P2P Session: Succession Planning For the Huron County Farm

Vicki Lass is the Director of Economic Development for Huron County as well as a farmer in the midst of succession planning with her husband and two adult children.  Before joining Huron County, Vicki had an 18-year career with OMAFRA working in Economic Development, Food Safety, and Environmental Management where her specialties were economic development and adult education.  Vicki has owned and operated a number of businesses in SW Ontario both retail and consulting.  Vicki also worked with WRED (Women and Rural Economic Development) across Huron, Perth, Bruce, and Grey Counties which included the delivery of a micro-financing program for rural and farming women.  Vicki has seen a lot of changes in the rural economic development landscape over the years as a participant and practitioner.  This ever-changing landscape is part of what keeps Vicki enthusiastic about finding new and creative solutions to meet the challenges ahead for rural residents, youth, and business owners. 

Originally from rural Manitoba, Ryan Gibson has a deep intrigue and respect for rural communities, rural people, and the events that shape their futures. Growing up witnessing the transformations in rural development, agriculture, and their influence on communities instilled a fascination and commitment to rural issues. Over the past years Ryan has been a student, practitioner, and admirer of rural populations, dynamics, and interactions. Ryan is the Libro Professor in Regional Economic Development in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development at the University of Guelph. Ryan’s research and community engagement focus on rural and regional development, governance, immigration, philanthropy, and public policy.