Agriculture & Rural Economic Development Newsletter
December 2022 | Volume 11, Issue 6
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In This Issue:
Grown in Durham
- Celebrate Agriculture Award recipients
Made in Durham
- DesBarres Chocolate: A sweet local gift this holiday season
Regional Feature
- Shop Where You Live, Shop In Durham
Funding Opportunities
- Georgina Association for Business (GAB) funding available to north Durham businesses
- On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) - intake opening soon
- Kawartha Conservation Agricultural Stewardship Program
- Business Scale-up Productivity funding
Programs, Updates & News
- Farmer Wellness Program
- Province announces new Grow Ontario agri-food strategy
Upcoming Events
- THEE (Tyrone, Haydon, Enniskillen, Enfield) Farmers Parade of Lights
- Holiday Trail Comes to Life in downtown Uxbridge
- Sunderland Santa Claus Parade
- Grey Bruce Farmers' Week - Durham Sheep Day event
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Celebrate Agriculture Award recipients |
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Durham Farm Connections hosted the Celebrate Agriculture Gala on October 27 at the Scugog Community Recreation Centre. This event celebrates agriculture in Durham Region and the contributions of individuals, businesses and farm families across the agri-food sector.
As part of the event, awards were announced to honour individuals who have made significant contributions in support of agriculture in Durham Region. The awards included the Spirit of Agriculture Award, Farm Family Award and Leadership Award. Congratulations to the following well-deserving award recipients:
- Spirit of Agriculture Award: Tracey Werry.
- Farm Family Award: Altona Lea Farms, the Barkey and Puterbough families.
- Leadership Award: awarded posthumously to Aiden Hulshof.
Follow along with Durham Farm Connections by liking their Facebook page.
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DesBarres Chocolate: A sweet local gift this holiday season |
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Did you know that Uxbridge is home to a micro-batch manufacturer of single-origin, bean to bar chocolate, sourcing direct trade cacao from around the world? DesBarres Chocolate is one of north Durham’s hidden gems that takes pride in making sure that you can pronounce every ingredient in their products as they only use cacao, organic cane sugar and, on occasion, fresh spices or flavourings.
DesBarres Chocolate can be found in select retailers across north Durham, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Alberta, British Columbia and even the United Kingdom. You can also have products shipped right to your door no matter where you live around the world.
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Shop Where You Live, Shop In Durham |
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Small businesses are the heart of a community! Not only do they employ a large percentage of our workforce, but they also contribute to the local economy. Local business generates 70 per cent more local economic activity per square foot than big box retail. Small businesses are essential in creating vibrant communities to live, work, visit and raise a family!
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Georgina Association for Business (GAB) funding available to north Durham businesses |
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Businesses located in the Townships of Brock, Scugog or Uxbridge who are looking for capital to assist with business expansion, the purchase of new assets, the purchase of an existing business or to startup a new business are encouraged to explore business financing options through the GAB. Approved businesses may receive business loans up to $400,000 in value.
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On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) - intake opening soon |
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The next intake for the OFCAF will be open from January 4 to 18, 2023. Cost share funding is provided to successful farmer applications which implement new practices for nitrogen management, rotational grazing and cover cropping. More information can be found at the Ontario Soil and Crop website.
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Kawartha Conservation Agricultural Stewardship Program |
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The Talbot River Healthy Environment Initiative supports agricultural landowners in the Upper Talbot River Subwatershed area with technical and financial support to implement riparian Best Management Practices projects up to $12,000 in cost. Candidates are now being accepted for projects taking place in spring and summer of 2023. Eligible projects include tree and shrub planting, livestock exclusion fencing, alternate watering systems and more!
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Business Scale-up Productivity funding |
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FedDev is offering funding to eligible businesses in rural southern Ontario looking to promote business scale-up and diversification, attract talent, adopt new technology, increase connectivity, leverage local assets and more.
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The Farmer Wellness Program is offered by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Durham Region Federation of Agriculture to provide local mental health support to farmers. The program offers flexible appointments with farm-focused experts which are fully private and confidential.
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Province announces new Grow Ontario agri-food strategy |
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The province has announced its future vision for agri-food in Ontario with the release of the Grow Ontario strategy. The strategy outlines plans to:
- Strengthen agri-food supply chain stability.
- Increase agri-food technology and adoption.
- Attract and grow Ontario’s agri-food talent.
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THEE (Tyrone, Haydon, Enniskillen, Enfield) Farmers Parade of Lights |
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THEE Farmers Parade of Lights is back this year as a self-driving tour. This is a great opportunity to explore the countrysides of Tyrone, Haydon, Enniskillen and Enfield, and enjoy the light displays at farms along the way. Like their Facebook Page for more updates and to view the map for the self-driving parade. Farm light displays will be set up from December 7 to 11. Enjoy!
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Holiday Trail Comes to Life in downtown Uxbridge |
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Throughout the month of December, make your way out to Brock Street in beautiful downtown Uxbridge to shop, dine and discover the 2022 Uxbridge Holiday Trail. Check out “Holidays Around the World” featured in shop windows and take advantage of Holiday Trail specials at local eateries.
On December 9 and 10 from 5 to 8 p.m., the Holiday Trail comes to life with musicians, strolling characters, a “Toonie Trail”, trolley rides through the fantasy of lights and so much more!
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Sunderland Santa Claus Parade |
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Santa Claus is coming to Sunderland on December 10 from 7 to 9 p.m., for the Sunderland Santa Claus Parade! The parade will start at Sunderland Memorial Arena and travel through the streets of Sunderland. Don’t miss it!
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Grey Bruce Farmers' Week - Durham Sheep Day event |
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Save the date! The District 7 Sheep Producers and Durham Region Federation of Agriculture are teaming up to offer a local showing of the Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week Sheep Day event on January 7, 2023.
Topics to be presented include pregnancy toxemia and milk fever, growing the flock, colostrum quality and lamb passive transfer, outwintering sheep, barn ventilation, alternative feed opportunities, environmental footprint and more!
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For more frequent updates on Durham Region success stories, resources, local news, fun facts and more, follow @DurhamAgRural on Twitter. #DurhamAg #NorthDurham
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Contact Us
Toll-free: 1-800-706-9857
As a contact of the Region of Durham's Planning and Economic Development Department, you have been added to our mailing list. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please use the unsubscribe link located at the bottom of this e-newsletter.
If this information is required in an accessible format, please contact the Planning and Economic Development Department at 905-668-7711 ext. 2609 (toll-free at 1-800-706-9857).
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