Economic Development eNews | October 17, 2023 | |
Happy Little Farmstead Proving Agri-Tourism Draws Crowds
SPENCERVILLE - Happy Little Farmstead Owners Lea and Alex Ardley are realizing their dream.
Since opening their agri-tourism business a year ago, a family-friendly farm featuring animals, corn mazes, hay structures, play areas and more, they've been doing big business and attracting large crowds. About 850 attended their Fall Festival last weekend and next up are their October Fright Nights.
"We've had people from as far away as Toronto and Montreal," says Lea, who grew up on the Goodin Road property. Her parents, Martine and Christophe Robert, operated a large dairy farm on the site for 30 years before retiring in late 2020.
Turning the diary barn into a multi-purpose learning and recreational facility took a bit of time. They spent two years developing their idea, including starting a large garden and orchard, but still weren't sure how well it would be received.
They needn't have worried. Great attendance numbers started immediately with their grand opening last October. More than 350 people toured the farm and helped the young couple celebrate. "It was a beautiful day for us - the atmosphere that day told us that this was going to work," says Lea. Within 3 months, she quit her job to keep up with bookings at the farm.
"This is the life - the way to do it," says Alex. "It blew up (on social media) and it is very busy sometimes but it is so much fun." At Easter, attendance soared to over 650 people.
The high school sweethearts, who tied the knot on the farm this past summer, have always wanted to be around animals and run a business. When the pandemic hit, Alex was just finishing college and Lea was working at the Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum. They came to stay at the farm and learned Lea's parents were going to retire. That's when Happy Little Farmstead took shape.
To Lea and Alex, homesteading is a lifestyle that emphasizes self-sufficiency and a closer connection to nature. "Building a strong relationship with our local community is an essential part of our approach to farming," they say.
"Our farm offers experiences that allow visitors to learn about all aspects of the farming industry. From the food we eat, to the care of farm animals, our farm provides the learning opportunities that help people to understand the important role that farming plays in our daily lives."
Within months of opening, they were getting calls from schools and requests for birthday parties and weddings.
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Top feature photo: Alex and Lea have transformed the dairy farm of her parents into an agri-tourism destination. Below photos top and centre: Their farm sign and the couple on their wedding day. | Above photo: Children enjoying the corn maze at Happy Little Farmstead. | |
"It has been wonderful. One of the best compliments we get is when kids say they don't want to leave," says Lea. Learn more about Happy Little Farmstead by visiting their website, Facebook and Instagram pages. You can connect with them via email. They are located at 3418 Goodin Road, west of Spencerville. | |
Economic Development Summit | |
Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands
Leaders Providing Update at Summit
Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands continues to be one of the top tourism and hospitality employers in the region. Each year, the casino generates significant funds to the host communities of the Town of Gananoque and the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands through the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
From ownership changes in September 2021, to pandemic shutdowns and post-pandemic challenges, Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands continues to make positive economic and social impacts in Leeds Grenville and bolsters the region’s tourism and entertainment industry.
Casino General Manager Dale Deane and Chuck Keeling, Executive Vice President, Stakeholder Engagement, Community & Social Responsibility of Great Canadian Entertainment, will give an update on operations and what's new at the casino during their presentation at this year's 15th Annual Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit.
The Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office, in partnership with Michael Barrett, M.P., Steve Clark, M.P.P., the 1000 Islands, Grenville and Valley Heartland Community Futures Development Corporations and the Eastern Workforce Innovation Board, invites you to the region's top Economic Development event of the year.
Join us for a day focused on Economic Development and Leadership and the presentation of the Bill Thake Award (Warden's Award).
WHEN: Friday, November 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: North Grenville Municipal Centre, Kemptville
COST: $50 (Advanced Registration Required)
Learn more and register by visiting the Invest site's Summit webpage.
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Dale Deane, General Manager. | Chuck Keeling, Great Canadian Entertainment Executive Vice President, Stakeholder Engagement, Community and Social Responsibility | |
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Big Expansion at Greenfield Global
JOHNSTOWN - Greenfield Global is celebrating the completion of a $160-million expansion and 30-million-gallon alcohol production upgrade at its Johnstown distillery. Plant manager Brendan Bland was joined by Greenfield officials and workers in late September for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting with Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark and MP Michael Barrett, as well as Edwardsburgh Cardinal Mayor Tory Deschamps and Deputy Mayor Stephen Dillabough.
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Greenfield produces fuel-grade ethanol and manufactures and distributes specialty alcohols around the world. This facility upgrade increases the company’s overall production of high-purity alcohol to nearly 70 million gallons per year and adds 19 full-time jobs. | |
Prescott Quality Inn and Suites is set to open in the spring of 2025. | |
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Quality Inn & Suites Groundbreaking
PRESCOTT - A groundbreaking for Prescott's first brand hotel, the 69-room Quality Inn & Suites by Choice Hotels, was recently held in the Fort Town. Located at 135 Prescott Centre Drive, the hotel will feature a swimming pool, fitness centre, business facilities, complimentary hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi, pet friendly rooms, green space and many additional amenities. Attending the groundbreaking ceremony were Prescott Mayor Gauri Shankar and members of Council, MPP Steve Clark and representatives from Downtown Prescott BIA, South Grenville Chamber of Commerce, and Grenville Community Futures Development Corporation.
