NEWS from the Fall 2016
FRONTENAC CFDC building business ~ growing communities
About the Frontenac CFDC The Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) is a not-for-profit corporation run by a volunteer board of directors and funded by the Federal Development Agency of Southern Ontario (FedDev). Our mission is to stimulate community and economic development throughout the Frontenacs – aptly expressed by the tag line “building business … growing communities”. Whether you are considering starting a small business in the Frontenacs, seeking advice or financing for your existing business, or require assistance for your community project, we can help. The Frontenac CFDC offers: • Business information and counselling at no cost • Commercial loans • Interest-free loans* • Community Economic Development • Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) * for eligible commercial projects and subject to available funding The Frontenac CFDC board has identified “pivotal” areas of focus. Food and Beverage – To attract, grow and retain small scale (artisanal) food and beverage businesses. Innovative Rural Opportunities - Foster and support businesses related to the creative economy, rural entrepreneurship and niche agribusiness. Promoting Businesses - Continue efforts in promoting local business (including farm businesses), supporting businesses in self-promotion and to facilitate linkages and networking opportunities. Tourism - Encouraging and supporting efforts to expand and enhance tourism businesses, events and activities. Support year-round tourism and the modernization/upgrading of accommodations. Awareness of CFDC Services and Programs - Continue to promote awareness, understanding and support for CFDC services and programs provided to individuals, businesses and community groups. This includes keeping CFDC services “top of mind” for existing and past clients and “reaching out” to individuals who have not previously dealt with the CF. Other Frontenac CFDC programs and services include: Visit our website frontenaccfdc.com and make use of the online resources, business information and guides. Promote your business for FREE in our online directory or submit your business news for inclusion in our quarterly newsletter and /or social media to anne@frontenaccfdc.com. In the newsletter and on Facebook, we include news such as new business, new services or products being offered, business anniversaries, etc. Include a photo sized appropriate for Facebook. We also accept short videos for our You Tube site and these may include a general info piece about your business or a video on how you make your product. Receive our quarterly newsletter electronically by subscribing on our website to learn about local businesses, funding opportunities, upcoming events and more. Subscribe to our Blog by going to our website Futurpreneur Canada supports young entrepreneurs with up to $45,000 in financing and an expert business-mentor for up to two years. Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation 5062 Rd 38, Harrowsmith, Ontario 613-372-1414, TF 1-888-372-9962 www.frontenaccfdc.com
“Like” us on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for business tips, information and events and to learn about other businesses in the area. Or check out the local businesses on our You Tube. This project is funded by the Government of Canada. Ce projet est financé par le Gouvernement du Canada.
FRONTENAC
Community Futures Development Corporation Building business – growing communities
Looking to increase your sales? Wondering what software to use for bookkeeping? What hardware solution best suits your business? Personally, it is beyond me to figure out what specifications we need for our office hard drives or how best to secure and back up our system. I also found it challenging to write a request for proposal for the development of our new website that would ensure the final product would meet with our needs and our budget. As a small business owner, you too may experience the same types of issues and I am pleased to say we may now be able to assist you in addressing these types of challenges and opportunities. We, together with our partner, the County of Lennox and Addington, are launching an 18 month pilot program to assist you in adopting technology into your business. We have hired a consulting firm that will help you to accelerate your growth and /or find efficiencies through digital and technological practices. They too are small business owners who understand the complexities of running a small business, maximizing every dollar that is spent and ensuring efficiency in operations.
How will we help?
Individual Consultations - There will be an opportunity for your Frontenac or L&A based business for in-person meeting to answer any specific questions you may have. The meetings will also be an opportunity for the consultants to learn more about your business and the challenges you are facing so that they can assist you. If you are a Frontenac business and would like to access this consulting, email anne@frontenaccfdc.com or call 613-372-1414 ext 204. Online learning - There will also be an opportunity for on-line learning with a variety of resources being made available. Follow us on Facebook to learn more about these resources as they become available. One resource that you may wish to use to “navigate the confusing and overwhelming online universe by acting as a guide to all things digital” is a free resource called digitalmainstreet.ca. Group Learning - We will host a variety of group learning opportunities to provide an overview of technology applications and business practices. This will include such sessions as live demos on various software applications, online marketing, introduction to Wordpress, tracking your sales and Google Analytics. If you have specific sessions that you would like to see offered, please forward your suggestions to anne@frontenaccfdc.com.
