We'll "meat" you in Grand Valley
December has arrived fast and furious, and with it, rising COVID-19 numbers and a new variant. But there's a lot of non-pandemic developments leading us toward the end of 2021 as well.
To name a few:
- The latest phase of inDufferin's Meat Processing Project includes its first public info "meating" on Dec 15 at 1pm in Grand Valley.
- Small businesses can be featured throughout the winter season in Dufferin's Local Gift Guide, a new way to put local products and services in front of consumers.
- There are some shiny new reports on the state of tourism for Indigenous tourism in Ontario, and within Canada's tourism industry.
Looking for a diversion? The Museum of Dufferin kicked off its Holiday Treasures on December 1, and runs until December 12, an ideal venue for business owners in search of unique holiday gifts for VIP clients. Time your shopping right, and Dufferin BOT will wrap the gifts for you in Shelburne for free. Wonder how you're going to fill the winter months? The Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario is seeking volunteers to serve on its Board of Directors for 2022.
Other must-reads this week:
- Province invests in Orangeville manufacturers
- 6 Tips to launch a "disconnect" policy now at work
- Explore the Indigenous food scene in Ontario with ORIGINS
Have feedback on our newsletter? Let us know by emailing us.
Happy reading,
  
Terrilyn Kunopaski, Karisa Downey & Britney Hope
Your Dufferin County Development & Tourism Team
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Join our Public Info "Meating"
Help us beef up Dufferin's local food economy in 2022!
This year, Dufferin County is embarking on its first-ever Meat Processing Project, designed to bring the county's farm-to-table system closer to home, with a facility made for producers, by producers.
To make the Dufferin Meat Processing Project happen, we need at least 50 local farmers to commit to utilizing and investing in the new facility before March 2022. Beef, Lamb and Pork producers of all scopes and sizes welcome.
The Dufferin Meat Processing Project is our answer to bringing meat processing closer to home, while cultivating a sustainable and thriving agricultural sector in the County.
Join us for our Public Info "Meating" on Wed, Dec 15 at 1pm Grand Valley and District Community Centre to learn more.
Visit here for more information, and spread the word!
After all, no one should have to leave the County just to bring home the bacon.
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Be featured in the Dufferin Local Gift Guide!
The winter season may mean shorter days, but it's also a time for holiday shopping, get-togethers and gift-giving. Dufferin County's Development & Tourism department is looking to boost awareness of local businesses, services and products to County shoppers with the Dufferin Local Gift Guide.
This virtual aspirational gift guide will live on @TourisminDufferin's Instagram page, spotlighting gift options catering to various interest groups. If a shopper sees something they like, contact and product info will be available in the Instagram caption so they may make a purchase with the business.
Don't have Instagram or a website? inDufferin's team is here to help! We want to make it easy for all business in Dufferin County to be featured in the Local Gift Guide, so reach out at 519.941.2816 x 2512 or bhope@dufferincounty.ca for info on how you can be included.
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Province invests in Orangeville manufacturers
The Ontario government is supporting an investment of more than $22.6 million by two Southwestern Ontario companies to help strengthen local manufacturing, create good jobs and attract investment to Orangeville and the surrounding region. The province is investing more than $3.2 million in the manufacturing sector through the Regional Development Program, which will help create 30 new jobs.
Orangeville businesses E. Hofmann Plastics Canada Inc. and Röchling Engineering Plastics Ltd. are among those benefitting from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, and anticipate the initiative to result in new jobs, revenue growth and improved capacity.
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Ontario attracting young people to skilled trades careers
Ontario is investing an additional $90 million over three years to further promote the skilled trades to young people.
This investment responds to the Apprenticeship Youth Advisors report, released November 24, which includes several recommendations to help solve the shortage of skilled workers Ontario is currently facing. The funding will help attract more students to rewarding and lucrative careers in the trades and ensure employers have the workers they need to grow their businesses and drive our economy.
By 2025, it is estimated that as many as one in five jobs in Ontario will be in the skilled trades, but the average age of people entering the trades is 29. At the same time, a third of tradespeople are nearing retirement, meaning the province is projected to face a shortfall of 100,000 construction workers over the decade.
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Let's talk hiring strategies
The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin is working to address the hiring crisis in the community.
In the second video of the series, Charlene Hofbauer gives business owners ways to re-think their recruitment and retention strategies to ensure their business -- and team members -- are able to survive and thrive.
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Free gift wrapping for your customers!
Make holiday shopping for your clients even easier this year, thanks to DufferinBOT. On December 11, shoppers can bring any locally purchased gifts to Meridian Credit Union in Orangeville or RLB LLP in Shelburne from 12noon – 3pm, and DufferinBOT Volunteers and staff will wrap the gifts for free!
Note: If the item requires a box, shoppers will need to bring one!
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Mental health = better business
Dufferin County recently wrapped up its mental health series, Stress, Survival & Showing Up, a series of events, workshops and resources designed to support business owners, agriculture professionals, and their teams amidst COVID-19.
The series is now available to watch on inDufferin's Youtube channel, offering Dufferin County business owners and agriculture professionals with trauma-informed, anti-oppressive supports and tangible tools to:
- Address and maintain one’s own mental health and wellness,
- Approach sensitive issues with employees at work,
- Lead teams of people with compassion and emotional intelligence,
- Understand employers’ legal obligations to accommodate mental health needs in the workplace, and
- Create a psychologically safe workspace.
