This year, the intentional rural community called Dragonfly Farm marks its 30th anniversary. “Back to the Land 2.0” is a gathering celebrating this historic occasion and expanding on Dragonfly’s legacy.

At this gathering we’ll be reflecting on the ideals of the back-to-the-land movement of the 70s and 80s, and exploring how to make those ideals relevant and practical today.

Nature Stuff tours and things - a fascinating website run by local naturalist and teacher Terry Sprague.

The Hastings Prince Edward Land Trust (HPELT) is a group of people who is committed to protecting the natural and cultural heritage features of our region.

The mission is “to facilitate the protection, in perpetuity, of the important natural and cultural heritage features of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.”

Peter Webster has been hired to improve communications and to help with fund raising.

HPELT congratulate Baptiste Lake Association in North Hastings for undertaking a lake stewardship plan to provide long term protection of this beautiful part of Hastings County’s natural heritage.

The HPELT hope this success will be repeated on our other lakes where cottages have demonstrated their interest in and commitment to stewardship of water quality and wildlife habitat.

Tweed and Area Arts Council has acquired Actinolite United Church for a local centre for the arts.. The church is a landmark building in Actinolite, constructed in 1860s from locally quarried stone. It is encouraging to see such a beautiful example of our local architecture an cultural heritage reborn for a new community use.

Harvestin’ the County is a program designed to support and show appreciation for our farmers and agricultural community. We are inviting you, residents and visitors alike, to show your support by buying as much locally grown produce as possible throughout the year.

Quinte Conservation, one of Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities, is a community based environmental protection agency. Located in eastern Ontario, Quinte Conservation provides cost-effective environmental expertise and leadership that develops and delivers programs to ensure the healthy coexistence between the community, its environment and its economy.

Welcome to Ontario Stewardship! The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’ Ontario Stewardship program is a community-based initiative that brings together landowners, associations, resource agencies and individuals who share an interest in responsible land care and sustainable resource use. The program advocates stewardship as a tool for land management.

The Great Toronto Agricultural Action Committee aim to promote a vibrant farm sector and encouraging people to buy their food locally. Farm fresh, pick your own and farmers’ markets are accessible throughout the GTA.

The Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) is a grassroots organization that provides leadership to cattlemen from all sectors of the industry. The OCA promotes Ontario beef cattle production through policy planning, government lobbying, industry development programs, research, and communications along with the promotion and advertisement of beef. OCA also provides services to cattlemen in domestic and export market development and market pricing co-ordination and reporting.

Here are details about the Hastings Cattlemen’s Association.

Look for Foodland Ontario and the Foodland Ontario symbol when you’re shopping. It’s an easy way for you to identify Ontario foods in grocery stores and farmers’ markets, and a great way to ensure that you pick Ontario freshness.

There is lots of information about what is grown in Ontario, how it is grown, its nutritional value and advice and recipes.

You can find information about availability of Ontario produce.

Hastings County is the second largest county in Ontario. As well, it is the second longest stretching almost one hundred and sixty kilometres from north to south. This vast area encompasses a variety of terrains which have impacted settlement patterns. The northern two-thirds of the county is covered by the ancient rocks of the Canadian Shield. As a result, the settlement is sparsely settled. The southern third portion is located in part of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Lowlands. This is the site of most towns and farming developments. An escarpment passing through Hungerford, Huntingdon, Rawdon, and Marmora townships marks the southern limit of the Canadian Shield.

Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) is a not-for-profit organization working in the Appalachian region of Virginia and Tennessee. Formed in 1995, ASD focuses on developing healthy, diverse and ecologically sound economic opportunities through education and training, and the development of cooperative networks and marketing systems. Our work encompasses two broad areas: Building a strong local food system based on organic and sustainable farming and fostering forest conservation through value-added wood processing and “green building.” ASD links consumers with farmers and producers and provides hands-on opportunities for learning, advocacy and civic engagement.

We envision a future in which the natural quality and great diversity of our forests, land and waterways are protected through an economic life greatly diversified and locally controlled. We envision an economic life that respects the connectedness of the human and natural communities and a system in which economic decision-making is more inclusive, democratic and effective. We envision more meaningful work opportunities created through a fuller, sustainable use of our productive resources. And, we envision a renewed commitment to act responsibly towards people, community, cultures and the earth.

For the first time in generations, more people are moving to the countryside than are leaving, chicken keeping is the UK’s fastest-growing hobby and for many self-sufficiency is no longer a pipe dream. Louise France meets four families who’ve gone in search of the good life

Glynwood Center helps communities address change in ways that conserve local culture and natural resources while strengthening economic well-being.. One of the most daunting challenges confronting many communities is sustaining local agriculture. We have increased our focus on agricultural issues to bring our resources and experience to bear on this complex set of issues. Glynwood itself – with its 225-acre farm, landscape and conference facility – is at the heart of our work. Located just 60 miles north of New York City in the Hudson Valley, it affords us the base from which we can do, learn and share with others.