Workshop Dates
One of the first workshops that we will be offering is Shopify: Get Started Today to help you maximize your Christmas sales. This 2 ½ hour workshop has participants set up a Shopify store, choose a template, create products and collections, setup shipping requirements, and setup a payment gateway. Participants will be asked to bring specific content with them to the session and will be able to go live with their store at the end of the session. Follow up individual consultations are available to the attendees at no cost. Please note that participants must bring their own laptop (not tablet) to all sessions except where noted. These sessions are available to businesses located in the Counties of Frontenac and Lennox and Addington and the cost per participant is $10 paid in advance. Friday, Sept 30th 9:30 – 12:00 Frontenac CFDC office, 5062 Rd 38, Harrowsmith. . To register visit http://bit. ly/2cFt4eC Wednesday, Oct 5th 6pm – 8:30 pm Lennox and Addington County Museum, 97 Thomas St, Napanee. To register visit http://bit.ly/2cVT0UW Thursday, Oct 6th 6pm-8:30 pm, Amherstview Public Library, Amherstview. To register, visit http://bit.ly/2ctVPK1 Tuesday, Oct 25th 6:00 -8:30 pm Addington Highlands Municipal Office, Flinon. To register visit http://bit. ly/2cCWycq Thursday, Oct 27th 6 pm to 8:30 pm, St. Lawrence College Employment Services, 1099 Garrett St, Sharbot Lake. Computers will be provided at this location and those wishing to bring their own laptop (not tablet) may do so. To register visit http://bit.ly/2cnxhFK We will be pairing that workshop with a 3 hour session, On-Line Marketing 101, that introduces core online marketing principals as well as the technologies and best practices to implement them. Topics covered include social media, search engine optimization, google analytics, web master tools, Adwords and other paid advertising platforms, email marketing, and general remarketing. Participants will leave this session with a basic understanding of the tools and methods needed to better market their businesses, as well as how to set measurable marketing goals. Please note that participants must bring their own laptop to this session. Friday, November 4th 930 am – 12:30 pm, Frontenac CFDC office, 5062 Rd 38 Harrowsmith To register visit http://bit.ly/2c9hjsH ■
Do you have a good idea to grow your business or for a project that will provide economic impact to the community?
FRONTENAC
Community Futures Development Corporation Building business – growing communities
Your project may be eligible for an Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) grant. To obtain guidelines & applications or more info check out our website at www.frontenaccfdc.com/services.cfm or call (888)372-9962. This project is funded by the Government of Canada. Ce projet est financé par le Gouvernement du Canada.
For more on our services visit www.frontenaccfdc.com
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Congratulations! “We are so excited to finally become part of the South Frontenac Business Community with our new location at 4153 Road 38 Harrowsmith”, says Derek Dowling, President of Wemp & Smith Construction Ltd and Don Wemp, Vice-President. “Wemp & Smith Construction Ltd has been in business for 30 years and we believe we have found the perfect location to continue conducting our business. We have dreamed of owning our own building within the South Frontenac community since we took over the family business completely in 2008. Our business has continued to maintain and grow both in the commercial and residential construction industries. We currently serve a large region throughout the County of Frontenac and beyond. We look forward to this new chapter and would like to thank the community for its warm welcome into the area.” Please visit us at www.wempandsmith.com, like us on Facebook or call 613-372-1234. Congratulations to Suzanne Veh on her new business, All Seasons. A year and a half ago, Suzanne and her husband retired and moved to St. George’s Lake from the Ottawa area. This past winter she completed training to become a wedding officiant with a company called All Seasons. Anyone wishing to “tie the knot” can get in touch with All Seasons via the website www.allseasonsweddings.com and request the wedding officiant of their choice. The company is Canada wide and their website lists all officiants in each city or town by province. As a wedding officiant, Suzanne looks forward to working with couples to make their celebration special, unique, personal and memorable, whether it is a traditional wedding with fine linens and china, or a picnic beside the lake at sunset! Congratulations to Core Lee and Jeff Day on their new business, Holiday Country Manor in Battersea. Holiday Country Manor will remain a bed and breakfast destination offering unique package deals to suit a variety of interests. Currently, they offer holiday and event packages for any occasion. Meeting rooms are available for small business meetings and retreats and they will continue to accommodate private social events and dinners. During the winter months, the Manor will be available as a go-to destination for ice-fishing groups, Ski-Doo enthusiasts, and any other group that would like to host an event here. Upcoming fall events include both a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner celebration and a Food Fantasy Fair on the Manor front garden at this year's Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, Oct 1st. They also offer a Sunday brunch buffet from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and during the week they offer breakfast Thursday thru Saturday from 7 - 11 a.m. For more