10 - Southpoint Sun
Agricultural and horticultural societies to receive funding REGIONAL — Ontario agricultural and horticultural societies, impacted by the pandemic, will receive funding support to help them through the COVID-19 recovery in 2021. Programming details under the $5 million program were announced recently by Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association annual general meeting. Rick Nicholls, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, welcomed the announcement that will help protect and support agricultural and horticultural societies through the next phase of COVID-19 economic recovery. “The demand for buying locally Ontario grown produce is increasing,” said MPP Nicholls. “Agricultural and horticultural societies, impacted by COVID-19, are getting the support they need. Encouraging people to support Ontario grown products helps our thriving Ontario economy.” “These societies have a rich history throughout rural Ontario,” said Minister Hardeman. “They play a vital role in agricultural education and provide opportunities for young people across this province to learn and grow an appreciation for agriculture and horticulture. This funding will help support these so-
cieties during a difficult period so they can continue to operate and contribute to our economic recovery.” Societies have been unable to hold revenue-generating events over the past 10 months due to health and safety concerns around COVID-19. This one-time initiative features two funding streams: • $1.8M Base Support Funding will provide eligible agricultural societies with $7,000 and eligible horticultural societies with $1,140 in funding to support their continued delivery of agricultural and horticultural education across Ontario. • $3.2M Hardship Funding for eligible agricultural societies will provide additional support which will be based on their reported gate receipts from 2019. This will help off-set operating losses, liabilities, and fixed overhead costs. Funding is expected to flow before March 31, 2021. Agricultural and horticultural societies have played a critical role in educating Ontarians on the importance of agriculture for more than a century. Supporting this important sector, at this time, will ensure the long traditions and economic contributions of the societies will not be lost as the province recovers from the impacts of COVID-19.
Community Calendar
ONGOING MIRACLE MOBILE MARKET - Free fresh produce boxes available in Wheatley every Tuesday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at Wheatley Baptist Church, 47 Talbot Road E. You can pick up a box and have option of paying it forward by donating and helping someone else. ERIE SHORES TOASTMASTERS Meeting online at 6:00 p.m. every other Wednesday. Next meeting is February 17. Develop your Communication and Leadership Skills in a positive, friendly environment. Visit a meeting and see how you like it! For more info Email: ErieShoresTM@yahoo.com Facebook: Erie Shores Toastmasters or go to ErieShores. toastmastersclubs.org and click on Contact Us. COMMUNITY TAKEOUT IS AVAILABLE at Leamington United Church, 4:00 - 5:00 pm every Monday. St. John’s Anglican Church also has takeout meals available every Wednesday from 4-5pm. Food and clothing are available from St. Vincent De Paul at St. Michael’s Parish, Salvation Army Food Bank, The warming Cross at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Food Cupboard at St. John’s Anglican church, The Bridge (ages 14-24), Food Pantry at Parkdale Variety, neighbourhood pantry at Erie South and Marlborough and the Angel Pantry at St. John’s Anglican Church. All are free. All are welcome.
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE’S DRINKING? Al-Anon Family Groups meeting information: 519-790-7739 or www.alanonwindsoressex.com IF YOU WANT TO DRINK, THAT’S YOUR BUSINESS If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous: 519-999-1234.
Greenhouse competitiveness supported by province REGIONAL - A recent announcement confirms that the Ontario government is supporting greenhouse growers by investing over $3.6 million in 12 innovative projects to help develop new technologies, recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and enhance competitiveness and innovation. Funding is being provided through the Greenhouse Competitiveness and Innovation Initiative (GCII). Projects are designed to focus on key areas, identified by the sector, to help drive greater industry innovation, resilience and economic growth. Rick Nicholls, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, welcomed funding announcement of $1.83M for the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers in Leamington which will go towards seven different projects. The investment will protect greenhouses through the development of a cost-effective anti-viral coating technology to treat tools and surfaces. Furthermore, close to $1 million in funding will also be provided to a local grower to commercially test a 24-hour, low intensity lighting system aimed at reducing energy consumption during peak hours and improve efficiency in greenhouse vegetable production. “Ontario is rapidly expanding, and so will our need for fresh local pro-
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RANDY ATKINSON FUND provides money for extras that OHIP doesn’t pay for or to help with unexpected expenses for cancer patients (e.g. hospital parking etc). If you, your group or organization would like to have a speaker explain the fund and its availability in this area, call 519-682-2580. PLAY ROTARY TV BINGO GAMES - Tuesday nights, live on TVCOGECO from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Can only be viewed in Chatham-Kent viewing areas. Support the community and purchase your cards from Adamson Guardian Drugs, Wheatley. Pick up your cards early! Play 5 different games on 3 faces in 1 hour. $3 for 15 ways to win and $2000 in prizes. PREGNANCY & RESOURCE CENTRE, 33 Princess St. (Central 33) Suite 212, Leamington, offers free and confidential services provided by registered nurses and trained volunteers. Free pregnancy tests. Call 24/7 for free and confidential support - 519-3260612. Business calls: 519-326-3821.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR IS NOW BACK IN THE SOUTHPOINT SUN To place your event in the Community Calendar... Phone: 519-398-9098 • Email: sun@southpointsun.ca • or drop off at 194 Talbot St. E. Unit 2, Leamington SUBMISSIONS NOT GUARANTEED.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
duce,” said Nicholls. “This funding to expand, support, and innovate our greenhouses in Ontario will benefit everyone in the long run.” “During these exceptional times, Ontario’s greenhouse operations have played a critical role in making sure families across the province can continue to put food on their tables all year long,” said Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “That’s why we are investing in projects that will help greenhouse businesses improve productivity and adopt new technologies to address labour challenges and better position greenhouses to recover from COVID-19 faster.” “The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers wish to thank the Minister as well as the entire Ontario Government for their support.” said George J. Gilvesy, Chair for OGVG. “Their ongoing trust and belief in our sector proves that private and public efforts can come together for the overall good.” The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs estimates that approximately 85,000 direct jobs and $3.4 billion direct GDP can be attributed to Ontario’s greenhouse vegetable and floriculture and nursery industry value chain including farm, processing and retail in 2019.
ForYou
LITTL r On e! E Child must be 4 years of age
on or before Dec. 31, 2021 to attend
Kindergarten
VirtuhaelLife”
“A Day in
t
rams View prog ually rt i v n o i t in ac
April 8th
PLEASE BRING PROOF OF:
AGE, HOME ADDRESS IMMUNIZATION RECORD
February 15 26, 2021 Call to book a visit for you and your child!
VIRTUAL Open House: Feb. 17th 5:00-7:00 PLEASE CALL AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO REGISTER AT YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:
SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL
SECRETARY
PHONE
EAST MERSEA GORE HILL (FI) (dual) JACK MINER KINGSVILLE (FI) (dual) M.D. BENNIE MOUNT CARMEL-BLYTHESWOOD QUEEN ELIZABETH
Anna Mastronardi Bill Cer vini Mike Huggard Rob Kapetanov Chris Konrad Kim Pool-Oleynik Mark Campbell
Jaclynn Arquette Silmara Conde Heidi Harnish Diana Humphries Lindsay Tetzlaff Kim Iaquinta Tracy Cuthber t
519-825-4596 519-326-3431 519-733-2329 519-733-2338 519-326-6603 519-326-7154 519-326-9451 = Latchkey Program
Registration Forms are available online at:
publicboard.ca
