Do you have a good idea to grow your business or for a project that will provide economic impact to the community?

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.

FRONTENACCommunity Futures Development Corporation

Building business – growing communities

NEWS from the

FRONTENAC CFDCbuilding business ~ growing communitiesFAll 2016

For more on our services visit www.frontenaccfdc.com

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 (Fed-Dev). 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:•Businessinformationandcounsellingatnocost•Commercialloans•Interest-freeloans*•CommunityEconomicDevelopment•EasternOntarioDevelopmentProgram(EODP)* for eligible commercial projects and subject to available fundingThe Frontenac CFDC board has identified “pivotal” areas of focus.FoodandBeverage – To attract, grow and retain small scale (artisanal) food and beverage businesses. InnovativeRuralOpportunities - Foster and support businesses related to the creative economy, rural entrepreneurship and niche agribusiness.PromotingBusinesses - 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.AwarenessofCFDCServicesandPrograms - 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.OtherFrontenacCFDCprogramsandservicesinclude:Visit our website frontenaccfdc.com and make use of the online resources, business information and guides.PromoteyourbusinessforFREE 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 ac-cept 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. SubscribetoourBlogbygoingtoourwebsiteFuturpreneur Canada supports young entrepreneurs with up to $45,000 in financing and an expert business-mentor for up to two years.

FrontenacCommunityFuturesDevelopmentCorporation5062 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, infor-mation and events and to learn about other businesses in the area. Or check out the local businesses on our You Tube.

FRONTENACCommunity Futures Development Corporation

Building business – growing communities

Personally, it is beyond me to figure out what specifica-tions we need for our office hard drives or how best to secure and back up our system. I also found it challeng-ing 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 op-portunities.

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 acceler-ate 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 consul-tants to learn more about your business and the challeng-es you are facing so that they can assist you. If you are a Frontenac business and would like to access this consult-ing, 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 con-fusing 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 learn-ing 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 ses-sions that you would like to see offered, please forward your suggestions to anne@frontenaccfdc.com.

Workshop DatesOne 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 attend-ees 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 Li-brary, Amherstview. To register, visit http://bit.ly/2ctVPK1

Tuesday, Oct 25th 6:00 -8:30 pm Addington High-lands Municipal Office, Flinon. To register visit http://bit.ly/2cCWycq

Thursday, Oct 27th 6 pm to 8:30 pm, St. Lawrence Col-lege 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 so-cial media, search engine optimization, google analytics, web master tools, Adwords and other paid advertising platforms, email marketing, and general remarketing. Par-ticipants 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 ■

looking to increase your sales? Wondering what software to use for bookkeeping?What hardware solution best suits your business?

This project is funded by the Government of Canada.Ce projet est financé par le Gouvernement du Canada.

This project is funded by the Government of Canada.Ce projet est financé par le Gouvernement du Canada.

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 Construc-tion Ltd has been in business for 30 years and we be-lieve we have found the perfect location to continue conducting our business. We have dreamed of owning our own building within the South Frontenac commu-nity since we took over the family business completely in 2008. Our business has continued to maintain and grow both in the commercial and residential con-struction 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 busi-ness, 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 com-pany 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 wed-ding 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 Batter-sea. 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. Meet-ing 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 des-tination 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- 353-2211, 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 ceil-ings 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 ensur-ing 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 sea-sonal 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 Geotechni-cal drilling services for groundwater related investiga-tions. Congratulations to Jonathan Fillion on his 11th year in business. Jonathan is a Civil Engineer Technol-ogy graduate from St. Lawrence College. Along with Jonathan, his sister Lisa works as the AdministratorContinued page 3 see Congratulations...

For a free consultation, call 1-888-372-9962

Mike McKenzie, Owner, Seed to Sausage

Artisan & AssistanceMike McKenzie was making sausages as a hobby and in the midst of making a career change when staff from the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corpora-tion staff presented him with a business opportunity to cre-ate 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, re-markable 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 ad-vice, workshops, and commercial financing to entrepre-neurs and those looking to start a business in the Fron-tenacs. To find out more about realizing your business dream contact 613-372-1414, 1-888-372-9962 or email info@frontenaccfdc.com.