information, call 613- 3532211, visit www.holidaycountrymanor.com or follow them on Facebook at #HolidayCountryManor The Cardinal Café is also under new ownership. “Nestled in a little church in the village of Sharbot Lake”, co-owner Rob Moore says “the Cardinal Café is a community coffee shop that provides a welcoming place for people to meet, savor fresh food and baked goods while enjoying an amazing coffee experience. Everything about the Cardinal, from the cathedral ceilings and exposed rafters, to the original pine floors is there to enhance the transformative experience you have the first time you walk through the doors. The extremely high emphasis put on customer service is evident whenever you have an interaction with the owners or one of their staff, & with small details, like learning your name, your drink-of-choice, or ensuring special dietary needs are met, this Café revolves around its desire to satisfy!” The Cafe is run by Rob and Nancy Moore and is located at 14153 Rd 38 in the heart of Sharbot lake. Their operating hours are from 6:00am thru 4:30pm weekdays, and include seasonal weekend hours. To find out more information, the cafe can be contacted at (613)279-3734. Canadian Environmental Drilling & Contractors Inc. is a family run drilling company based in Inverary, ON that specializes in Environmental and Geotechnical drilling services for groundwater related investigations. Congratulations to Jonathan Fillion on his 11th year in business. Jonathan is a Civil Engineer Technology graduate from St. Lawrence College. Along with Jonathan, his sister Lisa works as the Administrator Continued page 3 see Congratulations...
Eodp Approved Projects Berg Elevating
AirTech Solutions uses UAV’s (Unmanned
This business sells and services all aspects of lifts, elevators and provides vehicle conversions and accessories. Project Summary: Equipment purchases for business efficiencies and skills training will allow this business to continue to expand. Trade show attendances will provide further marketing opportunities for this company. Amount Approved: $13,975 Website: www.bergelevating.com
Aerial Vehicles) to provide data collection information in the agricultural, industrial and
B.D. Custom Machining B.D. Custom Machining B.D. Custom Manufacturing, founded in the spring of 2014, designs and manufactures specialized items. New product development requests from other companies have led to increased markets. Project Summary: Upgraded infrastructure will allow the business to house its entire operation at its Harrowsmith location. Equipment will provide growth opportunities for revenue and the need to increase staff. Amount Approved: $47,725
Leroux Farm
Leroux Farm
green energy sectors. Project Summary: With the purchase of equipment, this business can capture new market opportunities to expand into other areas of research/data collection, job growth, and skills training for increased knowledge. Amount Approved: $3,784 Website: www.airtech-solutions.ca
Sharbot Lake Retirement Retreat This is a retirement facility located in Sharbot Lake, being renovated to meet health, safety, and accessibility issues. Project Summary: This project initiative included assistance with architectural and structural plans, together with assistance for the accessible elevator and front entry system. Amount Approved: $70,000
Wolfe Island Artisan Spring Craft Brewery
This farm business is a year round dairy goat farm – supplying milk to various dairy plants, such as Fifth Town Cheese in Picton. They also cultivate hay, barley and corn for feed. Project Summary: Project objective is to improve efficiencies in order to increase herd size and provide 1 new job. Amount approved: $4,301
This is a new start-up brewery located on Wolfe Island. Project Summary: Equipment, skills training, and trade show attendances will provide growth opportunities for this business to perfect the art of brewing craft beer. Amount Approved: $94,600
Sugar Hill Farms is a family owned/operated
This farm produces items that are managed under organic standards and direct marketed in the Kingston Ontario area, such as restaurants, independent retailers, their farm store, and the dairy goes into the provincial organic milk pool. Project Sumary: This project involves equipment that would assist their spelt-growing operation in becoming more efficient and to have more control over its quality. Amount Approved: $28,816
farm that direct markets their products, including totally grass-fed certified organic Black Angus beef, Red Tamworth pork, maple syrup, honey, poultry, and firewood. Project Summary: This project involves business efficiencies through equipment and job growth. Amount approved: $3,875 Website: www.sugarhillfarm.ca
Seed to Sausage produces a selection of dry cured meat products and fresh sausages. It continually grows each year and now employs 13 staff and has a retail outlet in Ottawa. Project Summary: This project includes new equipment for business efficiencies and wholesale market diversification opportunities, plus skills training. Amount Approved: $46,092 Website: www.seedtosausage.ca
Sonset Farm
Sugar Woods Farm has been in operation for over 40 years, and started growing grapes in 2005 and after much experimentation; Sugar Woods Farm is entering the business of wine grape production. Project Sumary: This project consists of purchasing equipment that will make the wine process much more efficient and give consistent results – which will allow for expansion and revenues. Amount Approved: $1,750
For a full listing of approved EODP applications, visit http://bit.ly/1ClsFUC It's not too late, applications for funding are still being accepted.
