GUELPH – On Oct. 8 the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) announced a provincial investment of $1.7 million over three years in its leadership, data and economic development programs.
Rural
Firefighters learn skills in large-animal rescue
ELORA – First responders got hands-on training in large animal rescue at the Grand River Raceway on Oct. 17.
Sensational Elora brings Pumpkin Day to museum
ABOYNE – Sensational Elora held Pumpkin Day on Oct. 11.
Ontario to invest $41 Million in agriculture research infrastructure
ELORA – The provincial government has announced it will invest over $41 million over the next four years to build and revitalize Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO) infrastructure.
MacAndrews Pumpkin Farm is stocked and open for business
MOUNT FOREST – MacAndrews Pumpkin Farm is stocked and open for business, boasting over 40 varieties of pumpkins, squash and other seasonal goodies.
County starts farm succession planning help for local farmers
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Just 276 Wellington County farms had written succession plans in 2021, according to an agriculture census that year.
Agriculture stakeholders meet in Niagara to steer agri-food sector’s future
GUELPH - Agricultural leaders met in Niagara Falls for the first-ever Agri-Food 2025 event to prepare the sector for the coming quarter century.
Wellington’s Nina Hiddema makes top five in Ontario’s Queen of the Furrow
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Wellington’s Queen of the Furrow Nina Hiddema made top five in the competition to be crowned Ontario’s Queen of the Furrow during last week’s International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in Grassie, Ontario.
Governments spending on farmland improvements
ONTARIO – The governments of Canada and Ontario are spending up to $14.6 million through the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) to help farmers make improvements to their farmland.
Fergus Fall Fair ambassador honour a family tradition
FERGUS – For six women, the Fergus Fall Fair has become an annual family reunion.
Organizers expect ‘one of largest’ Rural Romps to date
WELLINGTON COUNTY – A popular semi-annual, self-guided food and farm tour is back later this month, focusing on Wellington County’s southern farms.
Arthur Fall Fair a ‘great’ success: Kaminski
ARTHUR – The air was crisp and the wind blustery, but the sun shone warmly upon the 2025 Arthur Fall Fair.
ROI welcomes Peggy Brekveld
GUELPH – The Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) announced Peggy Brekveld will be joining the ROI team as the new leadership programs manager on Aug. 29. Peggy will begin her new role in October.
Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus advances rural priorities
OTTAWA – Municipal representatives met in Ottawa last month to talk about issues including housing, infrastructure, mental health and addictions.
OFA leaders discuss issues with Liberal agriculture critic
ONTARIO – This week, the OFA welcomed MPP Ted Hsu, the Ontario Liberals Agriculture Critic, to its headquarters in Guelph.