A group of people sitting and socializing at a large indoor wooden table with potted plants and drinks. The setting is a rustic venue with string lights and wooden beams. Some individuals are eating and drinking, while others are engaged in conversation.
Two women sitting at a wooden table in a rustic, open-air venue, engaged in conversation. One woman has a patterned blouse and the other with gray hair wears a casual jacket. A stainless steel tumbler is on the table.

gather. grow. bloom.

gatherings for women growing businesses in small places

Woman in pink blazer smiling at a table with plants, a pastry, and a pink tumbler, in a lively gathering.
Two women hugging and smiling in a warm embrace inside a cozy setting decorated with string lights.

bloom in good company at the next gathering

June 12, 2025 • 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Grassroots Farm

Lucknow, Ontario

Presented by

Creative Worth Branding + Design logo

In Partnership with

LaunchIt Minto logo

Homegrown is a series of gatherings for female-identifying rural business owners in Ontario.

Purple wildflowers and moss at sunrise

Part pep rally, part summer camp, part business conference, Homegrown provides a forum to hear the stories of other female rural business owners, fill your cup with support and encouragement, build personal and business connections, and celebrate the creativity and resiliency of rural life.  

Homegrown is for you if:

  • you want to connect IRL with other rural business owners (and not at the grocery store, arena or school pickup).

  • you’re ready to grow your business.

  • you’re so over Googling the answer to your business questions.

  • you feel lonely, insignificant or discouraged.

  • you want to celebrate rural living.

plant seeds of growth

❁

let your dreams take root

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cultivate success on your terms

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bloom in good company

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plant seeds of growth ❁ let your dreams take root ❁ cultivate success on your terms ❁ bloom in good company ❁

Four women sitting and laughing around a wooden table in a rustic setting, with plants and decorations on the table.
Green leaf shape on white background

you don’t have to grow it alone

If you’re a female running a business in a small town in Ontario (or the wide open spaces in between), Homegrown is for you. Homegrown was created for any female and non-binary rural business owner who has ever felt excluded, insignificant or discouraged.

As a rural business owner, you know things can bloom slower and grow differently here. The rural experience is refreshingly relaxed and the days of the sleepy small town where nothing really happens are fading in the rearview mirror. Yet it’s still all-too-easy to feel lost in the weeds: insignificant, isolated and discouraged.

But just because you live and operate your business in a small town, doesn’t mean there’s anything small about it. Women are running innovative, creative and inspiring businesses, and choosing to bloom right where we’re planted.

Homegrown is here to help you and your business grow in an environment blooming with belonging, relevance and empowerment.

Join us to find your place in the garden, and bloom in good company.

watch the seeds of growth that were planted at homegrown 2024

what to expect at homegrown

This is storytelling, learning, growth and lunch alongside 100 new friends in a beautiful rural setting - not capital-B BUSINESS with a corporate crew.

Simple purple flower with five petals and a circular center on a white background.

FEEDBACK FROM HOMEGROWN 2024

“I feel refreshed, inspired & empowered! Thank you for this event!”

“I felt support to think about how I can evolve my business model”

“I feel inspired to grow in different ways than I thought possible.”

Rustic barn labeled 'Grassroots Farm' at sunrise, with outdoor chairs and greenery in the foreground.
People attending an indoor event in a rustic barn setting, with tables decorated with plants and flowers.

venue and location

Red heart-shaped flower petals with a cream center

We’re thrilled to return to Grassroots Farm, near Lucknow, home of Grassroots Woodfired Pizza.

The Morrison family’s beautiful farm, rural setting and homegrown food provide the perfect atmosphere for Homegrown.

grassroots farm, 760 Bruce Rd 86, Lucknow, ON (Directions)

schedule

Homegrown Gathering takes place on Thursday, June 12, from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

9:00 am • Doors Open! Grab your coffee and a snack from Cait’s Café (Goderich), smile (or not!) for your complimentary headshot, make a new friend, and find a seat.

9:30 am • Welcome Announcements

9:45 am • Morning Meditation & Intention Setting (led by Heather Reeves, Mind/Body Mentor

10:00 am • Panel Discussion - Planting Seeds

10:50 am • Reflection & Connection Time

11:00 am • Group Chats / Ask-Me-Anything Expert Sessions / Podcast Recordings

11:50 am • Reflection & Connection Time

12:00 pm • Pizza & Salad Buffet Lunch from Grassroots Woodfired Pizza

12:30 pm • Afternoon Announcements

12:45 pm • Panel Discussion - Keep It Growing

1:30 pm • Reflection & Connection Time

1:45 pm • Group Chats / Ask-Me-Anything Expert Sessions / Podcast Recordings

2:45 pm • Encore Q+A Panel

3:00 pm • Closing Remarks

3:30 pm • End of Programming

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program details

Two women sitting across from each other in a rustic setting, engaging in conversation over a round wooden table with a "Finance" book or sign displayed on it.

ask-the-expert consulting sessions

(included with your ticket)

  • Sure, you can try to YouTube your way to success, but sooner or later you need to call in an expert (or 4!). Homegrown brings the experts to you with local professionals in accounting, insurance, public relations, social media, branding, human resources and more ready to answer the questions taking up space in your brain.

