Agriculture & Rural Economic Development Newsletter
March 2021 | Volume 10, Issue 2
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In This Issue:
- Made in Durham: Marcelle's Gluten-Free Kitchen
- Grown in Durham: Sargent Family Dairy
- Shop Durham Region Online Marketplace Goes Live
- Farm 911 Project
- Durham Farm Receives Prestigious Award
- Canadian Agriculture Safety Week
- All About Specialty Crops Workshop Series
- Guide to Starting a Home-Based Food Business
- Regional Council Continues to Push Forward with Broadband Strategy
- Durham Region's Information Website for Temporary Foreign Worker Employers
- Ontario's Commodity Loan Guarantee Program Sees Improvements
- Meat and Poultry Ontario Study to Increase Processing Capacity and Efficiency
- Ontario Launches Consultation for Greenbelt Expansion
- Provide Your Comments as the Region Updates the Official Plan
- Central Counties 2021 Business Support Program
- Ontario Small Business Support Grant
- Ontario's Main Street Relief Grant: PPE Support
- Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebates
- Greenbelt Funding Program
- Upcoming Events
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Made in Durham: Marcelle's Gluten-Free Kitchen |
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John Redman and his wife, Marcelle, always dreamt of using their Scugog farmland to feed others, but they wanted to do it their own way. In 2002, this dream became a reality when Marcelle’s Gluten-Free Kitchen opened on land that has been in John’s family since 1854.
The bakery has grown into a must-try spot for anybody with a love for baked goods. Specializing in gluten-free, vegan, keto and diabetic friendly products, Marcelle’s Gluten-Free Kitchen has something for everyone. While pandemic induced restrictions have taken an inevitable toll on the bakery, they were prepared as they have been selling online for more than six years.
Looking to mix it up in the kitchen this spring? Marcelle’s Gluten-Free Kitchen in Port Perry offers more than 50 DIY baked good, dessert and flour mixes through their online store. Free shipping is available from coast-to-coast on all orders over $50 and curbside pick-up is available for local customers. Want to leave the mixing to the professionals? Marcelle’s also ships freshly made bread and muffins to southern Ontario customers.
To learn more, check out their website.
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Grown in Durham: Sargent Family Dairy |
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"Article submitted by the Sargent Family"
“Sargent Family Dairy, located in Enniskillen is founded on four generations of tradition; working with our cows, the land and mother nature to create great milk. We are excited to be opening our brand new on farm dairy processing facility in March. Soon our family will offer farm fresh bottled milk, pasture butter and an assortment of cheese and curds from our Single Farm Reserve. All made with quality and taste in mind.
We want to revive the food lover's passion for traditional dairy flavours and quality. Pulling from tradition, we will be offering a variety of milks including 2%, 3.25% and chocolate in returnable glass bottles. Customers will return their bottle for a deposit, which will help us reduce our regions usage of plastic. Local food production is a staple of the Durham economy and we cannot wait to join the community and support it in any way we can. Please email bruce@SargentFamilyDairy.ca for more information and retail opportunities.”
-The Sargent Family
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Shop Durham Region Online Marketplace Goes Live |
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The Region of Durham recently announced that the Shop Durham Region online marketplace is live. The multi-vendor e-store allows shoppers to purchase products from multiple Durham-based businesses in a single transaction from the safety of their own home.
Shopping local has never been more important. Every purchase from a small business makes a big impact on local families and local communities. Through this new online marketplace, residents can safely explore more than 600 local products in a single shopping experience and collect purchases through contactless pick-up—making it easy to support local and stay safe. More than 200 local businesses have joined Shop Durham Region thus far and continue to add products for sale on the site.
To start shopping or to join the marketplace as a vendor, visit ShopDurhamRegion.ca. Enhanced marketplace features will be rolled out in the coming weeks and months, including the ability to shop by vendor.
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The Farm 911 project, also known as the Emily Project, is launching across Durham Region. This program is providing secondary farm entrances, field entrances and vacant rural properties with 911 number signs. The goal of this project is to make it easier for emergency services to locate the site of an accident. Call your local municipal office for more information on how to get signs or visit farm911.ca
for more information.
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Durham Farm Receives Prestigious Award |
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Congratulations to the Barkey/Puterbough Family (Altona Lea Farms) who recently received their fourth Master Breeder Shield from Holstein Canada. This is truly an amazing accomplishment as they are recognized for having among the best ratios in the country for breeding cows, including production, confirmation, longevity, reproduction and health. They are one of only three farms in the country to be four-time recipients of the award. We are proud to say that of these three farms, two are located in the Region of Durham–Altona Lea and High Point Farm.
Congratulations Altona Lea Farms!
