Canada’s agriculture sector is facing a growing talent challenge as labor shortages, new technologies and an aging workforce reshape the skills needed across the industry. A new career event launching in 2027 is aiming to help employers and prospective workers connect.
Annex Business Media’s Agriculture Network has announced Ascent, a one-day event designed to introduce students, skilled tradespeople, emerging professionals and career changers to opportunities throughout agriculture, including greenhouse production, horticulture and other specialized fields.
Ascent is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2027, at the Bingemans Conference Centre in Kitchener, Ontario.
Ascent Agriculture Career Event: Building the Workforce
Organizers say agriculture is changing quickly, increasing demand for skills in automation, data management, artificial intelligence, environmental stewardship and advanced trades. For greenhouse businesses adopting increasingly sophisticated production systems, finding employees with the right technical skills is an especially important consideration.
Scott Jamieson, CEO of Annex Business Media, said the company’s experience serving the agricultural sector and organizing career-focused events puts it in a strong position to bring employers and potential employees together.
“We all know the growing labour and skill gap facing industries like ag,” Jamieson said. “Add to that the evolving role of automation, technology and AI, and the gap widens.”
He said Ascent is intended to create a practical setting where employers, candidates and people simply curious about agricultural careers can explore opportunities and make connections.
Opportunities beyond the farm
The workforce challenge extends well beyond traditional agricultural roles. Greenhouse operators, for example, increasingly need employees with knowledge of climate control, automation, crop management and emerging production technologies.
At the same time, potential candidates may not realize how many career paths exist within controlled-environment agriculture and the broader agricultural supply chain.
“Many talented people don’t immediately see agriculture as a career option, or they need support to explore new paths and market themselves,” said Michelle Bertholet, group publisher, Agriculture, and vice-president, content strategy, at Annex Business Media.
She added that growers, producers, contractors and suppliers consistently identify recruiting new talent as one of their most significant challenges.
What Ascent will offer
The one-day event will include opportunities for employer networking, a keynote focused on the future of agriculture’s workforce and panel discussions exploring emerging skills. Attendees will also have access to career resources such as resume reviews and career guidance.
Employers from across the agricultural value chain are expected to participate, representing areas including greenhouse production, field crops, poultry, research, finance and agribusiness services.
For greenhouse and horticulture businesses, the event could provide an opportunity to introduce prospective employees to the technical, creative and business careers available across modern controlled-environment agriculture.
Ascent takes place Feb. 6, 2027, at Bingemans Conference Centre in Kitchener, Ontario. Information about exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities is available through the Ascent event website.
For another perspective on seasonal hiring pressures, read AmericanHort urges full H-2B Supplemental visa Release for Fiscal 2027.
The SuperFloral Team brings you news, trends and practical ideas for supermarket and mass-market floral professionals. Our editors gather and curate the stories that matter most to floral teams in grocery and retail, from industry news and events to merchandising inspiration and business advice. Have a story idea or news tip? Write to us at editorial@superfloral.com.