Mike McKenzie, Owner, Seed to Sausage
Artisan & Assistance
Mike McKenzie was making sausages as a hobby and in the midst of making a career change when staff from the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation staff presented him with a business opportunity to create artisan cured meats. “The Frontenac CFDC provided us with financial support to renovate our facility and purchase some equipment,” says Mike. “If it were not for the CFDC we might have not even started our business in the area.” Mike’s passion for quality food has led to exceptional business growth and Mike has found that the “CFDC has been an incredible support to us at Seed to Sausage. More than anything their
positive attitude and having someone to talk to and learn from has been remarkable. Their knowledge of business, remarkable team of board members, and willingness to help grow all of Frontenac County is incredible.” The Frontenac CFDC is a non-profit organization funded by FedDev Ontario, offering free business advice, workshops, and commercial financing to entrepreneurs and those looking to start a business in the Frontenacs. To find out more about realizing your business dream contact 613-372-1414, 1-888-372-9962 or email info@frontenaccfdc.com.
For a free consultation, call 1-888-372-9962
EODP Approved Projects continued Back Forty Artisan Cheese located in the hamlet of Mississippi Station, makes hand crafted raw ewe milk artisanal cheeses of the highest quality. Each cheese is made by hand in very small batches, aging from two to nine months. Project Summary: This project involves facility expansion and business efficiencies, tourist attraction opportunities and increased revenues. Amount Approved: $4,127 Website: www.artisancheese.ca
Canadian Environmental Drilling works with environmental consultants and engineering companies on a variety of different projects, gathering geotechnical information throughout eastern Ontario. Project Summary: New technology to keep up with changes in the drilling industry, increase revenues and market diversification opportunities, and job growth. Amount Approved: $62,500 Website: www.canadianenvironmentaldrilling.com
Conboy Farm produces maple syrup, selling 70% at their year round farm gate. They also wholesale 30% to clients located throughout eastern Ontario. Project Summary: This project assists with equipment that will increase efficiencies, and provide growth opportunities for the farm to tap 1,000 additional trees. Amount Approved: $6,000 Silverbrook Landscaping & Gardens Established in 1991, Silverbrook is a family-owned market garden, greenhouse and antique shop in Sydenham, growing annual and perennial plants, fruits and vegetables for retail sale. Project Summary: Assisting with equipment purchase to reduce spoilage, increase revenues and business efficiencies. Amount Approved: $2,400
Eastern Ontario Trail Alliance EOTA brings together people and groups who have an interest in developing a regional shared-use trail network. Project Summary: Upgrade and enhance the trails in Central and North Frontenac, to build a trailhead for recreational trail users at Ompah in order to access the trail network in North Frontenac Township. Amount Approved: $12,000 Website: www.thetrail.ca
County of Lennox & Addington With 3 partners forming the Food & Beverage (FAB) Region this investment marketing initiative is aimed at attracting and growing small scale (artisanal) food and beverage businesses. Project Summary: This project will showcase the success of the FABregion initiative with a PR campaign to generate more leads for the continued growth of the craft brewery sector and other food and beverage businesses. Amount Approved: $11,925 Website: www.lennox-addington.on.ca
Congratulations continued from page 2 and they have another local resident who works as a Driller and have just hired a new Driller’s assistant who also lives in South Frontenac. Recently with the help of Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation and BMO they have expanded their fleet of Drill Rigs, adding a 6620DT Geoprobe to better serve their client’s needs. “We thank Frontenac CFDC and BMO for their help and support in this addition to our company. Since the purchase of the new Geoprobe we already have job bookings and have hired 1 new employee from our community. We predict that if business keeps up like this we will need to hire 1-2 more drillers very soon” says Lisa Fillion. Congratulations to Stephanie Newman on her new business, The Cheesecakery Bakery. Stephanie’s scrumptious cheesecakes are available as custom orders for 8” or 10” cakes, in mason jars or as mini cupcakes. The mason jar cheesecakes are also available for