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Canadian Agriculture Safety Week |
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Farming can be high-risk and dangerous–help to raise awareness for the importance of farm safety during Canadian Agriculture Safety week taking place from March 14 to 20. Let’s do our part and help our farmers and families have a smooth and safe 2021. Visit the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association for resources, programs, training and more.
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All About Specialty Crops Workshop Series |
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Throughout the month of January and early February, an All About Specialty Crops Workshop Series was offered virtually in partnership with Durham Farm Fresh, York Region, York Farm Fresh and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs. Thank you to all partners and participants. If you missed out and are interested in learning more about specialty crop production, hops, cannabis, hemp, specialty fruit and nuts, specialty herbs and or specialty vegetables, recordings are available online:
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Guide to Starting a Home-Based Food Business |
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The Ontario Ministry of Health has assembled a guide for those interested in starting a small home-based food business. This guide outlines the low-risk food items that can be made and sold from home, and the requirements of public health. Learn more.
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Regional Council Continues to Push Forward with Broadband Strategy |
Durham Regional Council has approved the Regional Broadband Network report, outlining two applications for funding from the Province of Ontario and Federal Government of Canada. The Region’s goal is to implement a high-speed fibre network that will span 700 kilometres and connect all of Durham’s hamlets.
The Region—in partnership with Oshawa Power Utilities Corporation (OPUC)—has developed a transformative project that will serve our rural and underserved communities; leveraging the existing fibre infrastructure of the Region and OPUC to extend broadband access across Durham.
The phased implementation of the network will be dependent on funding—expected to be announced in April 2021. If funding is allocated, residents can expect this phase of the project to begin this summer and be completed by 2024.
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Durham Region's Information Website for Temporary Foreign Worker Employers |
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Durham Health has created a new webpage outlining information for temporary foreign worker and seasonal agriculture worker employers. Information on inspections, housing requirements, Spanish resources and more can be found here.
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Ontario's Commodity Loan Guarantee Program Sees Improvements |
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The Ontario Government is extending the repayment deadlines and increasing the lending capacity of the Commodity Local Guarantee Program (CLGP). The loan repayment deadline extension is from February 28 to September 30. The extension aims to reduce the paperwork burden and resulting costs to farmers who would need to access other financing to transfer loans, and to better align with the growing season. The program guaranteed loan limit is increasing from $120 to $200 million.
CLGP gives farmers access to short-term operating loans to support the purchase of crop input supplies. Qualifying farmers can borrow up to $750,000 under the program.
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Meat and Poultry Ontario Study to Increase Processing Capacity and Efficiency |
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Meat and Poultry Ontario is conducting a study to reveal opportunities to increase meat processing capabilities. It is very clear that there is a huge demand for meat processing in the province that cannot currently be fulfilled. This study is looking into options which integrates skills development and technology to increase processing capacity. The provincial and federal governments have committed funding to support this project. Recently the Province of Ontario committed $127,000 to support the research for the study.
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Ontario Launches Consultation for Greenbelt Expansion |
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Ontario has opened a 60-day consultation period to receive comments on potentially expanding the Greenbelt. The government is looking for feedback on how to best increase the greenbelt size and quality. Areas under review include the Duffins Creeks and surrounding land in Ajax and Pickering.
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Provide Your Comments as the Region Updates the Official Plan |
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The Durham Region Planning Department is currently reviewing and updating the Regional Official Plan, Envision Durham. Many key areas are being reviewed, including how to protect our land and resources, how and where our towns and cities grow, what housing and job opportunities are needed, and how people are moving across the region and beyond.
One of the six policy discussion papers being reviewed in the Official Plan is the Rural System. The planning department is looking for your feedback to inform the policy direction for this system. Feedback can be provided through an online survey until June 30.
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Central Counties 2021 Business Support Program |
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Central Counties Tourism (CCT) is here to help tourism businesses in Durham Region through the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Central Counties Tourism Business Support Program, eligible businesses can apply to receive a 50 per cent reimbursement (to a maximum of $15,000) for reasonable and necessary expenses that have allowed them to remain engaged with their customers. These include, but are not limited to:
- Implementation of health and safety protocols;
- Alterations to accommodate for social distancing (including expansion of patios);
- Purchase of PPE and cleaning supplies;
- Marketing and communications costs; and,
- Acquisition and implementation of digital tools.
