Everyone want to go green. But getting there isn’t always easy. That’s where we come in. Green Communities Canada is a national association of community organizations working with homeowners, businesses, governments and communities to reduce our impact on the environment.

For an average 2000 sq ft Canadian home, the average monthly electrical bill $142 (based on household average monthly usage of 1000Kw) (This does not including electrically heated homes). Ontario Energy Board prices.

The average annual heating cost  with natural gas is $1100/year; with oil $3700/year ; with propane $4200/yearand  with an electric furnace or baseboard $3300/year.

You can monitor your electricity usage with a plug load monitor. Inexpensive plug in monitor to find out individual device electrical use

Buy energy efficient appliances -check the Energy Star rating.

For lighting use compact fluorescent- LED (they cost more but lasts a long time)  

How about a solar clothes dryer? – use a clothesline and do laundry in cold water.

Ceiling fans to circulate air.

Time of use: depending on time of year, electricity costs are lower at certain times of the day. These times change twice a year.

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) regulates the province's electricity and natural gas sectors in the public interest.

The Board envisions a viable and efficient energy sector with informed consumers, and works towards this vision through regulation that is effective, fair and transparent.

One can get information about the pricing of hydro and natural gas,

The Bancroft Area Forest Industry Association (BAFIA) members are typically small, family owned and operated forest practitioners ranging from loggers, sawmill operators, forest technicians, woodlot owners and managers. The geographic area of the Association and the majority of its members are defined as those lands that fall between Madoc north to Whitney and Denbigh west to Apsley in the province of Ontario, Canada.

Our mission statement is “to promote and sustain the forest industry in the Bancroft area”. We believe that sustainable forestry practices are necessary in this day and age. It is both good for the environment and business.

As a group we gather every month to voice our concerns and develop action plans to confront the issues facing our industry today.

Forestinfo.org is your source for environmental information which is understandable, unbiased, accurate, and available in a wide variety of formats. We strive to facilitate informed decisions regarding forestry-related issues.

How it works

Through the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP), landowners who get their property classified as ‘Managed Forest’ pay 25% of the municipal tax rate set for residential properties.To participate, you must prepare and follow a 10-year Managed Forest Plan that details how you will manage your forest property responsibly. The plan must be approved by a Managed Forest Plan Approver. These individuals are independent resource management consultants, certified by, but not employed by, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. You also need to submit a 5-year progress report and update your management plan every 10 years to stay in the program.

The Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association (OMSPA) was formed in 1966. Over 400 Ontario producers are active in 11 district or local organizations.

Ontario Wood - Look for the leaf

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.

During the 1980's up to 30 million trees a year were planted on rural privately owned properties across Ontario. In the late 1990's planting levels dropped to as low as two million trees per year. Experts tell us that in order to achieve 30 per cent forest cover and a healthy ecosystem we need to plant over a billion more trees. Trees Ontario is now part of Forest Ontario, a not-for-profit organization that requires the financial support of individuals and organizations. The 50 Million Trees project is supported by the Province of Ontario.

This guide provides a framework for creating a stewardship plan on rural properties. It uses a 20-year planning horizon and will help you develop a list of stewardship activities you can work on over the first 10 years of your plan. A plan can be prepared for any size of property. The complexity of the plan will increase with the size and diversity of the property.

Working Together to Restore Water Quality The Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan emphasizes an ecosystem approach to restoring and protecting the Bay. This approach recognizes the complex interrelationships between water, land, air, and all living things - including people, and seeks cost-effective actions to restore, protect and sustain water quality. The Bay of Quinte is one of the most picturesque bodies of water in Lake Ontario. Its shoreline stretches in a Z-shape from Trenton to Bath for almost 100 kilometers. The Bay’s watershed is the largest in Southern Ontario, over 18,000 square kilometers, and includes lands drained by the Trent, Moira, and Napanee rivers and a host of smaller tributaries. The Problems In 1986, the International Joint Commission (a Canadian-American Great Lakes watchdog) identified the Bay of Quinte as one of 43 Great Lakes “Areas of Concern”…a pollution hot-spot. Poor stewardship of the land as well as industrial, agricultural, municipal and household practices resulted in the past pollution problems including a loss of the diversity of plant and animal life, their habitats (especially wetlands) and an increasing risk to human health. A mix of toxic contaminants, bacterial and nutrient overloads in the Bay led to great imbalances in the aquatic ecosystem.

Invading species are one of the greatest threats to the biodiversity of Ontario’s waters and woodlands. Originating from other regions of the world, and in the absence of their natural predators or controls, invading species can have devastating effects on native species, habitats and ecosystems.

Nature in Deed is a portal to a wide range of information and resources about living in a rural area. You can find links to people and resource agencies who can provide information on just about any property related question you may have.

Although we beekeepers are an independent lot, we also know that we do best when we can share our experiences and learn from others. Following are some ways to connect and become part of the beekeeping community. 

Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. Ontario Nature is a charitable organization representing more than 30,000 members and supporters and 140 member groups across Ontario. Since it was established as the Federation of Ontario Naturalists in 1931, Ontario Nature has been a champion for nature in Ontario.