EODp Approved projectsBergElevatingThis 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: $13,975Website: www.bergelevating.com

B.D.CustomMachiningB.D. Custom Manufacturing, founded in the spring

of 2014, designs and manufactures specialized items. New product development re-quests 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

LerouxFarmThis 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

SugarHillFarmsis a family owned/operated farm that direct markets their products, includ-ing 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: $3,875Website: www.sugarhillfarm.ca

SeedtoSausage 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.ProjectSummary: This project includes new equip-ment for business efficiencies and wholesale market diversification opportunities, plus skills training. Amount Approved: $46,092Website: www.seedtosausage.ca

AirTechSolutions uses UAV’s (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to provide data collection in-formation in the agricultural, industrial and

green energy sectors. ProjectSummary: 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: $3,784Website: www.airtech-solutions.ca

SharbotLakeRetirementRetreatThis is a retirement facility located in Sharbot Lake, being renovated to meet health, safety, and accessibility issues. Project Summary: This project initiative included as-sistance with architectural and structural plans, together

with assistance for the accessible elevator and front entry system. Amount Approved: $70,000

WolfeIslandArtisanSpringCraftBreweryThis is a new start-up brewery located on Wolfe Island.ProjectSummary: Equipment, skills training, and trade show attendances will pro-vide growth opportunities for this business to perfect the art of brewing craft beer.Amount Approved: $94,600

SonsetFarmThis farm produces items that are managed under organic standards and direct marketed in the Kings-ton Ontario area, such as restaurants, independent retailers, their farm store, and the dairy goes into the provincial organic milk pool.

ProjectSumary: This project involves equipment that would assist their spelt-grow-ing operation in becoming more efficient and to have more control over its quality. Amount Approved: $28,816

SugarWoodsFarm 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. ProjectSumary: 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

B.D. Custom Machining

Leroux Farm

For a full listing of approved EODp applications, visit http://bit.ly/1ClsFUCIt's not too late, applications for funding are still being accepted.

For more on our services visit www.frontenaccfdc.com

Spotlight On Business

Double S Sports & MarinaAt 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 cot-tage lake keeps Rose and Denis Bedard hopping dur-ing 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, on the shores of the tranquil bay on the first cool Septem-ber afternoon of the season, they reflected on the way their business has developed over the years.

“All summer we are busy serving customers at the store. It really is non-stop from mid-June, and then after Labour Day I begin repairing, winterizing and wrapping boats,” said Denis. That keeps him busy through October, and then hunting season brings business into mid-November.

When they got involved in boat repairs and winterizing, the Bedards looked to the Frontenac CFDC, which was in its infancy at the time, for financing to build a small ga-rage to do the work.

“I used to do it right next to the store,” Denis said, point-ing towards a small stretch of gravel between Road 509 and Palmerston Lake, “but if anyone came to say hello, we would be talking for an hour and it would be time for lunch. This way I have a quiet place to work, and a real shop to work in.”

In the spring of 2007, Rose and Denis brought an idea into reality when they organized a spring ATV run on the Crown land trails north of Ompah. They still had contacts in Calabogie, where they were living before they bought the marina, and the first run was a collaboration between a group in Calabogie and themselves, with the local com-munity stepping in to help, in a big way.

“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, and to raise money for the fire department,” said Rose.

So we went out and solicited sponsors in the ATV indus-try and others who saw the benefit of supporting a local event. The Ottawa Valley ATV Club was quick to jump on board and the fire auxiliary provided lots of help.

“We didn't know what to expect; 25 riders, 50 riders?” said Denis.

“Certainly not the 300 who came,” said Rose.A fall ATV run was added soon after and the runs have

become the busiest weekends the Ompah region has seen since the Ompah Stomp drew 10,000 country music fans it its heyday in the 1980s.

The most recent run, the 2016 Ride for Dad, took place on September 16 and drew over 535 participants. The spring runs regularly draw 850 bikes.

“The runs are pretty routine for us now,” Rose said. “We have at least 40 volunteers who really know what they are doing. The dinner is great, and some of the local artisans even show 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 Double S Sports - it promote ATV trail riding in North Frontenac.

“People come out to the run, where they don’t need to know much about the trail. They follow the signs; they fol-low the riders in front of them, and they get familiar with the trails. Then they feel comfortable coming back.”

ATV trail riders need to buy fuel and other things, and that keeps traffic flowing at Palmerston Lake during the fall and spring seasons.

“The winter snowmobile season depends on snow,” said Rose, “but if the snow isn't there sometimes the ATV sea-son can be extended.”

In order to keep up with the demand for fuel, and to avoid any potential environmental issues, the Bedards recently went back to the CFDC to help finance new above-ground fuel tanks for the marina.

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 inno-vative and building contacts with the local community.

