PTBO Regional Farmers Market Announces Winter Location In Peterborough Square

The Peterborough Regional Farmers Market, which launched at the outdoor Citi Centre, has found a winter home within Peterborough Square. The community can follow their favourite local farmers and market vendors inside for the winter months, from November to April, as the space is transformed into a vibrant and abundant farmers’ market.

“The owners of the mall are totally committed to welcoming the Farmers’ Market to their building," says Cheryl McQueen, Peterborough Square Manager. "They see it as a return to the roots of the Farmers’ Market in Peterborough.” (The original Farmers’ Market in Peterborough was held onsite in the Market Hall.) 

Photo courtesy DBIA

“The location is perfect for a market,” says Julie Fleming from Circle Organic Community Farm. “It’s central, accessible and familiar to everyone. I have taken my kids to movies at Galaxy Cinema and you use the same parking lot. Take the blue Galaxy Cinema doors upstairs from the parking garage, exit at the first level doors, and you’re right at the new Farmers’ Market."

“Parking is free on the weekends and because the parking lot is heated you can leave your winter coat in your car after you park to make your market experience even easier,” adds Fleming. 

The Peterborough Regional Farmers Market will continue at its summer home at Citi Centre until the end of October and then move to Peterborough Square for its winter location.

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Watch: Documentary On Oral History Of Peterborough Downtown Farmers' Market

The Downtown Farmers’ Market is proud to have been a producers only market since their inception 20 years ago.

Starting in 1996, this market was formed by a group of local farmers looking to set up a new, producers only market that would help them grow their businesses, build community, and offer customers a mid-week downtown location for purchasing fresh seasonal produce, local meats, cheeses, flowers and other local goods.

Shoppers can be sure they are buying local seasonal vegetables, flowers, meats, and cheeses from the farmers themselves, as well as wonderful baking, prepared lunches, crafts, coffee and drinks from the folks who made them.

To learn more about the history of the market and how it has helped local farms and businesses, check out this new documentary from local filmmaker Brian Mitolo...

An oral history of our local downtown farmers' market, as told by some of the farmers.

The market's 2017 season ends October 25th.

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Downtown Farmers' Market Celebrating Its 20th Anniversary With A Party

In 1996, the Peterborough Downtown Farmers' Market was formed by a group of local farmers' looking to set up a new, producers-only market that would help them grow their businesses, build community and offer customers a mid-week downtown location for purchasing fresh seasonal produce and local goods.

Two decades later, the vibrant market is still going strong. On Wednesday (August 16th), it will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a party.

Local Chef Lindsey Dupuis from Brio Gusto will cook up samples using market produce and products, and give you some ideas for using all this delicious abundance as it comes into season.

As well, live music will be provided to accompany the bustling backdrop of the farmers' market. There will also be a draw for a basket of market goods, kids activities and much more.

Head on down on August 16th, talk to the farmers and vendors about the history of the market, and help celebrate this impressive milestone.

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Opening Day For 2017 Peterborough Downtown Farmers' Market Is May 3rd

The Louis Street lot at Charlotte and Louis streets will soon be transformed into a bustling market, as the 20th season of the Peterborough Downtown Farmers’ Market kicks-off May 3rd at 8:30 a.m.

The market—which features the very best locally grown seasonal produce, delicious prepared foods and local artisans—runs every Wednesday (8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.) between May and October, and is a hit in downtown Peterborough. 
 

For more info on the market, go here.

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The Buck Family Wins 2016 Farm Family Of The Year

The Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture and the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce have announced the Buck family, of 1576 Centre Line, Norwood as the 2016 Farm Family of the Year.

Jim and Barb Buck have been farming for 42 years. Their 375-acre farm includes 35 head Black Angus beef cattle and 40 head replacement Holstein heifers. They also harvest hay for feed and several horse farms, soybeans, and mixed grain and/or wheat.

Barb and Jim Buck, their four daughters, and son-in-law: Front (L-R): Barb and Jim Buck; Back (L-R): Amanda Buck, Ashley Buck, Tim Haan, Jamie Buck, Julia Haan  

They raised four daughters—Julia, Amanda, Jamie, and Ashley—who provided tremendous help and support, and they are now proud grandparents to Madeline (Julia and Tim).

Over the years, the Bucks have earned numerous awards and recognitions, including the Peterborough County Agricultural Award, Peterborough County Plowman’s Award, Peterborough County Forage Master’s Award, 10-year 4-H Leader Pin/Award, and Holstein Canada 30-year Breeders Pin. They have also won several milk quality certificates.

