
Peggy Baillie is the co-owner of Three Forks Farms in Ice Lake, Manitoulin Island. Raised on a farm but initially pursuing a culinary career, she rediscovered her passion for agriculture through an organic farm internship in her twenties. After years of working on farms and in food systems, she and her partner, Eric, founded Three Forks Farms in 2015, specializing in organic vegetables and pastured poultry. Seeking a better climate for seed production and work-life balance, they relocated to Manitoulin Island, where they continue to focus on sustainable farming, regenerative agriculture, and mentoring future farmers.
Monique Morrison | Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario | successwithdigital.com
Monique Morrison is the founder of Success With Digital, a digital marketing training company, and BigUps Consulting, a boutique agency specializing in marketing automation and conversion optimization for local and SME businesses. A multi-award-winning marketer and founder of an award-winning marketing agency, Monique has over 15 years of experience helping businesses thrive both online and offline. She has spoken at major events like Traffic and Conversion Summit and Digital Agency Expo, sharing her expertise on conversion strategies and digital marketing.
Kiran Bains | Mount Brydges, Ontario | foodventureprogram.com
Kiran Bains is a Registered Dietitian, food entrepreneur, and co-founder of Food Venture Program Inc. (FVP), which has helped over 1,000 food business owners scale their products, with alumni securing placements in Whole Foods, Sobeys, Kroger, and more. With over a decade of experience, she has developed and sold an upcycled tomato sauce and a gluten-free, high-protein cookie in retail. Kiran specializes in market research, product development, and scaling strategies, mentoring startups through Boundless Accelerator, the University of Guelph, and Western University. She also advises on packaging, regulatory compliance, and ingredient sourcing, helping food entrepreneurs bring successful products to market.
Carson Beauregard | Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Carson Beauregard is a farmer and business advisor with a background in economic development, social service provision, and food service. He holds a degree in Community Economic and Social Development and is the owner/operator of The Plant Farm Co, a micro-farm and consulting business in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. He has a passion for sustainable agriculture and finds deep satisfaction in helping entrepreneurs from various industries grow their businesses. Carson is also an outdoors enthusiast, a pro home cook, and is deeply curious about all things business and personal wellness. He believes in the philosophy of constant improvement and thoroughly enjoys a good SOP.
Jenny Fortier | Lively, Ontario
Jenny Fortier, Founder and CEO of Northern Wildflowers Inc. in Sudbury, has over 15 years of experience in habitat restoration, holding a B.Sc. (Laurentian University), an M.Sc., and certifications as a Master Gardener and in Sustainable Landscape Design. She serves on the boards of VETAC, SER-INSR, and the Ontario Chapter of CLRA, contributing to the strengthening of Canada’s seed supply chain. Under her leadership, Northern Wildflowers has nearly doubled sales annually for three years, surpassing 10,000 online orders in 2024 and expanding to 100+ retail locations. The company has supplied seeds for over 50 large-scale restoration projects and earned recognition, including the RT Foundation Award (2021) and finalist status in the Bell Business Excellence Awards (2023).
Britt Bowra | Waterloo, Ontario
Britt Bowra is a seasoned business development executive based in Waterloo, ON, with extensive experience in market expansion, strategic planning, and leadership across the agri-food and technology sectors. As VP of Business Development for a holding company in the dairy production industry, Britt spent over seven years driving growth across five businesses by introducing new products, expanding sales channels, and leading marketing initiatives, including establishing a dairy production technology distribution business in Southeast Asia. Previously, Britt held leadership roles as Director of Marketing & Business Development at CG Wellington, and Director of Business Strategy & Operations at Research in Motion (BlackBerry), bringing a wealth of expertise in driving revenue and operational success.
Carol Johnston | Etibocoke, Ontario
Carol is a seasoned mentor and an accomplished marketing leader with a passion for driving innovation and launching successful “Made in Canada” new products in brand, private label, retail and foodservice. Carol has served as director of marketing with a focus on dairy at Parmalat and Gay Lea Foods and Frozen Prepared Meals at Janes Family Foods (now Sofina) and Pinnacle Foods Canada (now Conagra). Key brands have included Swanson HUNGRY-MAN, Duncan Hines, Vlasic, Janes PUBSTYLE, Gay Lea, Black Diamond, Astro and Lactantia. Carol can help clients in every step of their innovation journey – from concept and business case development, to product development in collaboration with production partners, to crafting of persuasive selling stories that win over customers.
Nicole Marenick | Oakville, Ontario
With over 20 years of experience in consumer & trade marketing, specializing in food and agriculture for the past 18 years, Nicole Marenick is a well-connected agri-food marketing professional. She has successfully developed and managed campaigns for new and established brands, industry associations, and non-profit organizations. Expertise includes research, digital media management, influencer collaborations, advertising, and PR. She has a Hons. BA in Political Science and Communications and a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing.
Nicole Detlor | Waterloo, Ontario
Nicole Detlor, M.Sc., P.Eng., is the Director of the Conestoga Food Research and Innovation Lab at Conestoga College, bringing over 20 years of expertise in food innovation, product development, quality, and regulatory compliance. She connects industry partners with technical expertise, fosters collaboration, and drives strategic initiatives at CFRIL. Holding a B.Sc. in Engineering from the University of Guelph with a focus on food processing and an M.Sc. in Engineering specializing in novel control systems for the food industry, Nicole has been a registered professional engineer in Ontario since 2006. Her career includes leading product lifecycle implementation at Dawn Foods, reformulation efforts at Maple Leaf Consumer Foods, and commercializing innovative food products.
📧 Need More Information? Contact us at info@rainalgoma.ca or call (705) 942-7927x3027.
🚀 Join the NOVA Program and take your business to the next level!
NOVA Training Program
🔹 Build Your Agri-Food Business with Expert Guidance
The NOVA Training Program helps agri-food entrepreneurs develop core business skills essential for launching and scaling a value-added food enterprise.
Program Focus Areas:
📌 Concept Development ✔ Strategies to launch a business and develop a strong brand concept
📌 Product Development ✔ Steps to create a physical prototype and build a production strategy
📌 Finance Planning & Management ✔ Financial strategies & funding opportunities to scale and sustain a business in Northern Ontario
While this 11-week training concludes in March 2025, we are accepting inquiries for future program intakes.
📩 Interested in future training sessions? Contact us atinfo@rainalgoma.ca