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Ontario's Small Business Support Grant |
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Small businesses required to close or significantly restrict services under the Provincewide Shutdown effective December 26, 2020 are highly encouraged to apply for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant. Small businesses who meet eligibility requirements will be entitled to a $10,000 to $20,000 grant to help cover decreased revenue. Eligibility requirements include:
- Forced to close or restrict services subject to the Provincewide Shutdown effective December 26, 2020;
- Have fewer than 100 employees at the enterprise level; and,
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Have experienced a minimum of 20% revenue decline comparing April 2020 to April 2019 (Note: New businesses established after April 2019 are also eligible provided they meet other eligibility requirements)
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Ontario's Main Street Relief Grant: PPE Support |
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Small businesses with two to 19 employees and within one of the sectors identified below are eligible to receive a one-time grant of $1,000 from the provincial government to help cover the unexpected costs of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Eligible sectors include:
- Retail
- Accommodation and Food Services
- Repair and Maintenance
- Personal and Laundry Services
- Gyms and Yoga Studios
- Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
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Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebates |
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Small businesses that were required to close or significantly restrict services as a result of being under Control, Lockdown, Provincewide Shutdown or modified stage two restrictions may be eligible for property tax and energy cost rebates from the provincial government. Eligible businesses could get rebates for municipal and education property taxes, as well as energy costs in the form of grants. Funding will cover the entire length of time that public health restrictions were in place for the applying business.
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Greenbelt Funding Program |
The Greenbelt Foundation is currently accepting applications for their Prosperous Greenbelt and Resilient Greenbelt streams. Projects of interest would address the impacts of the pandemic, urban development pressures, climate change, natural systems and/or support local agriculture. For more details on eligibility and the application process, visit their website. |
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For more frequent updates on Durham Region success stories, resources, local news, fun facts and more, follow @DurhamAgRural on Twitter. #DurhamAg #NorthDurham
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North and Eastern Ontario Local Food Virtual Conference |
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Learn about the growing opportunities for local food systems at the North and Eastern Ontario Local Food Virtual Conference! This conference features four weekly virtual sessions discussing what we have learned from the global pandemic with regard to local food, agritourism challenges, solutions and opportunities, the resilience of local food throughout the value chain, and innovative local food systems. Register for this free conference.
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Agriculture Employer Summit |
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The Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) and Clarington Board of Trade are looking for Agricultural Employers from across the region to participate in their Agriculture Employer Summit on March 11 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Zoom. This summit will help inform DWA of the community's concerns related to the agriculture workforce including recruitment, retention, training, technology and more. This information will be used to support upcoming DWA agriculture labour projects.
To participate or if you wish to receive more information, please contact Bonnie Wrightman.
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Facebook Live Tours with Durham Region Farmers |
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Durham Region farmers will offer behind-the-scenes virtual farm tours throughout 2021. Each tour will be hosted by a farmer and will share a beyond-the-farm-gate view of many different types of farms. The Facebook Live tours will be broadcast live from the organizations Facebook page @DurhamFarmConnections and will be available for on-demand viewing after the broadcast for a period of one week.
Tours have been confirmed on many different types of farms including beef cattle, maple syrup, egg, greenhouse, field crop, dairy, apple orchard, sheep, peas and strawberries, hay, herb (specialty tea), wheat, apple cider, field vegetable and fruit, and a flower farm. More than 15 tours will be offered starting on March 18 at 3:30 p.m. and will continue until the end of 2021.
“Previously, Durham Farm Connections hosted a school program and open house each year welcoming 1,200 students and 1,000 visitors to Whitby’s Vipond Memorial Arena each April,” says Sandra Jibb, a volunteer with the organization. “This virtual approach allows us to offer a new platform for engagement between farmers and those interested in speaking with a farmer.”
Durham Farm Connections is a sub-committee of the Durham Region Federation of Agriculture, an organization representing over 1100 farmers. Durham Farm Connections connects consumers, farmers and decision makers with opportunities to enhance knowledge, understanding, and to appreciate agriculture and food in Durham Region. Durham Farm Connections provides collaborative, innovative approaches to agricultural education.
Contact Tracing Webinar with CANATRACE
Join Durham Farm Fresh on Thursday March 18 at 7:30 p.m. for a free webinar with CANATRACE!
CANATRACE (by GroundLevel Insights) is a Durham based company who provides a 100% free contact tracing platform for health screening. This platform can be used for employee and guest health screening with no app required. Users simply need to scan a QR code using the camera on their phone and are directed to a screening questionnaire.
Other features include:
- Trilingual options (French and Spanish)
- Custom logo and branding can be added to the questionnaire
- Health screening is automatically updated based on provincial guidelines and regional colour zone/restrictions
- Data can be exported to a spreadsheet
- Data is secure
During the webinar you will learn more about this free platform and its applications, see first hand how the platform works and have the opportunity to ask questions directly to CANATRACE.
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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. 2609 (toll-free at 1-800-706-9857).
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