For Immediate Release
June 30, 2006
Finding Food & Fun on the Farm
It’s going to be easier to return to our rural roots for food and fun. The general public and tourists are invited to visit Lambton County’s farms and they can find their way using the new map of farm markets created by the Lambton Federation of Agriculture (LFA) and several other local partners.
The map was launched recently at a barbecue and strawberry social hosted by the LFA in Petrolia. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs Bryan Boyle chaired the event, calling upon LFA President Debbie Coke who thanked all participants. Funding for the project was contributed by Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation, the County of Lambton and their Health Services Department, the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce, as well as the municipalities Brooke-Alvinston, Enniskillen, St. Clair and Lambton Shores. Tourism Sarnia-Lambton is assisting in the distribution of the maps.
The map not only shows locations of farm markets, but farmers who sell products straight to the consumer. There are 50 numbered red dots on the map, with full information about each spot on the flip side. Products include fruits, vegetables, poultry & meats, herbs, maple syrup, honey, cider, and baked goods. As well as the edibles, there are locations for alpaca farms, yarns, flowers & greenhouses, rustic twig furniture, camps, petting zoos, corn mazes and bed & breakfast homes.
Both tourists and local residents will find the map useful, and to assist them as they travel the back roads, there will be signs featuring the same “Locally Lambton” logo that appears on the map at all the participating farmers’ gates. Those involved hope to move forward with a promotional program, creating a recognizable brand called “Locally Lambton” for farm products.
“We are very pleased to be a part of this committee producing the map,” said Community Economic Development Officer Mary Alderson of Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation (SLBDC). “The map will certainly be beneficial in promoting on-farm sales, and encouraging the public and tourists to shop locally. This will benefit rural Lambton’s economy,” she adds.
SLBDC General Manager Mike McDonough said that his organization is very pleased to invest in this exciting community economic development project. “The Farm Markets Map will support business development and job creation throughout rural Lambton County. All of the participating farmers and partners should be very proud of the final product,” he added.
Enniskillen resident Ryan Stokes, of Stokes Advertising & Promotions created the map’s design. Printed on high-quality glossy paper, the map features an array of colourful photos depicting fruits, vegetables and other farm scenes.
To obtain copies of the map, contact LFA Secretary Brenda Miner at 519-828-5028.
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For more information, contact:
Mary Alderson, B.A., M.A.
Community Economic Development (CED) Officer
Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation
The Business Centre
109 Durand Street (at Christina Street)
Sarnia, Ontario N7T 5A1
Phone: (519) 383-1371 or 1-800-263-7047
Fax: (519) 383-8115
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.slbdc.com
A Community Futures Development Corporation
“In Business for Small Business”
