December 2024

Durham Agriculture Leadership Program 

Lead your farm business into the future by growing your leadership skills with the Durham Agriculture Leadership Program. Starting in January 2025 and running once monthly until April, take part in this engaging four-part series. 

 

Each session will address important topics in agriculture leadership and will feature industry-leading speakers and networking opportunities.  

 

  • Module one (January 28): Agricultural challenges and opportunities from a global perspective. This session will look at global business economics, Canada’s role in global agriculture and what it means for Durham Region farmers. 

 

  • Module two (February 25): Effective communication in business and beyond. This session will provide tools for talking about difficult issues and how to effectively communicate and work with different personalities.  

 

  • Module three (March 25): Leading a resilient agri-business. This session is where business and leadership intersect. Discussions will focus on examples and tools for making good business decisions. 

 

  • Module four (April 8): How to be a voice for agriculture. This session will inspire and teach participants how to tell their story to non-farming audiences, and how to communicate with decision makers. 

 

Lunch will be provided at each of the afternoon sessions. A separate evening session will also be offered on February 25 entitled Finding fairness in family transition.” This program is specifically designed for farmers and farm families.  

 

Registration is required for all sessions. Book your spot early and get a special deal on all four afternoon modules. 

Register for the Durham Agriculture Leadership Program

Farmer Wellness Initiative

When it comes to farming, mental health is as important as physical health. Improve your overall wellbeing by accessing free, unlimited mental health counselling with the Farmer Wellness Initiative



It offers counselling that is specific to the challenges that can be experienced by those in the agricultural community. The Farmer Wellness Initiative is open to Ontario farmers, farm families, farm employees and the spouses and dependents of farm employees. Intake is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year and once you reach out, you will connect with a counsellor within a week. 

Learn more about the Farmer Wellness Initiative

Be A Part Of Durham Farm Fresh

Membership is now open for Durham Farm Fresh. Join the growing list of farmers, food producers, retailers and restaurant owners who are a part of this not-for-profit marketing association.

 

Benefits of membership include local food marketing initiatives, networking and opportunities to take part in industry workshops. Join now and be featured in the 2025 brochure. Email Erica Orleni at coordinator@DurhamFarmFresh.ca to find out more. 

Discover the benefits of Durham Farm Fresh

Celebrate Agriculture Awards

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Celebrate Agriculture Awards

Each year, Durham Farm Connections recognizes outstanding individuals, families, and organizations that make a difference in our agricultural community. 


  • Leadership Award – Ursula Kressibucher for her outstanding leadership, community involvement, and inspiring passion for agriculture.

  

  • Family Farm Award – Tindall Family for their longstanding legacy of innovation in farming and commitment to community service.

  

  • Spirit of Agriculture Award – Zac Cohoon of Twin Erin Farms for his tireless efforts in promoting and supporting agriculture in Durham.
Learn more about the awards and the recipients

OFA's Cultivating Local

Interested in boosting local food sales, agritourism, or starting a value-added venture? The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has launched Cultivating Local, a series of free online workshops that dig into opportunities to sell direct to consumers in Ontario.

  

The next workshop is on January 9, 2025, with four more planned through to February:

  

  

Whether you are an experienced farmer, new to the industry or considering a venture, these workshops are open to everyone. 

Learn more about Cultivating Local workshops

Agricultural Education With Durham Farm Connections

Stay on top of farming and agriculture education opportunities with Durham Farm Connections. The mission of this volunteer run organization is to provide agricultural opportunities for the farm and non-farm communities in Durham Region as well as ensuring the viability of the agriculture sector.

  

Follow Durham Farm Connections on Facebook, X and Instagram to learn more about food and farming in Durham Region. 


Learn more about Durham Farm Connections

Funding Opportunities

Apply for EFAO’s Small Grains Program 


Applications close December 16 at 10 a.m. for the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario’s (EFAO) Small Grains Program. The program helps offset some of the cost of growing new acres of small grains and is open to all Ontario farmers regardless of agronomic practices. 

Find out how to apply.

Honey Bee Health Initiative


The Honey Bee Health Initiative is closing soon, and eligible Ontario beekeepers should apply now for cost-share funding. The program runs under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and supports beekeepers in maintaining healthy colonies and increasing the sustainability of the bee keeping industry in Ontario.

Learn more about the program.

Save On Energy Retrofit Program

 

Upgrade your equipment and improve your operations with the Save on Energy Retrofit program. The program offers financial incentives through various streams and encourages businesses, including agricultural facilities, to upgrade their equipment with energy-efficient alternatives.  

Learn how the program works. 

Funding For Agri-Food Sector 


Financial assistance opportunities remain open for on-farm sustainability, labour attraction and other projects. The governments of Canada and Ontario are still accepting applications for initiatives designed to enhance the province’s $50.7 billion agri-food sector through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. 

Discover funding opportunities. 

Upcoming Events

Agricultural Updates To The Provincial Planning Statement Webinar 

Join Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) on January 28, 2025, for an online session about key changes to agricultural related policies in the updated Provincial Planning Statement, including highlighting the province-wide Agricultural Systems approach.


The session will run from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. 

Register for the webinar

News and Headlines

Innovation Investment In Agri-Food Sector 


The federal and provincial governments are investing an additional $3.5 million in the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI). The money will support the development and adoption of new technologies for farmers, food processors and agri-businesses to enhance their competitiveness and growth.


Read the news release

Person holding a wooden crate of garden fruit and vegetables

Support for Young Entrepreneurs 


The Ontario government is investing $2 million in Futurpreneur Canada, a non-profit entrepreneurship organization, to help 300 young entrepreneurs start a new business. The investment will have a focus on rural and Northern communities in Ontario.


Learn more about the investment

Visit the Invest Durham Event Calendar for business-related events
Subscribe to Invest Durham Weekly Careers Newsletter on LinkedIn

Contact Us

Toll-free: 1-800-706-9857

InvestDurham.ca 





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