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A Grant for Home-Based Businesses
Leeds Grenville is full of home-based businesses that provide important services within the community and beyond. From skilled service providers to child care operators, kennels and caterers, home-based business owners are an integral part of the local economy.
If you are the owner of a home-based small business, the Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) may be the grant for you! CDAP’s Grow Your Business Online microgrant offers $2400 in funding to help with the costs of adopting e-commerce. This grant requires that your business has a minimum of one employee on payroll (not the owner or a contractor) OR has grossed at least $30,000 in revenue in the most recent tax year.
For more information on the CDAP program, connect with our Digital Specialist, Cyndy Bolton at 613-342-3840 x 5368 or email or click here to book a free one-one-one consultation.
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Inspire, Educate and Celebrate
This year’s Bridges to Better Business Conference for Small Business Month aims to do it all:
- Local keynote speakers to inspire.
- Group-led, fast-paced idea generation sessions to educate.
- Awards honouring hardworking business owners to celebrate local success.
Be a part of this Leeds Grenville Small Business special event.
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Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library | |
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Affordable Housing Development Workshop
The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is hosting a free workshop for non-profit groups to learn about how to create an affordable housing project. The upcoming Affordable Housing 101 Workshop and GoNoGo Workshop are being presented by Cahdco, a Canadian non-profit real estate developer that has been serving the Ottawa area for thirty years.
Affordable Housing 101 covers the basic information a non-profit needs to know to create affordable housing in Canada. Cahdco identifies the different types of affordable housing (mixed, supportive, etc.), types of development (new construction, acquisition, redevelopment), three core elements (land, capital and capacity) to a project, the project team, development stages and the financial basics to make your project viable.
GoNoGo, a facilitated role-playing game, emulates the early stages of an affordable housing development project by reflecting the iterative development process. Does your project work? Is it feasible? Can you make your Go-No-Go (GoNoGo) decision? Develop a project concept and a feasibility study for an affordable housing development project. Apply for the project’s main funding source and receive the grant to win the game!
Registration for this workshop is limited. Please register in advance by contacting Tammy at the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville at (613) 342-3840 ext. 2122 or 1-800-267-8146 ext. 2122.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 25, 1-5 p.m.
WHERE: Brockville Memorial Civic Centre, 100 Magedoma Boulevard, Brockville
COST: Free
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Elevate your Entrepreneurship Skills: A Fireside Chat
Small businesses and the entrepreneurial pathway are consistently evolving. Different stages of an entrepreneur’s journey demand distinct skill sets for success. Join Futurpreneur and BDC for an engaging conversation about the critical skills young entrepreneurs need to develop in the earliest stages of starting a business.
WHEN: Thursday, October 19, 1-2:30 p.m. online
COST: Free
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Effortless Social Media: Craft a Month of Posts in Just 1 Hour with AI
Unlock the power of AI tools and strategies that will save you time, boost efficiency, and skyrocket your online exposure. By the end of this workshop, you’ll master the art of creating a full month’s worth of captivating social media captions in just one hour, ensuring your business stays connected with your audience like never before. The presenter is Mickey Anderson and the session is hosted by the Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls/Lanark County/north Leeds Grenville)
WHEN: Monday, October 30, 9-10 a.m.
COST: Free
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Marketing to the 2SLGBTQI+ Travel Market
This webinar is hosted by Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC). You've established your business as a safe space for members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community to travel to - whether it's an overnight accommodation, culinary experience or guided tour - and now you're ready to start welcoming them to your business. So how do you let travellers know about the great environment and experience you've created? Learn what makes this market unique and how best to create and market travel products for this community.
WHEN: Monday, October 30, 10-11 a.m. online webinar
COST: Free
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Lead Magnet Magic: Grow Your Email List with AI in Under 30 Minutes!
Ready to supercharge your email marketing? Join presenter Mickey Anderson and unveil the magic of AI to craft a lead magnet that attracts qualified leads and grows your email list in under 30 minutes. Say goodbye to endless hours of manual labour and hello to a thriving list of potential customers. This session is hosted by the Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls/Lanark County/north Leeds Grenville)
WHEN: Monday, November 6, 9-10 a.m.
COST: Free
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New Hires? Keep them Safe and Integrated
Learn the simple steps when hiring new workers to ensure that everyone returns home safe at the end of the day. This session will inform you on what the law requires, as well as what resources you need and where to find them in order to stay in compliance and increase the safety in your business. This online session is hosted by Leeds Grenville Small Business. It is co-facilitated by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training & Skills Development and Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS).
WHEN: Tuesday, November 7, 12-1:30 p.m. via zoom
COST: Free
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Leeds Grenville eNews Deadlines for submitting information:
If you have an upcoming workshop, seminar, or business-related event, please email it to us in advance.
- Submissions for the October 31st edition should be received by Monday, October 23rd.
- Submissions for the November 14th edition should be received by Monday, November 6th.
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Ann Weir
Economic Development Manager
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Deanna Clark
Economic Development Officer
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Joanne Poll
Administration / Communications Support
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Shelbi McFarlane
Business Development Officer
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