    Sign up for the 10-minute consulting sessions that meet your needs when you purchase your ticket.

    Plus! Representatives from Bruce, Grey, Huron, Perth, and Guelph-Wellington county business centres will be on hand with information about business learning, mentorship and grant opportunities.

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complimentary headshot

(included with your ticket)

Four women sitting around a wooden table in a rustic setting, discussing or having a meeting. The table is decorated with small potted plants. A screen in the background displays logos and text. One woman holds a yellow tumbler, and another has a coffee cup. There's a tote bag on the floor next to the table.

GROUP CHATS

(included with your ticket)

  • These IRL group chats will offer candid conversations about running a rural business with 8-10 new found business BFFs.

    With topics led by local leaders in mindfulness, self care, pivoting and partnerships, you’ll gain tools and tips to help you continue to bloom.

    Group chat sessions will run in the morning and afternoon. Sign up for the topic that interest you when you arrive at Homegrown.

Woman sitting with a laptop, smiling, next to a shelf with a framed certificate
Green oval graphic with text "Small Towns, Big Dreams Podcast with Beki Waples" and a stylized microphone icon.

LIVE ‘SMALL TOWN, BIG DREAMS’ PODCAST RECORDING with beki waples

Based in Saugeen Shores, the ‘Small Town, Big Dreams’ podcast spotlights the talent and stories of small-town dreams, creators and business owners through engaged interviews.

Beki will be on-site at Homegrown recording 30-minute live interviews with 4 local business owners. Sign up when you arrive to snag one of the coveted interview spots! First come, first serve.

ticket information

Homegrown is a day to pause, connect, and come back to what matters. Whether you come on your own or with a few good friends, you’ll leave with fresh perspective, new connections, and maybe even a few ideas ready to take root.

Stepping away from the day-to-day to invest in yourself isn’t easy—but it’s always worth it. We’ve created the space. You just have to show up.

early bird tickets

APRIL 14 - 20

Includes full event program, light breakfast and buffet lunch, complimentary headshot, and swag.

$125 + HST

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EARLY BIRD TICKETS LAUNCH APRIL 14!

regular tickets

APRIL 21 - May 31

Includes full event program, light breakfast and buffet lunch, complimentary headshot, and swag.

$149 + HST

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Green oval shape on white background

If you’re experiencing financial or other challenges that may prevent you from attending Homegrown, please click here to apply for a sponsored ticket.

panelists

MORNING PANEL

Planting Seeds (Businesses operating for 1-5 years)

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AFTERNOON PANEL

Keeping It Growing (Businesses operating for 5+ years)

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group chats (but IRL)

If you don’t have a handful of business besties you can chat with on the regular, these group chats will be just what you need to start building your community! Led by local subject matter experts, these 50-minute chats are designed for free-flowing, informal conversations on topics relevant to the experience of owning a rural business.

Sign up for group chats when you purchase your ticket!

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ask the experts

You know that running list of random business questions you have? Homegrown wants to help you get answers, so you can make progress and grow. And since most of us would prefer to work and take advice from other women, we’ve hand-picked local professional women who will be on site and ready to answer your questions and guide you with your ideas.

Sign up for your one-on-one, 10-minute Ask the Expert sessions when you purchase your ticket!

  • A woman smiling in a close-up portrait with long brown hair and wearing hoop earrings.

    Rose Austin

    Saugeen Economic Development Corporation, Neustadt

    Ask Rose about business funding

  • Smiling person with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a black blazer, seated indoors.

    Hayley Bettles

    Small Town Paralegal, Clinton

    Ask Hayley about lease agreements, contracts, partnership agreements, and commercial tenancies

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regional business support agencies

Chat with these reps about accessing training, mentorship and funding through your regional small business centre

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sponsors

Like every garden, Homegrown wouldn't be possible without a lot of care, investment, and enthusiasm. The event is coming to fruition because of the collaboration of many partners and sponsors.

Sponsorships are still available. Learn more here!

 FAQs

  • Homegrown has been purposefully designed for female and non-binary business owners who live in rural communities (and the country roads in between) across midwestern Ontario to connect, learn from each other, and access local business support agencies. If you own a small town, small business outside of this area and just want to see what Homegrown is all about, you are also welcome to attend.

  • You can never tell what a harvest holds, but we anticipate exciting connections, collaborations and other opportunities to spring up from this first gathering. You can stay in the loop by following Homegrown on Instagram (@homegrown_ca).

  • Come as you are – ready to listen and learn, connect and contribute. Bringing along a hearty handful of business cards is probably a good idea, too.

  • Grassroots Farm has ample parking available – but keep in mind that Grassroots is a working farm and parking is in an empty field. You will need to walk a short distance to the main venue building.

    If you have specific accessibility requirements, please reach out so we can ensure barrier-free access.

  • Dress like you might meet your next business investor. Dress like you’re heading to an epic girl’s night (in the day). Dress like you might drop pizza on your shirt. Dress like you’re spending the day at a farm (cute and comfy shoes are a good idea so you can roam around the farm). Dress for the weather (we’ll be in a covered, open air, converted barn). Dress however the heck you want – we love you just the way you are. ♡

  • You’ll be able to list any dietary needs during ticket checkout.