AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS NEWSLETTER 
February 2018 Volume 7, Issue 1
New needle-free technology available in Uxbridge! 
AcuShot Inc., a global leader in the development of needle-free technology, is happy to announce the opening of its new location at 182 Main Street in Uxbridge.
 
"Interest in applying needle-free technology is growing," said General Manager, Cal Funk. "Whether it's for human or animal use, people are looking for alternatives to the use of needles, and AcuShot is poised to fill this need. Our new facility is crucial in preparing us for current and future market demands."
 
"This location will allow us to expand the operations that, until recently, have been housed in the Colpitts Design Inc. building next door," said Warren Toles, President of AcuShot. "The new space will give us much needed room for our research and development department, as well as assembly, shipping and receiving." 

For more information, please visit acushot.ca

Enjoy homemade products delivered right to your door
Krumbs Breadery & Stuff is a home bakery located in Clarington, created by two local friends. You can enjoy fresh, homemade, delicious bakery items made with the highest attention to quality, using healthy and fresh local ingredients.
 
If you would rather not leave your house to enjoy these products, don't worry! Krumbs Breadery & Stuff offers a weekly delivery service to Clarington and surrounding areas, providing customers with products at their front door.
 
Visit krumbsbreadery.ca to place your order today!
REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
At The Regional Municipality of Durham, we aim to serve you by keeping you up-to-date on current economic development initiatives, projects and opportunities in Durham Region. Project highlights include:
  • The Durham Environmental Advisory Committee (DEAC) is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Environmental Achievement Awards.  The annual awards program provides an opportunity to recognize individuals and organizations that dedicate time to promote, preserve and enhance the region's natural environment. Past nominees include local residents and businesses that have demonstrated measures undertaken to protect the environment and make Durham Region a healthier and better place to live.  Nomination forms are currently available by contacting deac@durham.ca . The deadline for submissions is March 2.
      
Three Durham Region projects will receive RED funding
Durham Region is one of 86 communities across the province receiving support through the Rural Economic Development (RED) program! This program supports the government's plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives by removing barriers and identifying economic strengths.

The following Durham Region projects are being recognized:
  • The Town of Uxbridge will receive up to $20,000 to implement communications/promotional activities related to new culvert and construction on Brock Street West; ensuring the downtown business community and residents are supported.
  • The Brock Youth Centre will receive approximately $95,000 to develop a strong entrepreneurial education program.
  • The Township of Scugog will receive $25,000 to develop a Community Improvement Plan for the Port Perry Employment Area.
For more information about the RED program, visit omafra.gov.on.ca.
Brock Youth Centre programs are now available
The Brock Youth Centre focuses on entrepreneurship development for high school students and young adults. There are many training and mentorship opportunities, which will assist these individuals in reaching their overall career goals.
 
Two upcoming programs include:  
 
Business Idea Competition: The fifth annual competition will give Port Perry, Uxbridge and Brock high school students the opportunity to enter a "Dragon's Den" style competition to win a cash prize.

EDGE Program: The Entrepreneurship Development Generating Employment (EDGE) program offers youth ages 18 to 29 the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship, employability skills and networking through workshops and business plan development.
 
To learn more about these programs visit BrockYouth.me.
Helping high school students with internships
The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative will help fund internships for both high school students and post-secondary graduates who wish to work in the agricultural industry.  Funding is available through the following two streams:

Green Farms Stream: Farmers could receive up to $10,000 per youth intern to implement projects that would benefit the environment.

Green Internships Stream: Employers in the agricultural sector (not directly on a farm) could receive up to $16,000, per post-secondary graduate intern, to undertake environmental activities, services or research that will benefit the sector.

For more information, visit www.agr.gc.ca.
  
It's Maple Syrup Season!
Each spring, residents and visitors travel to north Durham to attend the annual Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival and Purple Woods Maple Syrup Festival. Here, visitors can experience the innovations of today's maple syrup industry first-hand and to enjoy a fun, event-filled weekend, all while supporting local agriculture. The Purple Woods Maple Syrup Festival begins March 9, and the Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival will be held the first weekend of April. 
Durham Farm Connections 12th Annual 
Grade 3 Program is taking place in April

From April 3 to 5, Grade 3 students will learn about the farm communities within Durham Region and the farmers who help put food on our tables!

Each year, more than 1,200 students rotate through nine different agriculture-themed stations which include live animal displays and hands-on demonstrations by local farmers. This year's stations include apples, eggs, crops, dairy, pork, beef, land stewardship, sheep and vegetables.

To learn more visit DurhamFarmConnections.ca.
Canada celebrates Agriculture February 13
Canada's Agriculture Day is a time to showcase the amazing things happening in our industry, and create a closer connection with consumers about where their food comes from, and the people who produce it.
 
To learn about initiatives and events taking place all over the country, visit AgricultureMoreThanEver.ca.
 Learn more about Brock's
Business Retention and Expansion project

Last year, a tourism-focused Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) project was launched in the Township of Brock to support local business development and job creation.
 
To date, confidential interviews have been conducted with over 40 businesses and/or organizations from across the township. On February 1, business owners, organization representatives and other tourism stakeholders were invited to a BR+E Taskforce Retreat, to review data collected throughout the interview process and provide input that will help to shape the tourism industry in Brock.
 
Next steps include reviewing the input gathered at the retreat and developing a Final Report and Action Plan. For more information, visit TownshipOfBrock.ca.
Calling all entrepreneurs!

Are you looking to start a new business, or grow your current one? The Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD) has the tools and resources to help you make it happen! 
 
There are a number of great upcoming programs and events designed to help you achieve your business goals. Learn more about these opportunities by visiting bacd.ca.
Scugog Chambers of Commerce has relocated!
The Scugog Chamber of Commerce has relocated to 84 Water Street in Port Perry. The committee celebrated its grand opening by hosting an open house on January 18. More than 30 residents attended the event to check out the new location.
 
Also joining the chamber at the Water Street location is Employment Ontario, Durham College, Durham Farm Fresh, and the Scugog Lake Stewards.
 
Visit ScugogChamber.ca to learn more about the Scugog Chambers of Commerce.
The history of the Mustard family
The Mustard family, which owns a dairy farm in Uxbridge, was featured in the winter 2018 Ontario Holstein Link magazine. The article talks about how the farm has been in the family since 1853 and is now on its sixth generation. It also explains how the family hasn't always owned cows, and how they got where they are today.
BUSINESS EVENTS
Toll-free: 1-800-706-9857
Online:  InvestDurham.ca

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If this information is required in an accessible format, please contact the Planning and Economic Development Department at 905-668-7711 ext. 2615 (toll-free at 1-800-706-9857).