Norfolk County is known for its rich agricultural landscape, charming small towns, welcoming waterfront communities, and one-of-a-kind visitor experiences. Now, local creators, entrepreneurs, farmers, and small businesses have an opportunity to bring new agritourism ideas to life right here at home through the Ontario Tourism Innovation Lab’s Spark Program.
With the Norfolk County Agritourism round of the Tourism Innovation Lab’s Spark Program now open, this is the perfect time for residents and businesses to turn early-stage ideas into meaningful, visitor-ready experiences that strengthen our tourism sector and contribute to a vibrant, sustainable future for our community.
A What Is the Spark Program?
The Spark Program aims to discover, support, and launch innovative tourism ideas by pairing creators with the resources they need to grow. The Norfolk County Agritourism edition focuses specifically on visitor participation in farm-related and rural activities, such as farm stays, tours, pick-your-own experiences, workshops, or any concept connected to our agricultural heritage.
To qualify, ideas must be new (less than six months old) or still in the development or pilot stage. Spark welcomes both experiences that directly engage visitors and products, such as tourism-related services, tools, or offerings that enhance visitor engagement.
A core goal of the program involves fostering collaboration. Applicants should partner with other farms, makers, tourism operators, or community groups to expand their reach, deepen their impact, and elevate Norfolk’s overall tourism ecosystem.
Participants receive a powerful combination of mentorship, seed funding, sustainability support, and ongoing network engagement — all aimed at helping entrepreneurs turn early concepts into viable tourism offerings.
Why the Spark Program Matters for Norfolk County
Norfolk County continues to grow as a destination for food lovers, nature seekers, wellness travellers, and cultural explorers. Visitors are increasingly seeking:
- Authentic farm and culinary experiences
- Outdoor and nature-based activities
- Unique accommodations and immersive stays
- Creative interpretations of arts, heritage, and culture
- Meaningful opportunities to learn about sustainability and local food systems
The Spark Program empowers local innovators to create standout visitor experiences while reinforcing our region’s commitment to economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
What Norfolk County Applicants ReceiveÂ
Winners of the Spark Program receive:
1. $3,000 in seed funding
To help develop, pilot, or test your idea during its early stages.
2. Three-month mentorship
A unique hallmark of the Spark Program. You’ll be matched with a tourism innovator, sector expert, or experienced operator who will guide planning, product development, marketing, partnerships, and growth—tailored to your specific goals.
3. A growing innovation network
Finalists join a community of creative entrepreneurs from across Ontario. This network has supported over 150 past Spark winners, from agritourism launches and food experiences to festivals, wellness initiatives, and creative rural projects.
4. Exposure and community support
Participation can open doors to partnerships, tourism promotion opportunities, and connections that continue long after the program ends.
What Types of Ideas Are a Good Fit?
Any idea that brings a fresh, visitor-focused rural or farm-related experience to Norfolk County is welcome. Examples include:
- Tastings, farm tours, workshops, harvest-to-hand experiences
- New ways to highlight Norfolk’s farms, food, wine, and craft beverages
- Outdoor and nature-based offerings tied to trails, natural areas, or the lakeshore
- Arts, culture, heritage, or storytelling experiences rooted in our community
- Wellness retreats or unique accommodations connected to the land
- Collaborative partnerships between farms, producers, makers, and community groups
- Tourism services or products that enhance visitor experience
If your idea enriches visitor understanding, engagement, or connection to Norfolk County, Spark wants to hear it.
How It Works
The application is designed to be straightforward and inclusive.
- Submit the online application form, describing your idea’s innovation, development stage, target market, funding plans, sustainability commitments, and community benefits.
- Submit a one-minute video, introducing yourself and your idea. This can be simple, unedited, and filmed on a phone—clarity and passion matter more than production.
- Finalists will be invited to a friendly pitch session.
- Winners receive seed funding, mentorship, and ongoing support.
Applications for the Norfolk County Agritourism Spark Program are open until December 30th.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Use a clear project title that describes your concept.
- Highlight what makes your idea unique to Norfolk County.
- Explain the visitor appeal — who will come, why, and what they will experience.
- Be realistic: consider the program’s recommended pilot-first approach for your first year.
- Demonstrate how your project addresses sustainability and aligns with diversity, equity and inclusion principles.
- Clearly describe how mentorship will help you reach your next stage of growth.
- Keep your video simple—focus on passion, clarity, and authentic connection.
If you’re unsure about eligibility or fit, program staff member, Alex Berlyand welcome questions by email and are committed to supporting applicants.
The Time to Apply is Now
Tourism in Norfolk County and beyond continues to evolve, with growing interest in authentic, hands-on, locally driven experiences. The Spark Program offers what early-stage ideas need most: encouragement, structure, mentorship, and seed funding.
By supporting innovative, collaborative, and sustainable rural projects, the program helps build a stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient tourism community in Norfolk County.
If you’ve been dreaming up an idea — no matter how big or small — this is your moment. Let the Spark Program make your idea a reality and help transform it into something visitors will love.