‘Currents: Greenbelt Edition’ tabloid

The Credit Valley Conservation Foundation is publishing a Greenbelt edition of its tabloid, Currents, to 650,000 residents. Eight articles highlight issues affecting the Greenbelt such as agricultural biodiversity, natural areas, providing clean water, and protecting the local watershed

St. Catharines, August 1, 2007 - The Grape Growers of Ontario together with the Niagara Wine Festival, Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and Scotiabank are pleased to announce that Canadian writer and broadcaster, Rex Murphy, will be the speaker at the Celebrity Luncheon which kicks off the 56th annual Niagara Wine Festival. The event will take place at Club Roma in St. Catharines on Wednesday, September 19th at 11:45am.

Toronto, July 31, 2007 − The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation is pleased to announce more than $3,260,000 in grants to agricultural and environmental organizations in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. “Just like kids’ passion for Harry Potter, we are seeing Ontarians’ passion for clean water, green spaces and local food,” says Burkhard Mausberg, President of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation. “A fine example of our passion is our commitment today to Greenbelt farmers to grant an additional $1 million to help them green farm operations through the Greenbelt Farm Stewardship Program.”

Greenbelt Foundation 2007 Awareness Research – 592 KB

2007 Environics public opinion polling research.

Creating Opportunities for Ethnic and Young Farmers in the Greenbelt – 670 KB

July 2007 Fifty-four per cent of Canada’s visible minority population resides in Ontario. This study explores the barriers that exist for ethnic farmers and interested young farmers to work the land, and to develop market opportunities for farmers in the Greenbelt. [The third installment in the Occasional Paper Series presented by theFriends of the Greenbelt Foundation.] "Planting the First Seed: Creating Opportunities for Ethnic and Young Farmers in the Greenbelt" by Stew Hilts, Peter Mitchell, Jennifer Asselin and Burkhard Mausberg. 

Greenbelt Walks: An Overview of the Opportunities and Challenges of Major Trails in the Greenbelt

Greenbelt Youth Forum and Bushel Basket of Change

“You may be a droplet of water in an ocean, but the ripple has to start somewhere.” – Youth forum participant

Aiming to engage youth in creating positive change that supports the Greenbelt in their communities, 4-H Ontario creates the Greenbelt Youth Forum to bring together youth from across the Greenbelt for an educational experience.

High school students in the Greenbelt Youth Forum gather annually at Camp Cedar Glen in Bolton, for a 3-day educational session. Joined by youth leaders from the “Leaders Today” program of Me to We, youth discuss the significance of the Greenbelt through workshops and field trips and are encouraged to create positive change within their communities that supports the Greenbelt. Students present what they learned at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Since 2005, organic farming and production in Ontario have grown by 1.6% and 8% respectively, In fact, Ontario houses 497 certified organic farmers, which is close to 14% of Canada’s organic farmers.

The Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) is an organization established in 1979 to promote the advancement and understanding of ecological agricultural methods.

The EFAO, recognizing an opportunity to enhance farmers’ profits while strengthening their commitment to the land through sustainable organic practice, ushers in an era of farmer-to-farmer training and support. This project encourages farmers in the Greenbelt to benefit from market trends, and focuses on current courses, workshops, farm tours, and a structured mentorship program, which allows established farmers to share their knowledge with newly interested organic farmers.

40,000 copies of the Eat Local Map were distributed in 2008, which now includes 65 Greenbelt and Hamilton area farmers.

Aiming to build a local food network in the City of Hamilton, Farm Fresh Hamilton expands supplies of local Greenbelt-grown foods into markets, business and schools in the area, and promotes the bounty of foods that the Greenbelt has to offer through communication materials.

The City of Hamilton is buzzing about local food as residents use the new Hamilton Eat Local Map to find farmers and products in their area, to fill their cupboards with fresh and prepared food from area farms. Even restaurants and stores find the maps handy and are adding locally-grown food items to their menus and shelves.

New Farmers to Grow - New Places to Go

MentorLINK is an exciting internship program being established to link up new farmer interns with professionals who can provide technical farming and business planning assistance.

Immigrants face many obstacles when attempting to become farmers, but a new initiative by the University of Guelph’s Centre for Land and Water Stewardship helps support and ease new farmers into successful farming relationships in Ontario.

The University of Guelph’s Centre for Land and Water Stewardship supports new farmers in the Greenbelt by offering multiple tours of the regions, successfully planting plots of 6 ethno-cultural crops, and providing training and resources to help new farmers onto their feet.