Hops growing on a standard trellis structure in Norfolk County.

Growing for new markets

Specialty crop production has many hurdles

Ontario produces a wide range of crops but that range could be even greater if farmers had access to more production information and markets.  Evan Elford, new crop development specialist […] Read more


Laurie Thatcher-Craig and John Craig in their hops yard.

Hopping mad

Why a move by Clearview Township to restrict some on-farm processing could have implications for value-adding across the province

Clearview Township hops grower says a bylaw passed earlier this year means it has fewer rights than apple and grape growers to market directly to consumers. The bylaw passed in […] Read more

Edgar Ramirez, of Pleasant Valley Hops, and Kris Mattucci of the OAFVC pour ground-up hops cones into a pelletizer.

The value of a local food incubator

Northumberland and area farmers have grown their businesses thanks to a multi-service food processing facility

When Northumberland County opened its Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre (OAFVC) in 2015, it didn’t know if the farmers who supported the concept in studies and surveys would use it. Three […] Read more

Jim Soetmans, left, Laura Soetmans, Mary Donkers and Joe Donkers are owners of Stonepicker Brewing near Forest.

On-farm breweries grow

A hobby has turned into a growing business for a couple of Lambton County farmers

You can’t mistake the fact you’re arriving at an on-farm brewery when you arrive at Stonepicker Brewing. There’s the McCormick Deering antique tractor at the end of the lane, the […] Read more