Agriculture & Rural Economic Development Newsletter
March 2023 | Volume 12, Issue 1
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In This Issue:
Grown in Durham
- Durham farmer takes on food waste challenges with virtual farmers’ market
Made in Durham
- 108 River Street Custom Apparel
Regional Feature
- Growing North Durham and Growing Agri-Food Durham plans endorsed
Programs, Updates & News
- Durham Region welcomes North American manufacturing company Tessera Group to Scugog
- Comment on the Durham Regional Official Plan draft by April 3
- Co-working space now available at the Scugog Chamber of Commerce office
- Durham Health monitoring local area for potential avian influenza in wild birds
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Sustainable Agriculture Strategy Consultation
- North Durham Business Toolkits
- Introducing the Scugog Business Program
Funding Opportunities
- Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Fund Announced
- Student Work Placement Program with Food Processing Skills Canada
- Digital Transformation Grant Opportunities
Upcoming Events
- Durham Farm Connections Open House
- Food for Thought Workshop Series: From Passion to Profit
- Selling with Confidence: Strategies for Entrepreneurial Success
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Durham farmer takes on food waste challenges with virtual farmers’ market |
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Dave Kranenburg has achieved several significant milestones in the last several years including taking over Kendall Hills Farm; establishing a virtual farmers market, under the name Graze and Gather; pioneering a fresh food delivery model; and, now he’s helping to reduce food waste by structuring the virtual farmers market as a circular wholesale system. By doing this, imperfect and less desirable food options are sold and utilized by restaurants and food manufacturers in sauces, chutneys, soups, and other non-perishable items that can then be sold through Graze and Gather. Learn more about Dave’s incredible journey, and visit the Graze and Gather website to purchase products from local farms across Durham and beyond.
Dave and his team are looking for more farmers and food producers to join Graze & Gather this year. Please reach out to them directly to learn more.
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108 River Street Custom Apparel |
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Starting out as a home-based custom apparel business in late 2019, owner Jessica Lawrence decided in October of 2022 that it was time to take the leap and move into a commercial space in downtown Sunderland. It was then that 108 River Street Custom Apparel was born.
Whether for business, athletics, special events or leisure, 108 River Street specializes in providing quality custom apparel printed in-house with a commercial-grade Direct to Garment printer. From personalized photo templates, holiday designs, and even their own small-town collection, the possibilities to customize your products are endless.
Shop online, in-store or by appointment. Shipping is available across Canada and the United States.
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Growing North Durham and Growing Agri-Food Durham Plans endorsed |
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The Region of Durham’s Invest Durham Agriculture and Rural Economic Development team is moving forward with two five-year plans to deliver new economic development projects, programs and approaches to help grow the rural economy and create high-value jobs in north Durham. The Growing Agri-Food Durham Plan sets out the Region’s activities to grow and support Durham’s agri-food businesses over the next five years, while the Growing North Durham Plan uses three key pillars to outline projects and programs that will help foster a vibrant and resilient rural economy.
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Durham Region welcomes North American manufacturing company Tessera Group to Scugog |
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The Region's Invest Durham team, in collaboration with the Township of Scugog, is excited to announce that the North American advanced manufacturing company, Tessera Group Inc. (Tessera Group), will be building its new corporate home in north Durham.
Tessera Group has purchased the property at 181 North Port Road in the Township of Scugog with plans to build the company’s new corporate headquarters building—combining its various locations across the Greater Toronto Area under one brand new roof in north Durham. This new investment will include 95 jobs.
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Comment on the Durham Regional Official Plan draft by April 3 |
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The Region of Durham has released the new Regional Official Plan (ROP) draft, which is a culmination of work completed through Envision Durham, the Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) of Durham’s existing ROP.
The deadline for input on the draft ROP and mapping is April 3. Comments may be inputted directly in the map viewer, by submitting written correspondence via email to EnvisionDurham@durham.ca, or by sending to the attention of:
Envision Durham, c/o The Regional Municipality of Durham, Planning and Economic Development Department, 605 Rossland Road East, PO Box 623, Whitby, Ontario, L1N 6A3.
