• Tax Free Savings Accounts • Mutual Funds • RRSPs • GICs • CSBs • RRIFs & LIF • Annuities • Mortgages • Life, Long Term Care, Critical Illness & 30 Norfolk St S, Simcoe Greg Harvey CFP, EPC, RRC 519-428-9831 Disability Insurance • Pension & Group Benefits Simcoe 519-428-9831 NORFOLK PEACHES SILICON VALLEY BRING HIGH PRAISE 4 OF AGRICULTURE 6 NORFOLK COUNTY - ONTARIO’S GARDEN FALL 2017 AG AWARENESS CONNECTING WITH THE AG COMMUNITY BUS.: (519) 582-1023 CELL: (519) 427-4820 CELL LTD.LTD. 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Another showcase of local agriculture is the Norfolk County Fair held earlier this month. Ontario’s fourth largest fair attracted well over 100,000 people and exposed them to the wide array of crops and products produced locally. One of the unique features of the fair is the Ag Awareness program aimed at young students. About 1,400 Grade 6 students took part in the event. This edition of Norfolk Farms contains something for almost everyone, including a story on a local quilting guild. Norfolk Farms is the only publication solely devoted to the local agricultural sector. We encourage feedback and story suggestions from a joint effort our readers. Look for future editions in February, April, June and October, 2018. Norfolk Federation of Agriculture Bob Vogelzang, President and SOLID WASTE TRANSFER STATION Media Pro Publishing Open to the Public Member of Ontario Federation of Agriculture SERVICES LIMITED David Douglas, Publisher RENT A BIN! PO Box 367 Consider us when moving, cleaning out Waterford N0E 1Y0 garages & basements, during home [email protected] renovations or roofing. http://MediaProPublishing.com 519-429-0847 Simcoe Research Station / University of Guelph / OMFRA SHREDDING SERVICES Mobile or onsite Norfolk County Tourism & Economic Development destruction of Websites: norfolkbusiness.ca / norfolktourism.ca confidential documents and Serving the media files Norfolk Ontario’s Garden Available Bin Sizes areas of Norfolk, 6 Cubic yard 6 x 5’6” x 5 ft. www.norfolkdisposalshredding.ca Haldimand, 10 Cubic yard 10 ft. x 7 ft. x 4 ft. Oxford, Brant 16 Cubic yard 16 ft. x 7 ft. x 4 ft. WE & East Elgin 20 Cubic yard 20 ft. x 7 ft. x 4 ft. Counties 30 Cubic yard 20 ft. x 7 ft. x 5 ft. ALSO 40 Cubic yard 20 ft. x 7 ft. x 7 ft. ACCEPT $12.00 MINIMUM includes tax (disposal of up to 110 Kg) Loads in “E-Waste” excess of 110 kg will be charged at $ 85.00 per tonne. Conveniently located at 811 Old Highway 24 in Waterford 519-443-8022 (across from the Esso Station) Hours of operation- 1-800-616-0347 Monday to Thursday 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM www.norfolkdisposal.ca Saturday 8:00 AM-12:00 Noon Authority in refrigeration for Food Processing and agricultural industry Made in North America Plug anD Play •custOM Designs •hyDrOcOOlers •thru-the-wall •blast Freezers •rOOF-MOunteD •chillers •POrtable •greenhOuse cOOlers 1.866.748.7786 One Piece Design Free cOOling 120681_Norfolk_Farms_Fall2017.indd 3 17-10-19 3:19 PM 4 - NORFOLK FARMS - October 2017 a Peachy SITUATION Peaches are a historic, and contemporary, niche market crop in Norfolk County. Peaches and some other tender fruits have been grown in Norfolk dating back into the early 1900s. Several families have been at the heart of peach growing in the county, including the Hasketts, Chadwicks, Sowdens, McClungs and Matzs. When Tom Haskett, present owner of T and J Haskett Farms, purchased the family farm in 1966, it included two to three acres of peaches his grandfather had planted. “I had grown up around them and was always interested in tender fruit,” he said. At the time Haskett bought the farm, Grant Fox was the big peach grower in southern Ontario and one of his orchards was available. Haskett made a deal to lease one of Fox’s orchards and to learn more about tender fruit. Then he planted his own orchard, and has continued to since then. In Norfolk County, peaches are near the northern limit of their Tom Haskett, owner of T and J Haskett Farms. range. This means Haskett must be selective of where he plants Retractable Systems Insect/Bird Structures Drip & Solid Set Irrigation Systems Hail/Shade Structures Vineyard Netting Drip Irrigation, Mulch and Tunnel Plastic Frost Protection in Ginseng GINTEC SHADE TECHNOLOGIES INC. 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Gintec Shade Categories Nurseries • Ginseng • Grapes • Tender Fruit • Greenhouses • Strawberries • Sweet Corn • Ice Wine Gintec Shade Products Woven • Knits • Netting • Ground Cover • Frost Blanket • Frost Cover • Thermal Screens • Insect Screens • Wood Structure Steel Structure • Hardware Call us at 1-877-443-4743 or email us at [email protected] Knitted Shade Cloth and Crop Protection Products 120681_Norfolk_Farms_Fall2017.indd 4 17-10-19 12:07 PM NORFOLK FARMS - October 2017 - 5 within his farm, selecting not only well-drained The result is a peach with more flavor than sites with lighter soil but also higher land as those that sit in cold storage. Haskett said it can be a degree or two warmer which can they have customers who drive for miles for make a difference in winter survival of the their peaches, telling them they have more trees or rather a tree produces a crop the flavor. following spring. Although peaches are only produced for Still, Haskett says particular trees only fresh sales now, at one time there was a produce a crop five to six years of every 10. local cannery industry. But, the government Growing peaches is also a process allowed the industry to move to the United of continual tree renewal. If Haskett has States. five acres producing, he has two acres in “The government actually paid growers to renewal. It takes a tree as long as four years take those trees out of the ground,” Haskett before it produces its first crop. said. “Otherwise there would be a cannery industry with peaches.” Today, peaches are a small percentage of “Most fruit in Niagara the crops grown on the acreage Haskett has isn’t allowed to ripen in production. Different varieties allow fresh peaches from mid-July to mid-September. on the tree. Because we Other crops include: nectarines, apricots, are closer to the market strawberries, tomatoes, pumpkins, squash and, of course, apples. we can allow it to ripen “It’s not a mainstream business for us, but on the tree.” a necessary part of the business in the fruits we offer,” he said. The main market for Haskett’s peaches is at the Cider Keg, which is another family business, and other farm markets in the county. “This allows us to leave the fruit on the tree a few days longer and it plumps out on the tree,” he said. “Most fruit in Niagara isn’t allowed to ripen on the tree. Because we are closer to the market we can allow it to ripen on the tree.” Townsend Mutual Insurance TOP NOTCHprotecting SERVICE farms of Norfolk County since 1879. Call or text Aaron today for a quote Top Notch Service with a Farm Package tailored for your personal needs. Aaron Miedema, Agent cell: 905-741-6392 Send us your comments... make suggestions for stories or pictures. 780 Old Highway 24, Waterford, ON N0E 1Y0 BUS: 519-443-7231 • CELL: 905-741-6392 • FAX: 519-443-5198 [email protected] www.townsendmutual.com 120681_Norfolk_Farms_Fall2017.indd 5 17-10-19 12:07 PM 6 - NORFOLK FARMS - October 2017 Silicon Valley OF AGRICULTURE Norfolk County is positioned established their campus in to become the “Silicon Valley Simcoe in the early 70s named of agriculture” says the chair of after James N.