Presenters & Keynote Speakers

Bryan Gilvesy HBA Richard Ivey School of Business University of Western Ontario Proprietor, Y U Ranch Chairman, Norfolk County ALUS Pilot Project Bryan Gilvesy’s Y U Ranch is an award-winning ranch that is located in Norfolk County, Ontario. The Y U Ranch produces Local Food Plus certified beef, dealing directly with consumers in Southern Ontario.

Mr. Gilvesy is the Chair of the innovative Norfolk ALUS (Alternative Lands Use Services) Pilot Project, the emerging program that envisions farmers as key environmental solution providers. He is also Co-Chair of the Sustain Ontario Steering Committee, the coalition for good food and farming. 

Bryan Gilvesy was the recipient of the 2009 International Texas Longhorn Association Breeder of the Year Award, the 2008 Canadian Agri-Food Award of Excellence For Environmental Stewardship, the 2007 Premier’s Award For Agricultural Innovation and the 2006 Toronto Food Policy Council Local Food Hero Award.

David Abazs Senior Fellow, Endowed Chair in Agricultural Systems for the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota. His recent "Food Systems Assessment" research with University of Minnesota-Duluth and his recent "Fish/Produce/Algae Greenhouse" design work with the City of Silver Bay, Minnesota, has brought him from his humble farm in Finland, MN, to his current position

Mr. Abazs and his wife established Round River Farm in 1989 and in 2000, they received a University of MN Farm Family of the Year "New Initiative" Award for their solar and wind powered vegetable and fruit community-supported agriculture (CSA) operation. Mr. Abazs installs renewable energy systems and teaches at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, North House Folk School and Split Rock Lighthouse. He has also led an educational team in creating and implementing a sustainable food systems curriculum in regional schools.

James Murphy
General Manager, Savour Muskoka

After completing a college diploma in Hotel and Resort Management James went on to complete a undergraduate degree at the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Applied Management in Hospitality & Tourism in 2004. In 2008 James received his Master of Arts, from the University of Waterloo in Recreation and Leisure Studies, Tourism Planning and Policy.

Mr. Murphy is currently the General Manager of SAVOUR Muskoka, a culinary tourism initiative aimed at bridging the gap between supplier and restaurant chef while at the same time creating a culinary identity for the region of Muskoka and Parry Sound.

He is currently involved in tourism initiatives on a district level and provincial level as a board member with Muskoka Tourism and the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Murphy has worked on projects with the Canadian Tourism Commission, Canadian Relais & Chateaux Association and Statistics Canada. He speaks regularly on topics of supply chain management in culinary tourism and has research published in the International Journal of Hospitality Management.