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Economic Development eNews | November 7, 2017
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Top feature photo: Brothers Rob and Doug Baker carry on a tradition of customer service first started by their late father, Glenn Baker, in 1959.
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Photo above: Spencer Franklin, right, gets an order ready in the warehouse.
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Rob manages the retail side of the business and enjoys surprising customers with the variety of product lines.
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Baker brothers carry on a tradition
of specialized customer service
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FORFAR - Baker's Feed Store Ltd. and Country Living Centre has the warm feel of a busy, multi-service community hub its many customers have come to rely on.
On any given day, there is a steady stream of people checking out indoor displays of the various product lines in the 2,400-square-foot retail space. Farm supplies, hardware, footwear, clothing, pet food and bird seed are all available. Customers chat on the wide loading dock while products are loaded.
Over on the mill side, complete feeds and feed supplements are manufactured for small and large-scale farm operations. Custom milling services are provided along with the company's complete line of dairy, beef, poultry, swine and horse feeds.
"We like to be known as people you can talk to," says Rob Baker, who owns Baker's with his brother Doug. Clientele rely on their decades of experience and expertise.
"We like to think we contribute to the success of our customers," says Doug, who manages the mill side of the business.
It is important to the brothers to maintain customer confidence with well-informed, up-to-date advice on their products and services.
Top-notch customer service started with their father, Glenn, who opened Baker's nearly 60 years ago. The first year of operation was done with one employee, one small delivery truck with a focus on processing local grain and providing a feed service only. The original mill was completely destroyed by fire in 1974 only to be rebuilt and modified to its current structure.
Baker's employs 8-10 people, including two farm consultants who travel throughout the area. There is a fleet of delivery trucks servicing the farming communities of Leeds Grenville, Frontenac and Lanark.
The company currently manufactures additional feed on a wholesale basis for two area dealerships and has set up three points of sale to redistribute their feed products from other locations.
A recent letter from a customer reads: "Thank you for always taking such good care of us. You guys and gals are awesome!" That's what the Baker's Feed team likes to hear.
Learn more about Baker's by visiting their operation in Forfar, by calling 613-272-2545 or by email at [email protected]
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Augusta Farms owners Stuart and April Pratt, at left and second from right, are the recipients of this year's Augusta Township Trail Blazer Award. They are shown with Deputy Mayor Bill Buckler, second from left, and Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark, at right.
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Bud the Spud and Augusta Farms
win township's top business awards
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MAYNARD - Popular eatery Bud the Spud Chip Wagon of Maitland is the 2017 Augusta Township Business of the Year.
Owner Bernie La Chance received the honour at the Augusta Township Economic Development and Tourism Committee Business of the Year Breakfast at the Grenville Snowmobile Club. Helping present the certificates was Deputy Mayor Bill Buckler, who heads the committee.
Bud the Spud, open from April to late October, prides itself on serving a variety of favourites with quick and friendly service. This season Bud the Spud's outdoor seating area was expanded and upgraded to improve customer comfort.
Recipient of the second annual Trail Blazer Award was Augusta Farms, owned by Stuart and April Pratt and their blended family.
Augusta Farms is located on Kyle Road.
The farm started with livestock and has now expanded into fresh local produce, eggs, preserves and pickles. Demand has increased dramatically so a commercial-sized greenhouse has been added. The farm also serves 55 families with its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) baskets. Products are also available at The Butcher Shop in Brockville.
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Bernie La Chance, right, is owner of the Bud the Spud Chip Wagon on County Road 2 in Maitland.
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Economic Development Summit
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Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit registration open until this Friday, November 10
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Register today for the 2017 Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit - Collaborating in a Global Marketplace. Check out the advanced agenda and this year's keynote speaker Pierre
Cléroux,
Vice-President, Research and Chief Economist, BDC.
WHEN: Friday, November 17, 2017. Registration 8:30 a.m., Schedule 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE:
North Grenville Municipal Centre, 285 County Road 44, Kemptville, Ontario.
COST:
$27 (includes light breakfast, lunch, snacks)
ONLINE REGISTRATION:
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, November 10, 2017.
Don't miss this opportunity, register today. Only 36 tickets remaining.
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Ignite Inspiration Tourism Summit later this month
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LANSDOWNE - Hosted by the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands, the summit will feature keynote speakers Guy LaFlamme, Executive Director of Ottawa 2017, and Carol Greenwood, of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario,
as well as a panel discussion entitled "Inspire from Within: Local Businesses Share Their Successes." Learn about the benefits of sourcing local, networking within and building businesses together.
WHEN: Friday, November 24, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
WHERE: Lansdowne Community Hall,
1 Jessie Street, Lansdowne
COST: Free
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SEO Basics
There are a few spaces remaining in the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Basics session presented by Lindsay Kavanaugh of SEO Plus.
WHEN: Thursday, November 9, 9 - 11 a.m.
WHERE: Small Business Advisory Centre,
91 Cornelia Street West,
Smiths Falls
COST: $20
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Breakfast & Business
This is a four-session series of workshops beginning with how to Maximize Your Next Online Marketing Campaign. Subsequent sessions in January, March and May will be held in Kemptville and Brockville.
WHEN: Session 1: Friday, November 24, 7:30-10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Prescott Town Hall, 360 Dibble Street, Prescott
COST: $25 or four sessions for $80.
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LinkedIn Best Practices
Learn about demographics and best practices for developing and managing a professional account. Participants will learn how to accept and send friend requests, post images and articles, interact with others.
WHEN: Thursday, November
23, 1-3 p.m.
WHERE: Small Business Advisory Centre,
91 Cornelia Street West,
Smiths Falls
COST: $20
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Correction: The East Region Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) Legal Conference on Tuesday, November 14, runs from 7:45 a.m. to 4:40 p.m., not to 11 a.m. as previously reported.
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