Did you know about bees and butterflies, but did you know that there are over 1000 species of pollinating insects in Canada? Together they are an indispensable natural resource, and their daily work is essential for over a billion dollars of apples, pears, cucumbers, melons, berries, and many other kinds of Canadian farm produce. These beneficial insects are under pressure from loss of habitat, loss of food sources, disease, and pesticides. As insect populations are threatened, so are the fruit and vegetable produce, and the wild ecosystems that depend on these pollinators.

Quinte Beekeepers' Association is part of the Ontario Beekeepers' Association.

Stirling, ON

Contact: 

Liz Corbett

Telephone: 

613-827-7277

Email: 

ecorbett30gmail.com

OBA Board Liaison: Emily Mills

The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and safety of farmers, their families and workers.  CASA works collaboratively with agricultural safety and health specialists and producers in all provinces and territories to promote health and safety on Canadian farms and ranches. CASA provides national leadership and direction for agricultural health and safety, to reduce injuries and lessen their negative impact on farmers, their families and workers.  CASA’s long term objective is to ensure that no one is hurt farming.

Workplace Safety North provides occupational health and safety resources, training, ergonomic and industrial hygiene support and consulting for Ontario’s forestry industries. 

You can access the Soil Survey maps for Hastings County and the report.

If you heat with wood now or are considering the use of wood fuel for home heating, this book is for you.

Alternative Heating Solutions for the 21st century and beyond

An information hub for alternative heating systems such as passive and active solar designs, low-emission stoves and geothermal systems.

Ideal stove is a Kochel or masonry oven and it creates more heat from less wood. A traditional woodstove is 30-50% efficient. Newer, cleaner burning stoves have a secondary burner and will burn 85% clean burn with less soot.For those really adventurous check out Rocket Mass Heaters- Super efficient-  http://www.rocketmassheater.ca/

Cords used- Depends on size of home, insulation levels, home configuration, temperature of home,  efficiency of system- average-5-10 bush cord of dry wood.

Species used- Hardwoods best hickory, oak, maple, elm or longer list from harder to softer - ironwood, beech, ash, red elm, red maple, tamarack, white birch, Manitoba maple, red alder, hemlock, poplar, pine, basswood, spruce, and balsam.

In the shoulder seasons, spring and fall, when not a lot of heat required the softer woods are fine

http://www.woodheat.org/good-firewood.html

Wood Varies widely depending on if you get your own wood- free except for labour and equipment. Purchase wood is  usually $200 to $300/bush cord. Tandem load of logs is generally the lowest cost if you need to purchase.

Seasoning of wood until it is dry usually at least one year. Some wood takes longer to dry than others i.e. oak. Other woods like ash dry in a very short time.

Fuel wood, the environment and  the 21st Century

Although Northern Hardwood is out of this region they have a lot of useful information about buring wood on their website.

As a well owner, you want your water to be clean, clear and safe for your family to drink. Your water may look clean and clear, but how can you be confident that it is safe?  

While regular testing is important, you can prevent problems and protect the quality of your well water through proper maintenance.

The purpose of this technical bulletin is to summarize the information on well disinfection found in the Water Supply Wells – Requirements and Best Management Practices manual published by the Ministry of the Environment, December 2009. This technical bulletin is one in a series of 11 on well issues created for a person who is considering a new water supply well or who currently owns a water supply well.

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.

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

Food safety is the CFIA’s top priority. The CFIA, along with many federal, provincial and municipal organizations, is working to improve the overall health of Canadians. The CFIA develops and delivers programs and services designed to protect Canadians from preventable food safety hazards, to ensure that food safety emergencies are effectively managed, and that the public is aware of, and contributes to food safety.

The CFFO is an organization with the dual purpose of:enabling farmers to work out their Christian faith in their vocation as citizens, and to develop policy applications of the Christian faith to agriculture. The CFFO's main service or "products" are: Public Policy Development and Education/Communication.

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.

Field Crop News” is an archive of information dedicated to the production of over 8.5 million acres of field crops in Ontario  and a forum for which producers, researchers and industry personnel can share information and ideas.

The Sisters of Providence in Kingston 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 National Farmers Union in Ontario promotes policies that will revitalize agriculture in Ontario by strengthening family farms. On local, national and international levels, the NFU advocates alternative structures and government policies that resist corporate control of food. With farmers and consumers, NFU works to encourage vibrant rural communities, environmentally sustainable practices and the production of safe, wholesome food.

The Ontario Farmland Trust is a non-government, non-profit, charitable organization that has been established to work with farmers, rural communities and other interested parties to promote the protection of farmland in the province of Ontario

The Ontario Horticultural Association is a volunteer, charitable organization whose mission is to provide leadership and assist in the promotion of education and interest in all areas of horticulture and related environmental issues in Ontario, through an expanding network of horticultural societies dedicated to the beautification of their communities. 

Local Horticultural Societies in this area are in District 3.

Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement 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. The new Grow your Farm Profits helps farmers plan their businesses.

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.

A Research, Consulting and International Development Organization creating ecological solutions for sustainable food, fibre and energy.

The Garlic News comes out four times a year, the issues being planned to reach you in time for the four garlic seasons: planting; winter planning; spring tasks, and the summer harvest. Contact us by completing the information on the Contact Link or fill out the printer friendly Membership & Subscription Form, print and send it with your cheque or money order today.