WEST MONTROSE — A Waterloo Region farmer is reportedly looking to turn a newly-purchased castle on some of his farmland into a bed and breakfast. The castle, built by an eccentric German immigrant between 1968 and 1971, sits on a farm property, was originally licensed as a grain silo, and the owner also ran a hobby farm. A local farmer was expected to purchase the castle for $1.7 million last month.
TurfCare moves location
ST. MARYS — TurfCare, which sells Kioti tractors and Stihl products, has moved one of its dealerships. The former Lakeside location, northeast of London, moved about 15 minutes away to St. Marys in mid-May. The Lakeside location still services their equipment.
Ontario hay group seeks members
MARKDALE — The Ontario Hay and Forage Co-op, based out of Markdale in Grey County, needs new members to go ahead with a project to build a double-compacting facility outside of Brampton to handle 100,000 tonnes of hay. Co-op chair Fritz Trauttmansdorff said they’ll need to up their membership from 100 members to 200.
Professional agri-contractors seek new members
BRUCEFIELD — The Ontario Professional Agri-Contractors Association is looking for more members. That could include custom farm workers, fertilizer applicators, pesticide applicators, manure applicators, or any kind of customer planter or harvester. The association currently has about 100 members. Interested farmers can get in touch with Mark Luymes at luymesmark@gmail.com.
Clearview hop growers want on-farm businesses
CLEARVIEW TOWNSHIP — The Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Ontario Hop Growers have signed on to a local bylaw challenge in Clearview Township, Simcoe County.
The challenge was launched by John Craig and Laurie Thatcher-Craig, who run a hop farm nearby. Town council made what it called housekeeping changes to a zoning bylaw in March. But the changes prevent growers other than apple and grape growers from adding on-farm businesses. Hop growers association president Albert Witteveen said in a letter that the bylaw discriminates against hop growers because it prevents them from starting breweries on their farms.
Email business tips to connorlynch@farmersforum.com.