The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) is a non-profit trade association that promotes the appropriate development and application of all aspects of wind energy in Canada, including the creation of a suitable policy environment.

Sustainable Northwest helps people and communities restore and maintain ecological health, balance diverse interests, and promote economic opportunities. We’re headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Through collaboration, we bridge rural and urban interests, encourage entrepreneurship, and build trust in sustainable natural resource management and utilization in the western U.S.

We need safe, reliable sources of drinking water - now and in the future. Our drinking water comes from lakes, rivers, streams or underground sources. Under the Clean Water Act, each region in Ontario will produce a local, science–based plan to protect sources of municipal drinking water. The Quinte Region, with 117,000 people living in 18 municipalities includes the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers and all of Prince Edward County.

The Sisters of Providence in Kinston have an heirloom seed sanctuary. An heirloom seed is seed treasured by people who love the names, history, flavour, fragrance and feel of what plants share with them. Saved seeds often become best friends, part of the family. The purpose is to preserve open-pollinated seed so that it may be saved; and to grow, harvest, sort and store seed as organically as possible at Heathfield.

The Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario was established in 1979 with the purpose: To develop and provide programs promoting the practice and advancement of ecological agriculture which maintains and enhances the health of the soil, water, crops, livestock and the diversity of the environment.

To educate and increase the public’s understanding of ecological agricultural methods like soil tillage, green manures, cover crops, composting, crop rotations, soil erosion control, and conservation practices by offering courses, seminars, conferences, farm tours, meetings, and publishing a newsletter and by collecting, researching, and disseminating information on this topic to the general public.

To bring together people who are concerned about ecological agriculture so they can share experiences, support each other and create community.

Activities: Conferences, Courses and workshops on ecological farming methods Farm tours, Newsletters, Farm consulting, Seed and stock exchange, Information source for Community Shared Agriculture and Good Fellowship

Ontario Soil and Crop Association: To communicate and facilitate responsible, economic management of soil, water, air and crops.

The Environmental Farm Plan (EFP), now in its third edition, continues to be popular with the Ontario agricultural community.

Food for Learning is a project of the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board Learning Foundation. It is a School Nutrition Program aimed at providing nutritious food for students.

The Farm Start mission is to facilitate, support and encourage a new generation of farmers to develop economically viable, locally based, and ecological agricultural enterprises.

FarmStart is a not-for-profit organization working toward increasing the presence of young and new farmers, operating their own farm enterprises, within the agriculture community. By combining the facilitation of unique programs and resources, building partnerships and networks, supporting community capacity and linking farmers with existing programs and resources administered by other organizations, our goals are to: Support a new generation of farmers; Promote sustainable business models; Coordinate and communicate innovative, new and local market research; Develop farm facilities, resources and linkages important to new and young farmers; Develop effective land tenure and stewardship arrangements

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is a farmer-lead dynamic provincial lobby which works to represent the interests of its farm members to government.

As the largest, voluntary general farm organization in the country, OFA has more than 38,000 members, as well as 32 organizational members and affiliates representing most agricultural commodity groups.

Today the OFA continues to work hard to ensure that all levels of government hear Ontario farmers’ concerns. With 52 County and regional federations providing strong, local leadership, and 32 organizational members and affiliates the OFA is leading the way into the new m

Carlo Petrini founded Slow Food in 1986 and Slow Food became an international association in 1989. It now boasts 85 000 members, offices (in order of creation) in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, USA, France, Japan and the United Kingdom and supporters in 130 countries.

Slow Food believes in recognizing the importance of pleasure connected to food. We should learn to enjoy the vast range of recipes and flavors, recognize the variety of places and people growing and producing food. We should respect the rhythms of the seasons and conviviality. But the recipe developed by Carlo Petrini and other Slow Food members proposes to add a new sense of responsibility to the search for pleasure, which we all have a right to enjoy. Slow Food has called this approach ecogastronomy. It is an attitude that combines a respect and interest in ecogastronomic culture with support for those battling to defend food and agricultural biodiversity around the world.

Slow Food stresses the need for taste education as the best defense against poor quality and food adulteration. It is the main way to combat the incursion of fast food into our diets. It helps to safeguard local cuisines, traditional products, vegetable and animal species at risk of extinction. It supports a new model of agriculture, which is less intensive and healthier, founded on the knowledge and know-how of local communities. This is the only type of agriculture able to offer prospects for development to the poorest regions on our planet.

