Agriculture & Rural Economic Development Newsletter
May 2021 | Volume 10, Issue 3
In This Issue:
  • Made in Durham: Fig Kitchen & Market
  • Grown in Durham: Beef Farmers of Durham Donate to Foodbanks Across the Region
  • Envision Durham Proposed Policy Directions
  • Share the Road with Farm Vehicles
  • Durham Farm Connections Launches New Brand
  • Join Us In Celebrating Local Food Week
  • Always in Season: A Toolkit for Local Food Practitioners
  • Scugog Waterfront Action Plan
  • Durham Region Business Count
  • Shop Durham Region Online Marketplace
  • Uxbridge Downtown Revitalization
  • The 2021 Census of Agriculture is Here
  • Durham Farm Connections Barn Quilt Trail
  • Durham Workforce Authority Wants to Hear from Employers in Durham Region
  • AgriStability Enrollment Deadline Extended
  • Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program
  • Federal Funding Announced for Canada's Egg, Chicken and Turkey Farmers
  • COVID-19 Federal and Provincial Financial Support for Farmers  
  • Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant (Coming Soon!)
  • Ontario Announces the Agri-Tech Innovate Program
  • Upcoming Events
Made in Durham: Fig Kitchen & Market
Please join us in welcoming one of Uxbridge’s newest independent businesses, Fig Kitchen & Market! Located at 29 Toronto Street South in downtown Uxbridge, Fig Kitchen & Market doubles as a vegan grocery market and take-out kitchen. While the kitchen is strictly take-out for now, owners Trish and Sarah are excited to welcome guests into their licensed dine-in restaurant and patio when provincial restrictions allow. In the meantime, shoppers and diners are encouraged to place an online order and pick-up in-store. In-store shopping is also available at limited capacity for those wishing to shop the market.

To browse the full menu and market, visit their website.
Grown in Durham: Beef Farmers of Durham Donate to Foodbanks Across the Region
Photo credit -  Durham Beef Farmers Twitter
Beef Farmers of Durham Region have provided significant support to communities across the region during a very difficult time for many facing the ill effects of the pandemic. Over 800 lbs. of locally raised ground beef was donated to food banks to help provide a nutritious protein to those in need. 

Beef Farmers of Durham Region is a local organization representing 470 beef farmers across Durham and is a local affiliation of Beef Farmers of Ontario.

Envision Durham Proposed Policy Directions
Envision Durham is an opportunity for community members to provide their input on future growth policy within Durham Region. The Region of Durham’s Planning Division is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the Regional Official Plan. The Official Plan guides decisions on how to protect our land and resources, how and where our towns and cities will grow, housing and job opportunities needed, how people will move across the region, and beyond.
The Planning Division is looking for your feedback to inform policy directions for these systems. Feedback can be provided through an online survey until June 30.

Visit durham.ca/EnvisionDurham for more information.
Share the Road with Farm Vehicles
Farmers are entering one of the busiest times in their year with planting season upon us. As a result, you may see an increase in farm equipment and farm vehicle traffic on the roads. Please remember to slow down, stay safe and be patient when meeting farm equipment on the roads. 

Visit the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s website for tips on sharing the road with farm vehicles. 
Durham Farm Connections Launches New Brand
Durham Farm Connections recently underwent a rebranding exercise and has developed a new logo. The new logo aims to display the connection of urban, rural, farming and education. View the new logo on the Durham Farm Connections Facebook page and stay tuned as website updates are underway. 

Durham Farm Connections has many exciting projects, initiatives and virtual events coming soon. Follow them on their social media channels or visit DurhamFarmConnections.ca to stay up to date!

Join Us In Celebrating Local Food Week
Let’s celebrate all things local food! There is an abundance of fresh, delicious food being grown here in Durham Region. Enjoy the flavours of the region during Local Food Week. Local Food Week occurs on the first week of June every year; this year it runs from May 30 to June 5. 

Find local farms and craft beverages in Durham Region at InvestDurham.ca/LocalFood and the Durham Farm Fresh interactive farm map to find local food producers near you.
Always in Season: A Toolkit for Local Food Practitioners
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture has created a resource for local food operators, communities, and food and beverage processors to use as a guide to promote and support the local food economy. 

To view the available tools, templates and events to participate in, visit ofa.on.ca/AlwaysInSeason.
Scugog Waterfront Action Plan
The Township of Scugog is pleased to announce that the Port Perry Waterfront Action Plan has officially been endorsed by Scugog Council. After hearing from residents and stakeholders over the past 18 months, a forward-thinking action plan has been developed that ensures the protection of Port Perry’s natural and cultural heritage along the waterfront, while maximizing economic development, tourism and recreational opportunities. Many great projects are planned to begin in 2021.
 
For more information and to view the full plan, visit my.scugog.ca/waterfront.
Durham Region Business Count
After a one-year hiatus, the annual Durham Region Business Count has returned for 2021. Between May and September, the Region’s Business Count team will be contacting each business establishment in Durham to gather basic information about the type and nature of the business, the number of employees, the impact COVID-19 has had, and more.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, interview methods will transition from face-to-face to primarily over the phone and through email. The success of this important program depends upon the assistance and co-operation of the region’s business community. If you get a call or email from one of our surveyors, please make sure to count your business in!

