Enabling Agriculture-Related and On-Farm Diversified Uses in North Durham | |
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Durham Region is undertaking a study to update policies for agriculture-related and on-farm diversified activities, and the application and approval processes for these activities, within the Townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge. Our overall objective is to support a thriving agricultural system and rural economic opportunity, while balancing farmland protection.
The land use categories of focus for this study are:
- Agriculture-related uses, broadly defined as farm-related commercial or industrial land uses, such as crop storage and distribution, farmers market, or farm equipment sales and service, for example.
- On-farm diversified uses, which may include land uses such as a cheese factory, sawmill, small-scale retail, or agri-tourism, for example.
How to Provide Feedback
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Attend the Durham Region Federation of Agriculture and Public Open House meeting on June 18 at Sandford Community Centre in Uxbridge, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., to provide your feedback. No registration is required for the open house but if you wish to attend by Zoom, please register: https://bit.ly/3z72kPO
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Complete the online survey on the Enabling Agriculture-Related and On-Farm Diversified Uses project engagement page by July 5 or contact us directly at InvestDurham@durham.ca.
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Precision Agriculture Field Day | |
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On May 28, Invest Durham and Durham Farm Connections hosted the second annual Precision Agriculture Field Day Event. The event welcomed 100 high school students from Grades 10 to 12 to learn about agriculture technology, careers, and the positive impacts precision agriculture has on economic, environmental and social sustainability. The event included agri-tech demonstration stations showcasing soybean planting, automated soil sampling, in-field product application, GPS simulator, drones, and apple orchard planting, spraying and management technology.
We would like to thank all of the students for coming, the host farm, and all of the companies who participated. This event wouldn't have been possible without the 16 volunteers, and the event sponsorship from Durham Workforce Authority. If you are interested in learning more about the diverse opportunities in agriculture, check out our Agriculture Workforce webpage.
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The Durham Farm Connections Barn Quilt Trail | |
Visiting a barn quilt trail offers a colourful blend of art, culture, and rural charm. Durham Region’s Barn Quilt Trail will show visitors large vibrant art displayed on the sides of barns featuring patterns that reflect the heritage and history of the community. By following the trail you’ll enjoy a scenic drive through Durham’s countryside.
If you are interested in being a part of the trail, or making a barn quilt, reach out to Durham Farm Connections at info@DurhamFarmConnections.ca.
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The Region of Durham is conducting its annual Business Count to gather statistics from local businesses. From now until August, the Region’s Business Count team is scheduled to visit businesses in Durham Region, to gather basic information about the type and nature of the company, the number of employees, plans for growth, floor space and location. Due to the risk of spreading avian flu between poultry operations in Ontario, surveyors will not be visiting farms in-person. Farm owners will be contacted via phone and email to complete the survey.
Data collected through the Business Count will be used for municipal planning and analysis purposes, to update regional/municipal business directories, and to plan for better business supports. In addition to in-person visits, businesses—including home-based businesses and non-profit organizations—have the option to complete the 2024 Business Count online.
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Promoting Agriculture and Food Careers | |
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The Promoting Agriculture and Food Careers Initiative provides funding to agricultural societies to promote careers in the agriculture and food industry.
Who is eligible: Agricultural societies that have submitted their previous years’ annual report to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), as required in the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act.
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FedDev Ontario is investing in people, potential, and possibilities—helping businesses grow, reach your potential and unlock new possibilities.
FedDev is currently looking for projects that focus on one or more of their spring 2024 intake priorities: clean economic growth, growth companies, technology, or industrial transition. Applications can be submitted for no-interest, repayable contributions from $125,000 up to $10 million per project for incorporated businesses that:
- Develop, commercialize or produce innovative products, processes and services.
- Improve productivity, capacity and competitiveness.
- Scale-up and expand to develop new business opportunities, enter new markets, or reach new customers.
Spring intake applications are due by June 24.
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Save the Date: The Durham Farm Connections Celebrate Agriculture Gala is happening on October 25 at the Royal Ashburn Golf Club. The Durham Farm Connections Awards committee is currently accepting nominations for the Family Farm, Spirit of Agriculture and Leadership Awards. Visit their website to learn more and access the nomination form.
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Mark your calendars for this upcoming two-day Environmental Farm Plan Workshop.
The workshop will be held in Courtice at the Durham York Energy Centre on September 4 and 11. This workshop gives farmers the opportunity to assess environmental considerations on their farm and learn about cost-share funding opportunities available to farms with an up-to-date Environmental Farm Plan. Learn more and register by visiting the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association website.
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Join Applewood Farm and Winery for its Strawberry Social on June 22! Kick off the start of strawberry season with a glass of strawberry cider, its award-winning strawberry rhubarb wine, its newest strawberry liqueur, a selection of strawberry-themed sweets, and strawberry picking for the whole family to enjoy. Learn more about upcoming events at Applewood.
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We are pleased to share an opportunity to exhibit in the Ontario Pavilion at the Grocery Innovations Canada (GIC) tradeshow from October 29 to 30, 2024, at the Toronto Congress Centre. This is an opportunity to increase your visibility with key buyers. Within the Ontario Pavilion there is a turn-key booth package for the discounted rate of $2,150. Learn more about the event.
To register your booth, please contact Rolster Taylor at rtaylor@cfig.ca
or by phone at (416) 492-4878.
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HOPA Ports Announces Partnership to establish Lake Ontario Short Sea Shipping Corridor with United States
The Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA Ports) announced an agreement with an affiliate of Beowulf Electricity & Data Inc (Beowulf), the U.S. owner of an expansive 1,800-acre site on the southern shore of Lake Ontario to create a bi-national, low-emission, short sea trade corridor.
The new partnership will forge connections between the Port of Oshawa, Ontario and a new port in Somerset, New York by establishing a multimodal shipping terminal at the former location of New York’s last coal plant, which retired in 2020.
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Contact Us
Toll-free: 1-800-706-9857
InvestDurham.ca
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