Article by Jeff Green, The Frontenac News ■

Denis and Rose Bedard of Palmerston Lake Marina

North Frontenac Community Improvement plan

Corey Klatt is thrilled to advise that Council for the Town-ship of North Frontenac adopted a Community Improve-ment Plan (CIP) on March 18, 2016. The Community Im-provement Plan (CIP) may provide financial assistance to renovate or expand existing eligible businesses through-out North Frontenac Township via an application process. Grants are available to assist with projects falling within four areas:

1. Façade Improvement Program;2. Accessibility Enhancements;3. Commercial Space Funding;4. Municipal Fees Program.

Information on the CIP and applications forms are avail-able on the Township’s website at www.northfrontenac.com or at the Municipal Office, 6648 Road 506, Plevna. For further information contact Corey Klatt, Manager of Com-munity Development by phone at 613-479-2231 ext. 233 or by email at recreation@northfrontenac.ca. ■

Upcoming Workshops• Top Five Mistakes Start-Ups Make Oct 27, 2016 6 pm – 7 pm. This session is designed to 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, a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada. To register for this free workshop at the Frontenac CFDC office visit http://bit.ly/2bD5kap

• Understanding Financial StatementsNov 17, 2016 6pm -7pm. This workshop is designed to cover the basics around the terms and concepts of fi-nancial statements. Participants will learn to review and understand financials statements and be able to ask in-formed questions of financial professionals. This session will help participants understand: How’s the business do-ing? Did we make money this year? What does my Profit & Loss statement tell me? Why do I need a balance sheet? Where is my cash coming from? Where is my cash go-ing to? Presented by Lisa Knechtle-Jerkiewicz, a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada. To register for this free workshop at the Frontenac CFDC of-fice visit http://bit.ly/2bD6brF ■

EODp Approved projects continued

BackFortyArtisanCheese 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.

ProjectSummary: This project involves facility expansion and business efficiencies, tourist attraction opportunities and increased revenues. Amount Approved: $4,127Website: www.artisancheese.ca

CanadianEnvironmentalDrilling works with environmental consultants and engineering companies on a variety of differ-

ent projects, gathering geotechnical information throughout eastern Ontario. ProjectSummary: 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

ConboyFarmproduces 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

SilverbrookLandscaping&GardensEstablished 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.

ProjectSummary: Assisting with equipment purchase to reduce spoilage, increase revenues and business efficiencies. Amount Approved: $2,400

EasternOntarioTrailAllianceEOTA brings together people and groups who have an in-terest in developing a regional shared-use trail network.ProjectSummary:Upgrade and enhance the trails in Central and North Frontenac, to build a trailhead for recreational trail users at Ompah in order to ac-cess the trail network in North Frontenac Township.

Amount Approved: $12,000Website: www.thetrail.ca

CountyofLennox&AddingtonWith 3 partners forming the Food & Bever-age (FAB) Region this investment marketing initiative is aimed at attracting and growing small scale (artisanal) food and beverage businesses.

ProjectSummary: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 brew-ery sector and other food and beverage businesses. Amount Approved: $11,925Website: www.lennox-addington.on.ca

Congratulations continued from page 2and 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 Cor-poration 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 or-ders for 8” or 10” cakes, in mason jars or as mini cup-cakes. 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, Pol-ished 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.

Orrie Cumpson was raised at Sonset Farm, and in the early 1990s, he and his wife Andrea be-gan 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 mar-ket, 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 had 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

bread and pastries.With the help of the Frontenac CFDC, Sonset has re-

cently put in a storage bin and de-huller for spelt, which has allowed them to grow, harvest, de-hull and clean all of their spelt on site for the first time. This eliminates the need to send it off to a farm near Peterborough for cleaning and de-hulling.

“It saves transportation; keeps the entire production in our hands; and will create more opportunities for us to serve the growing local market for spelt four, rolled spelt, and spelt kernels” said Charlie Cumpson, Orrie and Andrea's son, who represents the third generation of Cumpsons running Sonset Farm.

Sonset Farm is also getting more heavily into rais-ing meat chickens, something that Charlie has been working on, and since 2011 Son-Ridge Stables, which

provides boarding and riding facilities for horses, has been part of the mix at Sonset. Charlie and Hailey, who is the main person at Son-Ridge, recently got married and in the spirit of the farm, the marriage took place in a spelt field.

One of the pleasant outcomes of all the work the work over they years creating healthy soil and making Sonset a fully integrated operation, was the fact that the farm withstood the historic dry weather of the summer bet-ter than the Cumpsons could have expected.

What's next for Sonset Farm? Although they have never grown wheat, they are look-

ing at Einkorn Wheat, an ancient variety, as a potential new crop.

Article by Jeff Green, The Frontenac News ■

For a free consultation, call 1-888-372-9962

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

Sonset Farm

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 grow-ing 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

Frontenac Agricultural News

Orrie Cumpson (centre), with his wife Andrea and son Charlie, of Sonset Farms.