Agriculture and Rural Affairs Newsletter
January 2020 | Volume 9, Issue 1
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In This Issue:
- CasTool Systems expands in Uxbridge
- We Grow Food is growing and teaching in your community
- The Region recognizes the importance of broadband access as a necessity for every household and business
- Invest Durham: growing forward
- Durham Region Federation of Agriculture explores dream of establishing a permanent agriculture education centre
- Brock Youth Centre is now Building Youth Capacity
- Community Economic Development Webinar
- Durham Farm Fresh 2019 in Review
- Celebrate Canada's Agriculture Day on February 11
- Brock and Uxbridge welcome new CAOs
- Province of Ontario Newsroom
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CasTool Tooling Systems expands in Uxbridge
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CasTool Tooling Systems
, located in Uxbridge, recently completed a $3.5 million expansion to its facility, scaling it up to 90,000 square feet, and now employing 140 people. When CasTool began operating in Uxbridge in 2006, they only had 50 employees. CasTool has also expanded into Thailand, with plans to expand further to Morocco. The ribbon cutting for the expansion was held on December 3, 2019 and was attended by MP Jennifer O’Connell, a representative from MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy’s office, Uxbridge Mayor Dave Barton, and members of Uxbridge Council.
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We Grow Food is growing and teaching in your community
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We Grow Food (WGF) is a grass roots organization that provides education to community members about connecting to their food in an environmental, sustainable and health-conscious way. WGF teaches and uses organic practices and supports a “no waste” philosophy—using everything they grow as either food or organic matter for composting to create healthy soil.
Established in 2013, WGF farms has nearly two urban acres, in five neighbourhoods, producing approximately 21,000 pounds of food, and have offered 40 educational programs.
The new WGF Mobile Greenhouse Classroom, which includes eight educational and interactive modules and food garden installations, is being developed for the summer of 2020 and will be deployed at schools throughout Durham Region. The mobile classroom will educate students on things like sustainable eating, water conservation and catchment for your garden, composting for healthy soil, seed saving and much more.
For more information on We Grow Food, the Mobile Greenhouse Classroom, or to learn how you can help, please contact: Carol Vandersanden at 905-439-2527, Michelle Perry at 289-356-0191, or email
communications.wegrowfood@gmail.com
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The Region recognizes the importance of broadband access as a necessity for every household and business
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Realizing that many parts of the Region do not have equitable, reliable, and affordable broadband access, the Region has embarked on a bold strategy to address this digital divide.
We need to hear from you to help us identify specific issues with your broadband service. On January 7, the Region will be rolling out separate broadband surveys targeted to the residents (with additional questions for farms) and the business community. We hope that everyone will take the time to complete the surveys. The data will provide us insights from our communities and help to determine the next steps forward.
An accessible print version of the survey will be available from the municipal office or at your local library.
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Invest Durham: growing forward
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Durham Region Economic Development is moving forward as Invest Durham, as of December 3, 2019. Along with the new name, Invest Durham has a refreshed brand identity. This new logo improves accessibility and aims to modernize the brand. Invest Durham will encompass both Film Durham and Agriculture and Rural.
Refreshing the brand is a way to signify that both the Region’s economic development activities and Durham’s economic outlook are transforming for the better. Recently, the Durham Region Economic Development team launched a
new website
, that allows for a branded Invest Durham experience.
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The dream of establishing a permanent agriculture education centre in Durham Region has been a long time in the making and an often-discussed topic in the Durham agriculture community. The initial concept was to develop a permanent home for the over decade-old successful Durham Farm Connections agriculture education programming and associated projects.
The opportunity to further develop this vision has been provided through funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. With these funds, a consultant team, with direction from a project steering committee have completed a study of the feasibility of such a venture.
A broad network of stakeholders has been engaged and provided feedback. New potential partners have indicated interest in future relationships to investigate how common goals may be met. The project team continues to look forward to making more future connections.
To access a copy of either of the study reports, please send a request to the Durham Region Federation of Agriculture at
drafgric@gmail.com
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For more information on the Durham Region Federation of Agriculture, visit
https://ofa.on.ca/
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Brock Youth Centre is now Building Youth Capacity
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Building Youth Capacity (BYC) are a virtual organization without bricks and mortar, who travel to the three north Durham townships (Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge) to work with youth in their own communities.