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Co-working space now available at the Scugog Chamber of Commerce office |
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Did you know about the new co-working space in north Durham? The Scugog Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to offer bookable space for professionals in need of a place to work or meet. Coined “The Annex”, this shared space is located in the Scugog Chamber office at 250 Queen Street in Port Perry.
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Durham Health monitoring local area for potential avian influenza in wild birds |
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Durham Health is currently monitoring recent reports of dead birds that have been found in Durham Region. Residents should take precautions to help reduce the potential spread of avian influenza by staying away from wild birds, and reporting sick or dead birds that are on municipal property to your local municipality and on the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative online reporting tool.
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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Sustainable Agriculture Strategy Consultation |
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North Durham Business Toolkits |
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North Durham Business Toolkits are now live! Business toolkits have been developed to fulfil a need for a one-stop-shop for relevant, Township-specific, and up-to-date business resources that are more easily accessible to prospective investors, entrepreneurs and current business owners. Individualized and hyper-local toolkits have been developed for the Townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge.
Check them out for yourself by following the links above!
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Introducing the Scugog Business Program |
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The Scugog Business Program (SBP) is a Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) project that has been tailored to best support Scugog’s business community. The program will consist of trained staff and volunteers confidentially surveying Scugog’s local businesses. While staff will attempt to address immediate concerns along the way, survey data will be used to inform a final action plan meant to address issues and opportunities facing the local business community.
Businesses located in the Township of Scugog are encouraged to sign up to be surveyed. Volunteer interviewers are also needed to support staff for in-person survey sessions. To express interest in either opportunity, please complete the Scugog Business Program sign-up form or email SBP@Scugog.ca with any questions.
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Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Fund Announced |
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The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Fund (Sustainable CAP) is a five-year (April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2028) partnership between the federal, provincial and territorial governments, that will focus on five key priorities for the agri-food and agri-based sector:
1. Building sector capacity, growth and competitiveness
2. Climate change and environment
3. Science, research and innovation
4. Market development and trade
5. Resiliency and public trust
Sustainable CAP includes $500 million in new funds, and provides a suite of programs that are federally funded, as well as cost-share programs.
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Student Work Placement Program with Food Processing Skills Canada |
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Food Processing Skills Canada is offering a program for food and beverage manufacturers to hire post-secondary students. Through the Student Work Placement Program and with the use of workplace integrated learning, employers can connect with students from food science, business, engineering and quality assurance programs, and help them develop a career path in Canada’s food processing industry. Employers can also access up to $7,000 in wage subsidies.
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Digital Transformation Grant Opportunities |
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Digital Main Street’s Digital Transformation Grant program is back and accepting applications. Small businesses with a brick-and-mortar location may be able to receive a non-repayable grant of $2,500 to help improve their digital capacity. The program also includes training and advisory support. While recent grant recipients are ineligible, small businesses who received a Digital Transformation Grant from Digital Main Street before June 30, 2021 may reapply.
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Durham Farm Connections Open House |
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The Durham Farm Connections (DFC) open house is an excellent opportunity to learn more about farming, meet local farmers, and have a fun and educational experience with family and friends. Admission to the event is free, and food bank donations are encouraged.
When: April 5 from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Luther Vipond Memorial Arena, 67 Winchester Road East, Brooklin, ON
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Food for Thought Workshop Series: From Passion to Profit |
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Attend the Food for Thought Workshop Series to learn about distributor relationships, how it affects food sales and growth, what grocery buyers are looking for in products, and more. This workshop series will cover different topics in each of the six sessions, hosted by the Business Advisory Centre Durham and facilitated by Nicole Haney (business coach, professor and speaker).
When: Six-part series starting June 28 from noon to 1 p.m.
Where: Virtual
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Selling with Confidence: Strategies for Entrepreneurial Success |
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Join Futurpreneur’s Bob Minhas for an exciting session that will review the important mindset and process pillars that will lead to successful sales both in the moment and in the future. This free event is being hosted in partnership with Futurpreneur and the Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD).
When: April 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Scugog Public Library, 231 Water St., Port Perry
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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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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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