For these reasons Slow Food is committed to safeguarding foods, raw materials and traditional methods of cultivation and transformation. It seeks to defend the biodiversity of cultivated and wild varieties and protect convivial places which form a part of cultural heritage because of to their historic, artistic or social value.

Roots & Shoots is the Jane Goodall Institute’s international environmental and humanitarian program for youth of all ages. The program started by Dr. Jane Goodall is about making positive change happen—for our communities, for animals and for the environment. With tens of thousands of young people in almost 100 countries, the Roots & Shoots network connects youth of all ages who share a desire to create a better world. Young people identify problems in their communities and take action. Through service projects, youth-led campaigns and an interactive website, Roots & Shoots members are making a difference across the globe.

The missions is to foster respect and compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs and to inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for people, animals and the environment.

UK site all about self-sufficiency, food integrity, and the consumption of local, seasonal produce. Hello and welcome to Rivercottage.net, a website about food, where it comes from, and why that matters.

I‘m Hugh Fearnley–Whittingstall, and to begin with, this might look a bit like “my” website – but with your help, we have already started to change that! I have strong opinions about food, and here they are, sprinkled liberally all over the site. But when you‘ve had a good rummage, I‘d really like to know what you think. So please use the Have Your Say bulletin board, tell me what you think matters, and help make this the best food website on the planet… It is going to be another exciting year – to be kept up to date on new events, courses and products – or just to find out what we are up to! – sign up for our monthly newsletter. All the best,

Hugh

Founded in 2005 by Chairman Sonja Bata, O.C., the Batawa Development Corporation holds over 1,500 acres of land in and around the beautiful community of Batawa. General Manager Heather Candler oversees community development activites and welcomes development inquiries. Residential, commercial and light industrial development opportunities as well as live/work opportunities form a part of the master town plan now in development.

The mission of the BDC is to strategically develop some of the Batawa Development Corporation’s land for the benefit of all of Quinte West using a patient and long term community partnership approach and sustainable development practices.

By joining hands, our community has the unprecedented opportunity to design and build an exceptional rural community that is unique in Canada. The Batawa Development Corporation will build upon the rich history and strong community spirit of Batawa to achieve excellence in town planning and community development.

The Central Ontario Cheesemakers Association was incorporated as a non-profit organization on August 29, 1928. The Association was founded to provide an opportunity for Cheesemakers to share knowledge and techniques, in a foundling Canadian industry. The Association established the British Empire Cheese Competition, which gave Cheesemakers the opportunity to compete with others around the British Empire and win bragging rights.

The Pembina Institute envisions a world in which our immediate and future needs are met in a manner that protects the earth’s living systems; ensures clean air, land and water; prevents dangerous climate change, and provides for a safe and just global community.

Our Mission is to advance sustainable energy solutions through innovative research, education, consulting and advocacy.

OHCC is an incorporated registered charity, whose mission is”to work with the diverse communities of Ontario to strengthen their social, environmental and economic well-being”.

Our Mission: Working together to increase awareness of the agri-food industry by providing educational programs and resources.

Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. (OAFE) is a registered charity incorporated under the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. OAFE was created in 1991 with the mission of building awareness and understanding of the importance of an agriculture and food system.

About Us The Organic Council / Le Conseil Biologique de l’Ontario is a membership-based non-profit association representing the organic sector in Ontario at a provincial and national level. The Organic Council of Ontario represents all groups (including producers, processors, marketers, retailers, restaurants, suppliers, distributors, certifiers and others), providing leadership and supporting the continued growth of the Ontario organic sector.

We are the marketing group for the largest sector of Ontario agriculture and are proudly owned and operated by Ontario’s Dairy Farmers.

Trees and the environment Trees are a distinct part of habitat biodiversity. They sustain vibrant ecosystems that support wildlife populations and contribute significantly to bird, animal, plant, and insect diversity.

Our certified farmers’ market concept offers local Ontario producers easy access to an urban, diverse marketplace and a level playing field, where resellers are neither welcome nor permitted.

You are an integral part of nature; your fate is tightly linked with biodiversity, the huge variety of other animals and plants, the places they live and their surrounding environments, all over the world. You rely on this diversity of life to provide you with the food, fuel, medicine and other essentials you simply cannot live without. Yet this rich diversity is being lost at a greatly accelerated rate because of human activities. This impoverishes us all and weakens the ability of the living systems, on which we depend, to resist growing threats such as climate change. The United Nations proclaimed 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity, and people all over the world are working to safeguard this irreplaceable natural wealth and reduce biodiversity loss. This is vital for current and future human wellbeing. We need to do more. Now is the time to act.