BYC has been rebranded from Brock Youth Centre, in acknowledgement of the fact that BYC is involved in all three townships. BYC’s goal is to offer programs that will help combat the 20 per cent youth unemployment rate in Durham Region by helping youth to develop skills that will prepare them for the ever-changing world of work.
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Community Economic Development Webinar
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On January 14, February 13 and 25, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is offering a webinar titled Community Economic Development (CED) 201, which aims to help you:
- Deepen your understanding of CED
- Identify your team and understand ways to interact to achieve your goals
- Explore your community’s readiness
- Better understand available tools
Register for a CED 201 webinar
here
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Durham Farm Fresh: 2019 in review
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Durham Farm Fresh had an exciting and busy year in 2019: they launched their new seasonal flavour trails, Summer Berry, Harvest and Holiday; rebooted the Gates Open: Find Your Flavour farm events
;
developed the Cycle the Greenbelt map; and redesigned the
Durham Farm Fresh website
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On top of all these exciting developments, four new members joined the organization, Rob Alexander from Nature’s Bounty was elected as president, and Kelsey Owens from Coopers CSA Farm was welcomed to the 2020 Board of Directors.
Here’s to more exciting things to come in 2020!
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Celebrate Canada's Agriculture Day on February 11
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On February 11, celebrate Canadian agriculture and food
–
both online and with friends, family and co-workers
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and let everyone know how you feel about this awesome industry.
How you celebrate is up to you – create your own mouth-watering moments or get inspired with some delicious ideas. Just have fun, show your ag pride and make some noise for Canadian food on
Canada’s Agriculture Day
!
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Brock and Uxbridge welcome new CAOs
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Robert J. Lamb is the new Chief Administrative Officer for the Township of Brock, effective December 2, 2019. Mr. Lamb brings with him an extensive background from both the public and private sector, and is well-versed in many areas, including leadership, management, economic development, and human resources.
Kristi Honey became the new CAO of the Township of Uxbridge effective December 17, 2019. Ms. Honey, a resident of an adjacent municipality, is very familiar with the Township of Uxbridge and has participated in Uxbridge’s social, cultural, and recreational activities for over 30 years.
Welcome Robert and Kristi!
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Province of Ontario Newsroom
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The Province of Ontario has made several announcements related to agriculture, food, and rural affairs. Some recent announcements include:
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Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Workshop
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Producers are invited to attend a free two-day EFP workshop to: assess your farm business; learn more about on-farm environmental best management practices; develop action plans; and learn more about cost-sharing opportunities
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More info
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Farms.com Precision Ag Conference and Ag Technology Showcase
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The 2019 conference program comprised of expert speaker presentations, as well as hands-on workshops. The conference's workshops were designed for those just beginning with precision agriculture, as well as for those who have an understanding of the basics and want to take it to the next level.
More info
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Eastern Ontario Crop Conference
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T
his is the premiere field crop conference in eastern Ontario. The program is designed to provide growers and agribusiness personnel with the latest in-depth crop management information
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More info
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Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Grower's Association AGM
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The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association will hold their 161st Annual General Meeting (AGM, banquet dinner, industry social) on February 18, 2020.
More info
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Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario Conference
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The Innovative Farmers conference is an annual farmer-led event that attracts 350 of Ontario’s most progressive farm operators.
More info
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Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention
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The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention is an annual gathering of horticultural crop producers involved in the production of fruits and vegetables.
More info
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Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) Workshop
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Start the business planning process for your farm business by attending this free two-day GYFP interactive workshop, followed by a one-on-one review meeting. You will assess your business management practices; determine priorities and key goals; develop realistic action plans; and learn about cost-sharing opportunities
.
More info
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The 39th annual East Central Farm Show will take place in the Commonwell Exhibition Building at the Lindsay, Ontario Fairgrounds. It's the only show of its kind between London and Ottawa
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More info
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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. 2615 (toll-free at 1-800-706-9857).
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