Beyond Ontario Agriculture Week | | |
Durham Region marked Ontario Agriculture Week October 6 to 12, and the celebration of our vibrant food and farming community continues. From fresh produce to locally made goods, there’s so much to explore and support close to home.
We’re encouraging Durham Region to keep the momentum going by checking out Invest Durham’s Local Food Directory to discover local producers, following Durham Tourism on Instagram for fall festivals, farm experiences, and seasonal inspiration and exploring Durham Farm Fresh for more ways to keep our farms thriving.
| | Brock Public Meeting: Agricultural Land Use Policy | | |
A public meeting will be held on October 27 at 6:00 p.m. for residents of Brock Township to learn more about proposed policy changes for agriculture-related and on-farm diversified uses.
Alongside the Townships of Scugog and Uxbridge, Brock Township is proposing to update its Official Plan and Zoning By-law to implement recommendations from the North Durham Agriculture-Related and On-Farm Diversified Uses Study. The project looked at ways to build a thriving, resilient north Durham by supporting expanded business opportunities for farmers and agriculture-supporting businesses, while balancing farmland protection.
People can attend the meeting in Council Chambers or watch live online. A recording will be posted afterwards. This is an opportunity to hear about the proposed changes, ask questions, and provide feedback. Those wishing to speak should email clerks@brock.ca or call 705-432-2355 and request the clerk’s department. The amendments are still under review, and no decisions will be made at this meeting. To read more about Brock’s proposed amendments, visit the Township’s website.
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Gather at the Farm in Durham Region
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Fall is in full swing and so is Gather at the Farm. Throughout October, Durham Region’s agricultural community takes centre stage with this fall celebration.
Gather at the Farm invites people to explore the farms, markets and events that make up Durham. Whether it’s picking apples, meeting farm animals or markets filled with homemade baked goods and seasonal produce, it's the perfect time to plan an outing.
Gather at the Farm is more than a seasonal celebration. It’s a chance to meet the people and places that help drive Durham’s agri-food community year-round.
| | Cultivating Connections at Durham’s Farm Tour | | |
The Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (DAAC) successfully held its annual farm tour on September 4. The event brought together over 120 participants from both within and outside the agri-food sector.
This year’s DAAC tour was hosted at Kubota Canada Limited headquarters in Pickering, highlighting the important role of industries that support farming and agriculture in Durham Region. Attendees toured Kubota’s warehouse, got a firsthand look at agricultural equipment and heard insights on plant science innovation from Ian Affleck, the Vice-President of Plant Biotechnology at CropLife Canada.
| | Celebrate Local with the Feast On® Mixer | | |
Taste, talk and team up at the Feast On® Mixer happening November 10 at the Trail Hub’s Nest restaurant in Uxbridge.
Whether you're proudly Feast On® certified or just starting your journey into the local food moment, this event is your opportunity to connect with industry peers, collaborate on ideas, and celebrate the power of good food.
Curious to see who’s already a part of Feast On® in Durham Region? Check out these certified businesses.
| | Journey of the Durham Region Apple | | |
Apples are a huge part of Durham Region’s thriving agricultural sector. In fact, Durham is one of the largest apple producing regions in the province and is home to the Apple Capital of Canada in Newcastle.
But getting those apples from farm to plate is an extensive process: from harvesting, to sorting and packing and then distributing to retail outlets and bakeries. The video series, From Farm to Plate: Journey of the Durham Region Apple, offers a behind-the-scenes look of each step in action, highlighting the strength of Durham’s agri-food supply chain.
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Celebrate Agriculture Gala
Durham Farm Connection's Celebrate Agriculture Gala is coming up October 23 at the Royal Ashburn Golf Club in Whitby.
The annual event is a celebration of Durham Region’s agriculture community and offers connection, celebration, and recognition of the dedication, hard work and passion found throughout Durham.
Enjoy an evening of local food and beverages, entertainment, silent and live auctions and the Celebrate Agriculture awards. These awards recognize individuals, families, volunteer groups, organizations, and businesses who support and champion agriculture in Durham. Buy tickets for Celebrate Agriculture Gala.
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Diversify Your Farm’s Future
Join Invest Clarington on November 18 at Haydon Community Hall for an afternoon session focused on on-farm diversified uses and agriculture-related business opportunities.
At Planting the Seed: Diversifying Your Farm’s Future, you’ll learn about recent efforts in Durham Region to support zoning updates that make these uses easier to undertake, hear from Clarington Planning staff about current local policies, and gain practical marketing insights to help grow your agri-business.
This event is part of the Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD)'s Do It In Durham Week which runs November 17 to 21. Watch BACD for registration details.
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Free Workshop: Farm Succession
Planning for the future is one of the biggest challenges facing farm families today. On November 19, take part in 33seven's free farm succession and continuity planning workshop.
You’ll get practical tools you can use right away including how to do a farm business valuation, learning the essentials of trusts, estate freezes and wills and exploring practical examples of insurance coverage, building ownership structures, and financing.
The in-person session runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Goodwood Community Centre in Uxbridge. Register for your free spot.
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Young Farmer Summit
Farmers under 40 are invited to sharpen their farm management skills at the Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Young Farmer Summit, happening November 29 at the Great Blue Heron Casino and Hotel in Port Perry.
This free, full-day event is an opportunity to connect with fellow young farmers and explore important topics including farm management, economic resilience, succession planning and mental health. Hosted by Olympian and rancher Serge Walker, the summit features author, Dr. Tom Deans as the keynote speaker.
Register for the Young Farmer Summit.
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Grain Farmers of Ontario celebrated Ontario Agriculture Week with a video tribute to the farm families who grow the grains that feed Ontario and the world. Watch the “We are grain farmers” video.
The Ontario government is investing more than $41 million over the next four years to build and upgrade infrastructure at Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario facilities across the province. Learn more about the investment.
Food group Nestle is withdrawing from a global alliance for cutting methane emissions that aims to reduce the impact of dairy farming on global warming. Read more about the move.
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Contact Us
Toll-free: 1-800-706-9857
InvestDurham.ca
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