A must-watch for anyone looking to improve their team leadership skills.
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Mental Resilience in Business
📅 Dec 17-Feb 18 📍 Online
Innovation Guelph is hosting a CEO-led series on new strategies for greater mental resilience in business. Listen to experienced leaders about how they overcame obstacles in their entrepreneurial journey.
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Action Planning Sessions
📅 Dec 3-14 📍 Online
Following the Local Labour Market Consultations, the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin is hosting Action Planning Sessions to determine what next steps can be taken to solve the region's challenges.
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Funding for meat processors
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) Ontario Meat Processors Stream announced a new application for meat processors that opened on November 19, 2021.
The CAP Ontario Meat Processors Stream supports provincially or federally licensed meat processors with equipment upgrades, to improve the productivity of operations overall.
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Call for Members!
The Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario is seeking volunteers to serve on its Board of Directors, which helps oversee and guide the organization in its mission to support farmers to build resilient ecological farms and grow a strong knowledge-sharing community.
EFAO is currently prioritizing applicants from BIPOC individuals, northern Ontario, and others from groups who have been underrepresented in the organization and systemically marginalized within the ecological farming movement at large.
To apply, submit your expression of interest by December 31, 2021. You may also attach a resume or other document in support of your application.
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Farmer-Led Research Workshops
📅 Dec 14, 1PM + 16 2PM
📍 Online
Join fellow farmers, farmer-researchers, and research staff to discuss your curiosities and research ideas for the 2022 season. Topics include soil health, reduced tillage, and pasture regeneration.
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Public Info "Meating"
📅 Dec 15, 1PM
📍 90 Main St N, Grand Valley
Dufferin County is embarking on its first-ever Meat Processing Project, designed to bring the county's farm-to-table system closer to home, with a facility made for producers, by producers.
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Communication & Screening
📅 Jan 18, 9AM 📍 Online
WSPS, in collaboration with OMAFRA, is offering an overview of policies & procedures for managing COVID-19 in your agri-food business.
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Disinfection & Reporting
📅 Jan 11, 9AM 📍 Online
WSPS, in collaboration with OMAFRA, is offering an online overview of procedures with focus on disinfection, & reporting COVID-19 in agri-food businesses.
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In case you missed it...
On November 24th, Dufferin County, along with Restaurants Canada, hosted a virtual Restaurant Roundtable for local stakeholders. James Rilett and Roberto Sarjoo of Restaurants Canada, in conversation with Terrilyn Kunopaski, Tourism Manager, Dufferin County, discussed financial supports, vaccine passports, workforce challenges, and mental health in the workplace as it relates to restauranteurs & their teams.
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Key Trends Shaping Canada's Tourism Sector
In November 2021, Destination Canada released a new report, Tourism’s Big Shift: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Canada’s Tourism Industry. The report identifies key trends expected to have the greatest impact on Canadian tourism in future, with forecasts calling for accelerated digitalization, labour and skills shortages, remote work and residential tourism.
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Impact Assessment: COVID-19 on Indigenous Tourism in Ontario
On November 30th, Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO) released new data revealing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Indigenous tourism industry in Ontario. This report paints a clearer picture of the expected recovery timeline to return to pre-pandemic economic numbers and describes the impact COVID-19 has had on jobs and the sector. The key findings? Indigenous tourism in Ontario is resilient, untapped potential.
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Building Inclusive Tourism
📅 Jan 12, 12PM 📍 Online
Join the Tourism Industry of Ontario for a webinar series focused on building inclusive tourism in the province's sector.
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Photo and Video Best Practices
📅 Dec 9, 10AM 📍 Online
The latest addition to the “Destination Ontario Presents” series exploring best practices for visual asset production.
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Tickets on sale: Holiday Treasures at the MoD
It's soon time for the 17th Annual Holiday Treasures Arts & Crafts Sale at the Museum of Dufferin, taking place December 1-12, 2021.
Click here for a list of vendors.
Free, timed-entry tickets are now available; tickets must be secured in order to attend the event. Browse the work of 58 vendors, makers and craftspersons in the Main Gallery. From jewellery, pottery and woodworking to one-of-a-kind textiles and art, this market is the perfect chance to pick up handmade gifts.
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Orangeville's Joy Book has launched!
Orangeville's holiday Joy Book launched on Fri, Nov 19th. This fun local holiday promotion allows shoppers to shop and collect stamps for every $10 spent at participating businesses for a chance to win big. There are $1500 in prizes to be won!
Businesses are encouraged to participate.
Email ambassador@dowtownorangeville.ca to sign up today.
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Get involved in Dufferin Days!
Dufferin Days is the Dufferin Board of Trade’s new shop local campaign supporting businesses across the county and encouraging consumers to think "local, think Dufferin."
With Dufferin Days, you can have free social media features, video opportunities, signage, promotion and more!
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ORIGINS Indigenous Food Series
See through the lens of Indigenous chefs while learning about their cultures, traditions, techniques & current challenges with ORIGINS, a new video series created by Indigenous Tourism Ontario in collaboration with The Royal Fair.
View the series here.
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Launch a "disconnect" policy now
If passed, the Working for Workers Act, 2021 would require employers with more than 25 employees to have a written policy limiting after-hours communication. Build your policy now with six considerations from WSPS.
Read the article
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