purchase at Ormsbees, Gilmore’s On 38, The Point Restaurant, Grandmas House Bakery and Cafe and The Creek. Visit Facebook.com/TheCheesecakeryBakery or cheesecakerybakery.ca Holly Labow is to be congratulated on her charming new spa studio, Polished. Overlooking Pine Lake, Polished offers a full range of spa services. Whether you choose a simple brow wax, or an hour long pedicure, facial or massage, you will be treated to a relaxing and professional experience. Located at 1080 Brown's Lane, Ardoch, call 613-479-2166 or text 905-375-4558. Holly can also be reached by email, hollylabow@gmail.com, or through her website www.polishedspaservices.com. Do you have business news you would like to share in our next newsletter? Email anne@ frontenaccfdc.com by Dec 16th.
Spotlight On Business
Double S Sports & Marina
At Double S Sports & Marina, they run like crazy all summer, but they keep busy the rest of the year as well. Running a marina, gas and convenience store on the shores of a prime cottage lake keeps Rose and Denis Bedard hopping during the cottage season, but when they purchased the business back in 2003, they worried about the long, long shoulder seasons. How could they drum up business during the fall, winter, and spring? There was no one single answer. Sitting on the back porch behind the store last week, Denis and Rose Bedard of Double S Sports & Marina “We didn't know what to expect; 25 riders, 50 riders?” on the shores of the tranquil bay on the first cool September afternoon of the season, they reflected on the way said Denis. “Certainly not the 300 who came,” said Rose. their business has developed over the years. A fall ATV run was added soon after and the runs have “All summer we are busy serving customers at the store. It really is non-stop from mid-June, and then after Labour become the busiest weekends the Ompah region has Day I begin repairing, winterizing and wrapping boats,” seen since the Ompah Stomp drew 10,000 country music said Denis. That keeps him busy through October, and fans it its heyday in the 1980s. The most recent run, the 2016 Ride for Dad, took place on then hunting season brings business into mid-November. When they got involved in boat repairs and winterizing, September 16 and drew over 535 participants. The spring the Bedards looked to the Frontenac CFDC, which was in runs regularly draw 850 bikes. “The runs are pretty routine for us now,” Rose said. “We have its infancy at the time, for financing to build a small gaat least 40 volunteers who really know what they are doing. rage to do the work. “I used to do it right next to the store,” Denis said, point- The dinner is great, and some of the local artisans even show ing towards a small stretch of gravel between Road 509 and their work at the hall. It is a great event for everyone.” The other thing the ATV runs do - and this is key for the Palmerston Lake, “but if anyone came to say hello, we would be talking for an hour and it would be time for lunch. This Double S Sports - it promote ATV trail riding in North way I have a quiet place to work, and a real shop to work in.” Frontenac. “People come out to the run, where they don’t need to In the spring of 2007, Rose and Denis brought an idea into reality when they organized a spring ATV run on the know much about the trail. They follow the signs; they folCrown land trails north of Ompah. They still had contacts low the riders in front of them, and they get familiar with in Calabogie, where they were living before they bought the trails. Then they feel comfortable coming back.” ATV trail riders need to buy fuel and other things, and the marina, and the first run was a collaboration between a group in Calabogie and themselves, with the local com- that keeps traffic flowing at Palmerston Lake during the fall and spring seasons. munity stepping in to help, in a big way. “The winter snowmobile season depends on snow,” said “We felt the run would be a good way to kick-start the spring season, to promote the trails for the rest of the year, Rose, “but if the snow isn't there sometimes the ATV season can be extended.” and to raise money for the fire department,” said Rose. In order to keep up with the demand for fuel, and to avoid So we went out and solicited sponsors in the ATV industry and others who saw the benefit of supporting a local any potential environmental issues, the Bedards recently event. The Ottawa Valley ATV Club was quick to jump on went back to the CFDC to help finance new above-ground fuel tanks for the marina. board and the fire auxiliary provided lots of help. The decision to move to Ompah from Calabogie in 2003 might have seemed like a risky one, given the constraints of a summer tourism