Joanne Mervin been the Program Manager of the Business Development Centre (BDC) at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus for over ten years, and leads a team that responds to the training and development needs of rural and agribusiness clients, organizations and industries to provide technical training, skills upgrading, and professional development. The BDC is also home to the Ag Business Centre, a partnership between the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Economic Development Services and the Ridgetown Campus, which actively develops agricultural business and rural economic opportunities. Joanne has extensive experience designing and implementing programs for life-long learners related to agriculture and the environment. She grew up on a farm near Ridgetown, and continues to live on an almost century farm.