Victoriaville, December 10, 2024 – The Centre for Social Innovation in Agriculture (CISA) is proud to announce the return of the 2nd Annual Réseau Racines Meeting in 2025, a flagship event dedicated to agricultural incubation and supporting the next generation of farming entrepreneurs. After hosting the inaugural meeting in its hometown, the Réseau is expanding its reach to connect with incubator members across Quebec. This is why the next meeting will be held on March 19, 2025, at the Espace Jardin at Université Laval, in the Capitale-Nationale region.
Under the banner of social innovation, this year’s theme is “The Impact of Agricultural Business Incubators.” Participants will have the opportunity to attend dynamic panels featuring experts in next-generation farmer support, hear first-hand accounts from incubation project participants, and take part in interactive workshops and constructive discussions on this growing sector. Networking opportunities with key players in the field will also be a highlight of the event.
“This event is an invaluable opportunity for incubator managers and other stakeholders in the sector to share best practices and showcase their commitment to sustainably establishing the next generation of farmers in Quebec,” said Pierre Olivier Ouimet, project researcher at CISA and interim coordinator of the Racines Network.
To ensure accessibility, the organizing team offers participants a choice between free admission or a voluntary contribution of $25 to cover the cost of the meal provided during the event. A reduced rate is also available for representatives of non-profit organizations.
This event is made possible thanks to financial support from the Quebec government and several partners. The Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie is supporting both the action-research project and this event, while the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation is also contributing to this second edition. CISA and its partners invite all stakeholders in agricultural development to join this essential gathering dedicated to the advancement and support of Quebec’s next generation of farmers.
Programme Highlights
An overview of the program is already available online:
- Launch of the “Guide de démarrage et de développement d’un incubateur d’entreprises agricoles”: A key resource for structuring and managing support mechanisms for agricultural start-ups.
- Discussion panels: Insights from new farm business managers and experienced mentors.
- Group workshop: Best practices for evaluating the impact of farm business incubators.
The detailed program will be available online in the coming weeks.
Practical Information
- Date: March 19, 2025, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Location: Espace Jardin, Université Laval, Québec
- Pavillon Alphonse-Desjardins, 2325 rue de l’Université, Quebec City, Quebec, G1V 0A6
- Registration: https://bit.ly/RVRR2025
About Réseau Racines
Réseau Racines is Quebec’s only network of agricultural business incubators. Currently coordinated by the Cégep de Victoriaville's Centre for Social Innovation in Agriculture (CISA) and supported by Centre d’étude en responsabilité sociale et écocitoyenneté (CÉRSÉ), the network was established in 2022 and officially registered as a non-profit organization in 2023. Réseau Racines supports agricultural business incubators while fostering collaboration between incubators, aspiring farmers, and the organizations that assist them. It serves as both a community of practice and a showcase for its members.
Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ)
Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie (MEIE)