season, but Rose and Denis have been able to build a year-round business by being innovative and building contacts with the local community. • Top Five Mistakes Start-Ups Make Oct 27, 2016 6 pm – 7 pm. This session is designed to Article by Jeff Green, The Frontenac News ■ assist business owners to have a better understanding of the value of a business plan and business structure, as well as how to monitor cash flow. The learning objective for the participant is to identify the value of developing a business plan, identify business structure, gain a better understanding of cash flow, and make informed decisions regarding taxes. Presented by a Lisa Knechtle-Jerkiewicz, Corey Klatt is thrilled to advise that Council for the Towna member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of ship of North Frontenac adopted a Community ImproveCanada. To register for this free workshop at the Frontenac ment Plan (CIP) on March 18, 2016. The Community Improvement Plan (CIP) may provide financial assistance to CFDC office visit http://bit.ly/2bD5kap renovate or expand existing eligible businesses through• Understanding Financial Statements out North Frontenac Township via an application process. Nov 17, 2016 6pm -7pm. This workshop is designed Grants are available to assist with projects falling within to cover the basics around the terms and concepts of fi- four areas: nancial statements. Participants will learn to review and understand financials statements and be able to ask in- 1. Façade Improvement Program; formed questions of financial professionals. This session 2. Accessibility Enhancements; will help participants understand: How’s the business do- 3. Commercial Space Funding; ing? Did we make money this year? What does my Profit 4. Municipal Fees Program. & Loss statement tell me? Why do I need a balance sheet? Information on the CIP and applications forms are availWhere is my cash coming from? Where is my cash go- able on the Township’s website at www.northfrontenac. ing to? Presented by Lisa Knechtle-Jerkiewicz, a member com or at the Municipal Office, 6648 Road 506, Plevna. For of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada. To further information contact Corey Klatt, Manager of Comregister for this free workshop at the Frontenac CFDC of- munity Development by phone at 613-479-2231 ext. 233 or by email at recreation@northfrontenac.ca. ■ fice visit http://bit.ly/2bD6brF ■
Upcoming Workshops
North Frontenac Community Improvement Plan
For more on our services visit www.frontenaccfdc.com
Frontenac Agricultural News
Growing Forward 2 Cost Share Funding - Helping producers and processors reach their goals - The Frontenac CFDC is hosting a free information session on the Growing Forward (GF) 2 program in advance of their next application intake of October 14 to November 3rd. Producers – Colleen Acres, Ontario Soil and Crop Association will explain how Growing Forward 2 works, how to apply for funding and any other project specific opportunities attendees might have. The key point of the workshops is to assist Ontario farm businesses in identifying strengths and weaknesses in a variety of areas that influence the farm’s profitability, productivity and sustainability. Processors – Yves Lavictoire, Business Development Consultant, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will provide an overview of the Growing Forward 2 resources, tools and cost-share funding assistance that is available to eligible processors to grow their profits, expand markets and manage shared risks. Date: Thursday, October 6, 2016 Time: Producers 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Processors 2:15- pm to 3:15 pm Location: Community Room, Sydenham Public Library, 4412 Wheatley St. Sydenham The session is free and you must pre-register at http://bit.ly/2cowKzO November 22-23 - Registration is now open for the Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference being held in Belleville. Keynote address will be provided by award-winning journalist Sarah Elton, author of “The Locavore” and “Consumed: Food for a Finite Planet”. Ms. Elton will be speaking on the conference theme of “Mission: Resilience”. Full agenda and registration details at www.eastontlocalfood.ca. New Pepper Variety in the Making -- Local Farmers Participate in the Research Kathy Rothermel, chair of the Kingston Area Seed System Initiative (KASSI), and the owner of Mouse Seeds, is one of four Ontario seed growers involved in a project to develop an early red pepper for this region. KASSI promotes responsible stewardship of our seed heritage and building of the regional seed system. "Our goals are to ensure sustainable local food production by growing out and distributing heirloom and locally-adapted seed, and by creating a vibrant network of regional growers," says Cate Henderson, vice-chair of KASSI www.seedsgrowfood.org