Shop Durham Region Online Marketplace
The Shop Durham Region Online Marketplace is a multi-vendor e-store with over 800 products to browse through from a variety of Durham-based businesses. Whether you already have an online store or are new to the e-commerce world, the Shop Durham Region Online Marketplace is a great way to improve your business’ online exposure. Don’t want to upload all your products? No worries! Upload a few marquee items to increase exposure and take advantage of the platforms continual marketing campaigns. Take advantage of free photography and optimized listings for up to five products powered by Geekspeak!

Uxbridge Downtown Revitalization
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Uxbridge Downtown Revitalization project continues to push forward. After finalizing a refreshed vision statement for downtown Uxbridge, the project is now moving into the data collection and market analysis phase. In the coming months, the Township will be seeking feedback from Uxbridge residents, downtown shoppers, and downtown business and property owners. If you are a resident of Uxbridge, keep your eyes peeled for the official launch of the Uxbridge Resident Survey. This 10-minute survey will be available online and in print and will help shape the future of your downtown.

For more information and to access the survey, visit the Downtown Revitalization project page online.
The 2021 Census of Agriculture is Here
Farm operators in Durham Region and across Canada are encouraged to complete the 2021 Census of Agriculture.
 
The Census of Agriculture is a source of community-level data on agriculture. By drawing on these data, decision makers will act in the interest of farm operators, farm communities and agricultural sectors across Canada.

Farm operators will receive a letter in the mail with instructions on how to complete the questionnaire online. More information is available from Statistics Canada 
Durham Farm Connections Barn Quilt Trail
The Durham Farm Connections Heritage Committee is initiating a Barn Quilt Trail project in Durham Region. Durham Farm Connections is looking for participants to join in on the trail by creating an approximately 8’ x 8’ wooden quilt block to place on a barn or farm building that is visible from the road. The goal of the Barn Quilt Trail is to celebrate our agriculture community and rural area, by enhancing the countryside with art that has meaning to each farm and the farming community, while honouring our community’s rich agricultural history.

To learn more about the project or to participate in the trail, email info@DurhamFarmConnections.ca.
Durham Workforce Authority Wants to Hear from Employers in Durham Region
The Durham Workforce Authority and the Social Research Centre at Ontario Tech University have worked collaboratively to develop a survey that will gather data to help fill substantial gaps in labour market information, and lead to a better understanding of the skills and needs of local businesses. The survey touches on topics such as attraction and retention of employees, skillsets required, industry outlook, and the overall business climate in Durham.

If you are a business in Durham Region, we invite you to complete the Employer Survey
AgriStability Enrollment Deadline Extended
AgriStability, one of the federal business risk management programs, has extended their enrollment deadline to June 30, 2021. AgriStability offers support to farmers who have experienced income/margin reductions of more than 30 per cent.

Learn more about the AgriStability Program.
Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program
The provincial government has announced a commitment of $10 million in funding towards the Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program. Agri-businesses and farms who employ three or more employees are eligible for funding to support the purchase of personal protective equipment, improve cleaning and disinfection, and redesign workstations for worker safety. Application forms and additional program information opens on April 22, 2021. Applications will be accepted until November 30, 2021 or until all funding has been allocated.

Federal Funding Announced for Canada's Egg, Chicken and Turkey Farmers
Two new funding programs have been announced to help support egg, chicken and turkey farmers.

The first program, the Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program, aims to support farmers through on farm investment projects to help improve modernization of facilities through upgrades to increase the market competitiveness and adapt to consumer demands. $630 million over the next ten years has been allocated towards the program.

The second program announced is the Market Development Program for Turkey and Chicken. This following funding is available to Turkey Farmers of Canada ($36.5 million) and Chicken Farmers of Canada ($25 million) to promote Canadian-made products and the high standards to which they are produced over the next ten years.

COVID-19 Federal and Provincial Financial Support for Farmers
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has compiled a list of funding and support programs available for farm business on their website in response to COVID-19.
To view the list of funding support available, visit their website.
Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant (Coming Soon)
The Government of Ontario is introducing a new small business support grant targeted at helping Ontario’s tourism and hospitality industry. This program will provide one-time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible hotels, motels, travel agencies, amusement and water parks, recreational and vacation camps, among other tourism and hospitality businesses. Any small businesses that received funding from the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will not be eligible for this program. More application details will be available soon.

Ontario Announces the Agri-Tech Innovate Program
The Provincial Government recently announced the Agri-Tech Innovate Program, a cost-share program aimed to help farmers and food processors increase the adoption of technological innovations in the agri-food sectorThis intake will support implementation of sector-specific and innovative technologies in the workplace that enhance protection of workers against COVID-19, lead to increased business efficiencies and productivity, and help build the sector's resilience. The first intake will be available from May 17 to June 21, 2021. 

Learn more about the Agri-Tech Innovate Program.
Follow us on Twitter!
For more frequent updates on Durham Region success stories, resources, local news, fun facts and more, follow @DurhamAgRural on Twitter. #DurhamAg #NorthDurham
Upcoming Events
For a full listing of events and webinars, visit InvestDurham/calendar.
Facebook Live Tours with Durham Region Farmers
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 Durham Farm Connections Facebook page 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 vegetables and fruit, and a flower farm. As of March 18, more than 15 tours will be offered until the end of 2021.

Durham Farm Connections connects consumers, farmers and decision makers with opportunities to enhance knowledge, understanding and appreciation of agriculture and food in Durham Region. Durham Farm Connections provides collaborative, innovative approaches to agricultural education.

For more information visit DurhamFarmConnections.ca, email info@DurhamFarmConnections.ca.
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