New gift to Guelph OAC boosts rural health and data access to shape policy and practice in rural communities
Strong and healthy rural communities are essential to a successful agri-food system. A new $1.65-million gift from the McCall MacBain Foundation to the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) will help achieve this goal. This funding will support a new research initiative to collect and share vital data about the well-being of rural communities in Ontario and, eventually, across Canada.
Led by Dr. Leith Deacon, professor at the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, the project will launch the HEAR initiative—Health, Economy, and Adaptation in Rural Communities. Deacon will also become the first McCall MacBain Chair in Resilient Rural Communities. The project’s goal is to gather and use data that reflects the unique challenges faced by rural populations.
Beginning in 2026, rural residents in Ontario will be surveyed on health issues (like physical and mental health and addiction), economic topics (like employment and migration), and environmental adaptation (like climate change and emergency preparedness). These surveys will help shape better policies based on real rural experiences.
A key part of HEAR is making data more accessible. An online dashboard will share the results in simple terms and include a portal where users can request specific data. This will help rural groups use the information for planning, policy development, and funding applications.
Deacon has experience in this area—he previously led a COVID-19 study with nearly 25,000 responses. The current project builds on that work by aiming for long-term impact.
“The dashboard will include a data request portal, allowing rural stakeholders to submit tailored data queries,” says Deacon. “By grounding this feature in transparency, reciprocity, and inclusion, we’re ensuring that the data collected from rural communities is not only accessible, but truly useful to the people it represents.”
The funding will also help train students, form a steering committee, and share findings publicly. “This project will fill a critical gap and provide trusted, actionable insights that can help shape policy and practice in rural communities,” says OAC dean Dr. John Cranfield. “We are deeply grateful to the McCall MacBain Foundation for their visionary support.”
Photo Credit: U-of-G-logo