Sonset Farm
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rrie Cumpson was raised at Sonset Farm, and in the early 1990s, he and his wife Andrea began the long process of transitioning what had been a traditional dairy farm into an organic farm, by changing the feed and other inputs for their cattle, and eliminating herbicides and synthetic fertilizers on the land. By the late 1990s the farm, which is located on Latimer Road near Inverary, was fully organic and since then the milk has been marketed through the organic milk pool through Dairy Farmers of Ontario. Sonset has worked with a network of organic farms throughout Ontario to improve growing techniques and marketing ever since then. One of the principles of organic food production is to extend the principles of sustainable growth and self sufficiency throughout the entire farming process, and to that end, in addition to milk for the Ontario market, Sonset produces beef, pork, chicken, eggs, spelt products, vegetables and more for the local market. Their products are available at Glenburnie Grocery, Food Less Traveled, and Siegreds, Tara Foods and Wendy's Mobile Food in Kingston, and at their farm gate store. One of the key factors in the continual process of change Sonset has undergone for over 20 years has been the spelt crop, which was added to the crop rotation of oats, barley and hay in the mid-1990s. “We went on a farm tour and saw a beautiful field of spelt. We thought it would grow well here and did some research. It has worked really well for us over that time,” said Andrea, when interviewed late in August, just after a good rain had brought Sonset back from the brink of a historic summer drought. Sonset grows about 65-70 acres of spelt each year, and spelt flour has become increasingly popular since it is low in gluten and can be successfully used for both
Orrie Cumpson (centre), with his wife Andrea and son Charlie, of Sonset Farms. bread and pastries. provides boarding and riding facilities for horses, has With the help of the Frontenac CFDC, Sonset has re- been part of the mix at Sonset. cently put in a storage bin and de-huller for spelt, which Charlie and Hailey, who is the main person at Sonhas allowed them to grow, harvest, de-hull and clean Ridge, recently got married and in the spirit of the farm, all of their spelt on site for the first time. This eliminates the marriage took place in a spelt field. the need to send it off to a farm near Peterborough for One of the pleasant outcomes of all the work over the cleaning and de-hulling. years creating healthy soil and making Sonset a fully in“It saves transportation; it keeps the entire production tegrated operation, was the fact that the farm withstood in our hands and will create more opportunities for us the historic dry weather of the summer better than the to serve the growing local market for spelt flour, rolled Cumpsons could have expected. spelt, and spelt kernels,” said Charlie Cumpson, Orrie What's next for Sonset Farm? and Andrea's son, who represents the third generation Although they have never grown wheat, they are lookof Cumpsons running Sonset Farm. ing at Einkorn Wheat, an ancient variety, as a potential Sonset Farm is also getting more heavily into rais- new crop. ing meat chickens, something that Charlie has been working on, and since 2011 Son-Ridge Stables, which Article by Jeff Green, The Frontenac News ■
Ontario’s artisan Food and Beverage (FAB) Region is a unique economic development partnership between Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation and the counties of Hastings, Prince Edward, Lennox & Addington with a goal of helping entrepreneurs ‘live their dream’ of operating an artisanal food and beverage business. Our partnership began with the launch of an Invest In Cheese initiative in 2009 and it proved to be so successful that we are strengthening our partnership to establish our area as Ontario’s premier Food and Beverage (FAB) Region. Our current focus is on attracting craft breweries to the region and you may download our iCraftBrew app on How to Start a Craft Brewery by visiting our website. We are here to help you turn your dream into reality. We will devote this section of our quarterly newsletter to feature a local “FAB” business. If you are the owner of an artisan food or beverage business and would like to be featured in an upcoming issue, contact Anne Prichard at 613-372-1414. Check us out on Twitter @FABRegion , Facebook @FABRegion and www.fabregion.ca
For a free consultation, call 1-888-372-9962