Olympic gold medal finish forecast for GrowCanada conference

TORONTO, Dec. 1 /CNW/ - Canadian agriculture's premier conference will end on a high note with a look at how the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games inspired young people to get engaged - and how the agricultural sector might be able to do the same - courtesy of John Furlong, chief executive officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for both games.

"The inspiration that breathed life into Vancouver's games is available to others," Furlong said. "One of the keys to turning that inspiration into a lasting human legacy is engaging young people so that they carry the ideals forward as their own."

Currently one in seven Canadians is employed in the agriculture sector. Youth engagement will be an important part of ensuring that this sector continues to attract people with a wide range of skills and education in order to remain internationally competitive.

"Agriculture offers a diverse and challenging range of careers along with the opportunity to work in a field where you know your contributions are making a difference in the lives of others. There is real opportunity in agriculture and we need to communicate this to young people so they consider ag when making decisions about their future," said Brian Denys, business director for BASF Canada, sponsor of Furlong's presentation.

Furlong was been recognized for his dedication to sport with several awards, including the Officer of the Order of Canada and Member of the Order of British Columbia. He was named the Globe and Mail's 2009 Most Influential Sports Figure.

GrowCanada(R) is a partnership of agriculture's most influential associations that works together to ensure Canada is a world leader in providing new products and solutions for agricultural, nutritional, health, energy and environmental challenges in Canada and around the world. The annual GrowCanada(R) conference celebrates the role of agriculture in bettering the lives of Canadians.

Furlong will speak Thursday, December 2 at 11 a.m. at the Westin Ottawa, 11 Colonel By Drive.

Media are invited to attend any part of the conference which is being held November 30 - December 2, 2010.

A full listing of conference speakers can be found at www.growcanadaconference.ca

For further information: Nadine Sisk, cell: 613-218-6063, [email protected]