Agriculture

Agricultural Outlook

Agriculture plays a significant role in Chatham-Kent’s economy. In 2007, the 2,196 farms in Chatham-Kent grossed over $406 million. A reported 75% of Chatham-Kent farms produce grains and oilseeds. Chatham-Kent is also Canada’s largest producer of seed corn, tomatoes, and sugar beets.

Food Industry Growth Trends

A study of the food industry growth trends in Southwestern Ontario identified specific opportunities in Chatham-Kent in the following areas: vegetable processing, food use soybean production, and processing and value-added farm marketing (pick your own, complete farm experience).

Green Energy

Wind projects are a growing opportunity for the rural sector. Kruger Energy’s 101-megawatt Port Alma project completed construction and was fully operating in late 2008. GenGrowth-Boralex has four Chatham-Kent projects under construction and are scheduled to be fully operating in 2010. Several other wind energy and solar energy developers are in various stages of development.

Greenhouse Production

Chatham-Kent’s greenhouse sector continues to grow mainly in pepper production for the U.S. market. Municipal Council has encouraged investment in greenhouse operations by approving of competitive water rates for greenhouse operations. There are plans for expansions at two present greenhouse operations.

Centre for Agricultural Renewable Energy & Sustainability (CARES)

The official opening of CARES was held in October and marks a significant turning point for our agricultural community, as the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus will be a centre of excellence for on-farm renewable energy technologies.

The first of its kind in Canada, CARES is a research and demonstration facility that will test new technologies and further develop them for readiness of on-farm applications. Essentially, it will bring renewable energy to the farm gate.

Bio-Fuels

Chatham-Kent is home to GreenField Ethanol, the largest supplier of ethanol, industrial fuel, and beverage grade alcohols in Canada. The company is looking to expand their operations in the near future. As well, GreenField Ethanol recently opened a state of the art research and development centre in Chatham which is looking at the next generation of cellulosic ethanol.

Chatham-Kent has identified biodiesel production as an emerging opportunity as a result of the region’s abundant soybean supply. Biodiesel fuel is renewable, biodegradable, non-toxic and sulphur-free. In partnership with the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus through the CARES group, a small biodiesel plant was built at the Rigetown Campus and will be operating by the end of 2009. The purpose of this facility is to test the technology to make it available for on-farm applications.

Ag Business Centre, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus

The Ag Business Centre is of a unique partnership between the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, South West Agri-Development, and University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.

The Ag Business Centre’s goal is to cultivate partnerships and nurture rural economic development opportunities, including the administrative support for CARES and the Southwest Agri-Development committee. The Ag Business Centre also provides a key administrative role for the annual Southwest Agricultural Conference.

Krista Gladstone Project Manager
Telephone: 519.674.1597
Fax: 519.674.1512
Email: kgladsto@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca