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The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry are located in eastern Ontario, along the St. Lawrence River with a population of nearly 115,000. The region is rich in history, dating back to the founding of the province of Ontario, and continues to maintain a small-town, rural feel, with access to larger amenities in the City of Cornwall, with Montreal and Ottawa nearby as well.
There are many opportunities for agriculture, with new markets including biofuels as well as tapping into markets that add value to current farming operations. The planning of the Counties and surrounding cities continue to foster economic growth and agricultural diversity. There has been a higher demand in the food and beverage industry, with a focus on local markets that have created new markets for producers. Additionally, the region is near many larger cities that allow farmers various opportunities to connect to consumers within a 1-hour radius. The region is considered humid, with few droughts over the summer, which bodes well for agricultural growth and livestock. The soil is fertile and versatile for growing a variety of crops.
In addition to farmers’ markets within the region, as well as in the nearby larger markets of Ottawa and Montreal, consumers can purchase their produce and farm products online through the Eastern Ontario Local Food Portal. This is a fantastic opportunity for consumers to support the local economy, as well as producers to gain more visibility through the organization’s established marketing presence. Here, consumers can also find food tours that highlight the region further. Check out the farmers’ markets in the region for some examples of year-round and seasonal farmers’ markets below:
- Cornwall Waterfront Farmers’ Market, Cornwall
- Alexandria Farmers’ Market, Alexandria
- Maxville Farmers’ Market, Maxville
There are reliable resources for your big or small animals and concerns within the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry region. In case further supports are required, there are additional services in proximity to Ottawa. You and your farm will be well taken care of with years of expertise in your area with a variety of veterinary clinics nearby. See below for a list of the veterinary clinics and hospitals in the area:
- Dundas Veterinary Services, Winchester
- Cornwall Veterinary Services, Cornwall
- Maxville Veterinary Clinic, Maxville
There are primarily local, small businesses that service the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry area’s demand for agricultural supplies. With proximity to Ottawa and the local support in the area, you’ll be able to maintain and set your farm up for success! Whether you’re looking for feed suppliers, tools, heavy-duty farm equipment, or service, you’ll find it here. See below for a few great shops to get you started:
- Dundas Agri-Systems Inc., Brinston
- Allison Feed & Farm Depot Ltd., Winchester Springs
- Maxville Farm Machinery Ltd., Maxville
- Byers Farm Equipment, Chesterville
There are some auction services throughout the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry area, with more options and additional services for agricultural specific auctions in the surrounding area including Ottawa. Nonetheless, you’ll find a great deal close to home! See the list below to check out a few of the auctions in the region:
- Peter Ross Auction Services, Ingleside
- Lyndon Marshall Auction Services, Spencerville
- Hands Auction Services Ltd., Brockville
- Located on the St. Lawrence River in Eastern Ontario, Cornwall has a population of over 46,000.
Transportation
o Public transit bus routes throughout the Cornwall area
- Cornwall to Ottawa – 105 km
- Cornwall to Montreal – 113 km
- Cornwall to Toronto – 437 km
Agriculture has a long history throughout the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry region, with reported revenues in 2011 nearly reaching $379 million, there are 1,577 farms spanning an area of 144,780 hectares of farmland in use. While there has been a decrease in operating farms, there is an increase in farm size. The primary farming within the region includes field crops such as corn and soy that made up almost 70% of crop acreage in the same year, with cattle and beef, dairy following suit. There has been a decline in dairy farms, with dairy alternatives on the rise, but an increase in production, with the operations in the SDG region, is nearly 3 times larger than in other Ontario regions. Additionally, the region produces poultry and eggs, however, this is a smaller portion of the market.
The beverage sector has increased the demand for the product for both beer and wine. With the surge of craft brewers within the area, there has been a demand for local hops production since 2007. Previously, brewers would import hops and have recently shifted to purchasing domestic hops. Additionally, the development of cold-weather hybrid grapes has allowed the region to produce grapes that can survive winter temperatures. While most vineyards are located in the Niagara region, there are currently 15 vineyards found in eastern Ontario. There are few fruit, tree nut, vegetable, melon, and hog farms within the region.
The Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry regions each host their farmer-led organization, with a variety of supports and networks. The Stormont Federation of Agriculture, the Dundas Federation of Agriculture, and the Glengarry Federation of Agriculture facilitate the interests, concerns, and opinions of local farm families to improve the agricultural sector on a local level, as well as provincially in conjunction with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
With the agricultural sector so vital in the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry region, many farms already incorporate conservation practices, including crop rotations, windbreaks, and shelterbelts, buffer zones around bodies of water, along with winter cover crops. These practices allow landowners to protect and preserve their farmland from erosion and continue to work with healthy, nutrient-rich soil today as well as in the future.
Additionally, there are many nature reserves and conservation areas that protect the land and water sources throughout the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry area. Gray’s Creek Conservation Area and the Raisin Region Conservation Authority monitor watershed, provide educational programs and preserve wildlife habitats, trees, and land for our generation to enjoy, as well as generations to come. There are ample activities for residents and visitors to experience the natural, beautiful landscapes in close proximity to Cornwall.
The soil profiles are very similar to one another in each county, with some poor draining, but most well-draining regions as well. Farming on till makes for good soil, but finding lime may affect drainage. Within the Stormont region, outwash, lacustrine, glacio-fluvial, glacial till, alluvial, and organic soil is found. Many of these compositions are well-draining and fertile. Additionally, the Dundas region is made up of loamy limestone till, clayey till, sands, clay loam, lacustrine clay, and much. Crops grown in sandy loam do have a lower average yield, nonetheless, this region is ideal for general agriculture, including grazing and natural pastures as well as dairy farming. Within the Glengarry region, till, gravel, coarse and fine sand, lacustrine clay and silt, muck, and organic soils are found. It is vital to protect and preserve farmland to maintain good soil health.
The weather in the Stormont Dundas and Glengarry region is comfortable, with winter temperatures averaging around -14°C, rarely getting colder than -25°C. Summer temperatures average around 27°C, rarely surpassing 31°C. The average rainfall for the area ranges between 12 mm to 82 mm month over month, with an average snowfall of 262 mm in December. The longest days have roughly 15 hours 37 minutes of sunshine, with the shortest days welcoming 8 hours and 46 minutes of daylight in the winter.
There are an estimated 5 months of the growing season from May 6 to October 6 annually.
With the region located on the St. Lawrence River as well as St. Lawrence Lake, water is very accessible to residents. Some of the water is managed by the municipalities that are tested often. The Cornwall water system has received 12 consecutive ratings of 100% compliance. Additionally, water is supplied to residents via private wells that require regular testing as well.
The air quality within the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry region is rated as good.
The largest variety of animals and insects found in the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry region are found in the numerous conservation areas and authorities. Notably, fishers, coyotes, osprey, and moose are found within the area. Additionally, white-tailed deer, squirrels, frogs, blackbirds, and red foxes can be seen here. Pollinators such as bees, moths, and butterflies call this area home as well. Fish found in the St. Lawrence River include yellow perch, bass, pike, muskie, carp, and walleye.
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