Durham Region hosts annual farm tour; spotlights multi-generational family farming

Whitby, Ontario – Yesterday, the Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (DAAC) successfully hosted its 20th annual farm tour at Sargent Family Dairy in Enniskillen. The theme was “multi-generational family farming in Durham Region,” and covered a variety of topics including on-farm dairy processing, dairy operation and the importance of media production to showcase agricultural operations.

The tour started with opening remarks from John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for The Regional Municipality of Durham, followed by a special screening of videos from Durham Region’s Agriculture Workforce Project—a project developed to inform residents of careers in agriculture and agri-food production and their essential role in the region, and to encourage residents to enter careers in the agriculture industry.

More than 120 participants attended this year’s tour, including elected officials, representatives from various levels of government, chambers of commerce, farmers and agricultural organizations, the educational sector and public agencies.

Quotes

“Agriculture and agri-food production are top economic drivers for Durham Region; and careers in this vibrant sector are essential to our growing communities. Sargent Family Dairy is a wonderful example of multi-generational farming founded on hard work and tradition. They continue to innovate in the agri-business sector to produce the highest-quality products for residents in Durham Region and beyond.”

– John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Region of Durham

“The DAAC Farm Tour showcases the economic and cultural importance of the agricultural industry in Durham Region by highlighting innovative and successful farming operations in the region. This year’s tour focused on a vertically integrated, multi-generational dairy farm that produces the highest quality milk and dairy products.”

– Zac Cohoon, Chair of DAAC

Quick facts:

• DAAC is a volunteer advisory committee that provides advice to the Region on agricultural and rural-related matters. Since the inaugural tour in 2003, DAAC has showcased more than 40 farms and other agricultural facilities, to more than 1,500 participants.
• Durham Region has a strong Agricultural industry and is a leading agricultural producer contributing more than $350 million to Ontario’s total farm production. It is home to 1,200 farms with a total farmland area of 264,518 acres.

About Durham Region

Durham Region is—simply—more. Located on the eastern side of the GTHA, Durham is a region with momentum. Offering a competitive advantage like no other, Durham is a community where talented, smart, diverse and ambitious people—known for their innovation, creativity, skills and education—bring access to world markets, insights, invention and traditions. A place where an innovative ecosystem helps propel new ideas forward. Where ingenuity and industry help tackle global challenges. Visit durham.ca to learn more about one of Canada’s fastest growing communities.

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For media requests, please contact CorporateCommunications@durham.ca.