Agricultural Development, Local Food, northern ontario

Greenhouse Production and Vertical Farming Webinars For Northern Ontario

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As technology becomes available, new crops and production methods are expanding opportunities in Northern Ontario.

Register for the Greenhouse Production and Vertical Farming Webinars and learn from the experts about some of the key considerations when starting a project. Municipalities play a key role in determining how and where production activities occur. By attending these webinars, municipal staff, elected officials, businesses, and community organizers will gain an understanding of key aspects of growing under cover, including:

  • New technologies
  • Advantages and limitations
  • Lessons learned from people working in this sector
Continue reading Greenhouse Production and Vertical Farming Webinars For Northern Ontario →
Downtown Revitalization, Economic Development

Award-winning EDAC & EDCO Economic Recovery Projects

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When COVID-19 cases began to spike in 2020, municipalities started exploring a variety of ways to support businesses. Across Canada, economic development organizations examined the unique challenges facing their communities and created action plans to help businesses survive and recover from disruption caused by the pandemic.

This post showcases organizations and related activities that were recently recognized by the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) and the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) for their economic recovery projects.

At EDAC’s 2020 Conference, three participants won the Marketing Canada Award for the COVID-19 Recovery Project/Plan category:

Continue reading Award-winning EDAC & EDCO Economic Recovery Projects →
Local Food, northern ontario

Highlights from the 2021 North & Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference

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The North & Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference has officially ended. This year, hundreds of attendees from regions across Ontario attended the virtual conference to learn about topics such as agri-tourism, farming, greenhouse production, and more from experts and small Ontario businesses. Following the theme of local food, two chef-led lunches were hosted to encourage people to support Ontario farmers by purchasing local Ontario produce.

Session 1: “Local Food More Than Ever” – March 10

Continue reading Highlights from the 2021 North & Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference →
Economic Development

REGISTRATION OPEN: MAY 6TH BR+E COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE WEBINAR

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A recent survey of rural economic development practitioners across Canada revealed that business outreach and enhanced BR+E programs are two key avenues being explored to aid economic recovery. Business engagement and the use of business-level data to guide strategic planning have historically been core components of effective economic development practice. The current pandemic has reinforced the need to ensure that business needs are identified and addressed in an effective and efficient manner.

Join other BR+E practitioners on Thursday, May 6, 2021 for a panel discussion on a variety of approaches and outcomes relating to three theme areas:

  • Using Focus Groups for Business Engagement – Simcoe County
  • Springing to BR+E Actions during a Pandemic – Wellington County
  • The Art of and Science of Collaboration for BR+E – Dufferin County & the Town of Orangeville

Presentations by panelists representing the communities listed above will be followed by a discussion and Q&A segment.

To register for the event, follow this link

OMAFRA provides economic development tools, training and technical guidance to rural Ontario communities. Follow this link for more information on the OMAFRA BR+E program.

Agricultural Development, Economic Development, Resources

Learn How Clients are Using ANALYST to Inform Their Planning Decisions

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Analyst is an online tool that pulls data from a range of sources to provide information on regional economies and workforces. Clients can use Analyst to understand the demand for educational programs, identify the skills that employers need, communicate the value of higher education to parents and students, connect jobseekers to the labor market, find the right talent, and so much more. 

But, over time, a common pattern has emerged. No matter the use or application, almost every client uses Analyst to do the following: 

  1. Discover
  2. Strategize
  3. Lead
  4. Build relationships
Continue reading Learn How Clients are Using ANALYST to Inform Their Planning Decisions →
Agricultural Development, Resources

CAP Special Provisions and Farmer Mental Health Resources

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Owning a farm is much more than a business; it is a way of life. As with most businesses, there are some very stressful times that can weigh you down. During busy seasons or critical production periods, it is normal to be faced with time constraints and pressures and facing major financial issues can multiply these pressures many times.  During these times, and with the added reality of COVID-19, these demands can put anyone involved in the business of agriculture under a great deal of stress, often impacting one’s mental health.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) cares about the well-being of farmers and farm families and recognizes the unique challenges that can lead to mental health issues. In an effort to support Ontario farmers and their families experiencing mental health issues, OMAFRA has made various resources available to anyone needing some help during a difficult time. These include:

Continue reading CAP Special Provisions and Farmer Mental Health Resources →
Agricultural Development, Economic Development

Registration Open: Online Agriculture Economic Development Training

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If your community is looking for ways to support your local agriculture sector; consider attending the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) online Agriculture Economic Development Training.

The course is split into two sessions and registration is free.

  • Tuesday April 27, 10am – 11:30am
  • Tuesday May 4, 10am – 11:30am

This interactive training will:

Continue reading Registration Open: Online Agriculture Economic Development Training →
Economic Development, Organizational Development

Tips for Hosting a Successful Virtual Annual General Meeting

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With the ongoing pandemic, Annual General Meetings (AGM) are being held in a virtual environment using video conferencing. Video conferencing is a good option when meetings can’t be held in-person. Participants still have the ability to be heard and seen in real-time using online meeting platforms.

Now more than ever, it is very important to plan for your AGM well in advance. This includes setting the date, time, downloading or purchasing the necessary online meeting platform, and sending meeting materials and links to attendees at least a week before the AGM. Although you may be hosting your AGM within the comfort of your own home, you still want to maintain a professional presence.

Here are some tips on conference call/video etiquette:

Continue reading Tips for Hosting a Successful Virtual Annual General Meeting →
Economic Development

Register Now: Spring 2021 BR+E Coordinator Training

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Do you want to learn how to engage the business community so you can strengthen your local economy? Consider attending the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ (OMAFRA) three-part Business Retention + Expansion (BR+E) training in April:

  • Thursday, April 8th 10:30am – 12pm
  • Thursday, April 15th 10:30am – 12pm
  • Thursday, April 22nd 10:30am – 12pm

As communities explore ways to support local businesses and foster post-pandemic growth, a BR+E project can assist by:

  • prioritizing business engagement
  • identifying key challenges and opportunities
  • provide insights into how to develop long-term goals and actions

BR+E fundamentals (spanning all four stages of the OMAFRA BR+E process) will be covered during the three training blocks.

Register for the BR+E training. More information about the OMAFRA BR+E program.

Diversity and Inclusion

Black History Month 2021

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It has been 25 years since the Government of Canada declared February as Black History Month. In 1995, the Honourable Jean Augustine (pictured above) coordinated a breakthrough unanimous vote to officially designate February as Black History Month in Canada. Augustine is the first Black woman elected as a Canadian Member of Parliament and the first Black woman appointed to the federal cabinet. She has held roles such as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, and continues to dedicate her life to advocate for social justice and equality.

Continue reading Black History Month 2021 →

Regional Economic Development Branch blog focusing on agriculture and rural economic development for Ontario