Jim and Barb are active volunteers in the farming community. Jim is the secretary/treasurer of the Peterborough County Soil & Crop Improvement Association, past president of the East Central District SCIA, a 4-H Crops Leader, and chairman of the Heavy Horse Show & Field Crops Competition at the Norwood Fair. Barb is a member of the Norwood Fair Homecraft Division, past social convenor at Trinity United Church in Hastings, and past committee member of the Peterborough County Queen of the Furrow. 

The Bucks have been members of East Gen for 40 years.  They frequently donate baking and farm product for fundraisers by local community groups, including the 4-H Club, Lions Club, Trinity United Church and the Norwood Fair Board.

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The Bullocks Wins Peterborough County 2015 Farm Family Of The Year

The Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture and the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce announced that the Bullock family—owners of Cedarvilla Holsteins at 2334 Northeys Road in Lakefield—are the 2015 Farm Family of the Year.

The Bullock Family

Cedarvilla Holsteins is a second generation family farm. Randy and Tara Bullock started dairy farming together in 1999 with Randy’s parents, and took over a couple of years later. Now with the help of their three children—Lily, Aidan, and Liam—they run the 200 acre dairy farm and crop an additional 400 acres.

Randy and Lily

Randy and Tara are active volunteers in the farming community, and they are also involved in numerous other farm organizations and committees, as well as local community groups—including the Lakefield United Church and both Peterborough and Lakefield Minor Hockey.

In the past 5 years, the Bullock children have become increasingly involved in the daily operation of the farm. Lily milks the cows, registers all the calves on the farm, and looks after any applications for shows the farm attends. Aidan and Liam make all the feed during the evening chores, do much of the haying during the summer, and are extremely helpful with anything mechanical.

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Help The Casey Family Near Keene Recover After A Devastating Barn Fire

A huge fire tore through a large barn just west of Keene Sunday afternoon (October 18th), destroying the barn and all contents inside it. The barn is owned by the Casey family and was the home to three beautiful horses—Dallas, Texas and Nikki, who all survived thankfully.

Photo by PTBOCanada's Evan Holt

Family friend Kayla Spittal tells PTBOCanada that Danielle Casey is the owner of these horses, and that her father James owns the farm on County Rd 2.

Nikki

"With this tragedy comes very sad emotions," Kayla tells PTBOCanada. "Not only is it a family farm but Danielle and her deceased mother Cindy used to care for the animals. It was their mother-daughter time—cherished time together. When her mother passed, Danielle and her father James became the primary care givers for Dallas, Texas and Nikki."

Texas

Kayla is asking the community to pull together to help this family out.

"We are looking for donations or even just a loan of the items needed to help care for these animals," she tells PTBOCanada. "A few things that are needed to help are all types of brushes, lead chains, halters, saddles, outside blankets for under the saddles, salt blocks, hay, straw, grains, apples, mints, carrots, crunch—even down to some basic medications such as sprays for wounds to help with infections."

"Everything that these horses ever needed was inside that barn, as well as items that can never be replaced as they hold so much sentimental value," Kayla adds.

Dallas, Texas's mother

The family resides at 3043 County Rd 2 Keene—donations may be dropped off there. For more info on how to help, contact Kayla here.

Photo by PTBOCanada's Evan Holt

Here is video of the fire our Evan Holt captured...

Contact Kayla Spittal here if you want to donate to help this family.

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The Cavanaghs' Homestead Herefords In Ennismore Win 2014 Farm Family Of The Year

Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture and The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce have announced the 2014 Farm Family of the Year is the Cavanagh family, owners of Homestead Herefords at 200 Edenberry Line, Ennismore.

Some key facts about the farm

-> Homestead Herefords is a sixth generation family farm.
-> It was settled in 1854 and still remains on the original homestead.
-> The farm is currently operated by Dave and Fran Cavanagh, along with their two children, Danielle and Jordan.
-> Dave’s parents Gerard and Grace are still very much involved with the farm as well.
-> The farm currently runs 30 Purebred Hereford females which are shown quite heavily during the summer months across Ontario, with the family travelling about 12 weekends a year to shows. Their show season traditionally ends with the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. 
-> The Cavanagh family is fully committed to the long-term sustainability of the family farm and the cow calf industry in Ontario, promoting their cause at every opportunity.

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