• Home
  • Site Map
  • News
Invest in Norfolk County
Norfolk County Economic Development
Contact | 800-699-9038
  • Text Size A A A
  • Toggle Contrast:
    Twitter
    Visit Us
    Follow Me
    Tweet
    Facebook
    Facebook
    fb-share-icon
    Instagram
    Pinterest
    Pinterest
    Pin Share
    YouTube
    YouTube
    Trip Advisor
    • Advantages
      of Norfolk
      • Infrastructure
      • Location
      • Pride & Innovation
      • Quality of Life
      • Vision
    • Stats &
      Demographics
      • Our Economy
      • Communities
      • Farm Data
    • Key
      Industries
      • Agriculture
      • Manufacturing
      • Tourism
    • Properties
      & Process
      • Industrial Parkland
      • Properties Available
      • Surplus Properties
      • Maps
      • Development Process
      • Green Light Team
    • Incentives
      & Supports
      • Business Incentive Grants
      • Entrepreneur of the Year
      • Expand & Relocate
      • Film Liaison Office
      • Start and Operate Alternative Accommodation
      • Student Start Up Program
      • Other Governments
    • Workshops
      & Events
      • Workshops
    • Request
      a Meeting
    • About Us
      & News
      • Contact Us
      • Awards
      • News
      • Strategy Review

    Years of growing success at Simcoe Research Station

    March 27, 2017

    Just over five years ago the Simcoe Research Station (SRS) marked its 50th anniversary.

                    The milestone event highlighted the invaluable contribution of the 200-acre facility to the horticultural  industry both locally, provincially and around the world.

                    Despite its prominence and reputation, the SRS toils largely in anonymity in the local community. But its newly arrived manager of crops research technical support, Ray Kaczmarski, wants to heighten the station’s profile.

                    Kaczmarski recalls being queried about his University of Guelph vehicle in Simcoe. He explained the association between the university and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and its presence off Highway 3 between Culver Road and the Blue Line Road.

    Ray Kaczmarski

    Ray Kaczmarski is station manager

                    “They didn’t know we existed and what we were doing,’ he said.

                    Coming from the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in the Niagara area, Kaczmarski  said that facility was well known in the community and surrounding area. He cited events such as open houses and station tours.

                    “We want to do the same here,” he said. “This is a little gem.”

                    Increased signage is an obvious first step, but Kaczmarski is looking at more community outreach in terms of open houses and tours.

                    Younger people and particularly students will be targeted and informed of the potential for summer jobs at the station, as well as possible careers in agriculture.

                    Focused primarily on horticultural research, Kaczmarski said work at SRS is particularly relevant in today’s trend to Buy Local when making food choices. Norfolk County is especially well-positioned to tap into those markets.

                    “It’s cool what is going on out there,” he said, citing the ingenuity and diversity of crops being grown locally.

                    In addition to traditional fruit and vegetable crops, entrepreneurs are creating new and lucrative enterprises with crops and value-added endeavours such as grapes and wineries and hops and craft beer.

                    The millennial generation is more willing to try new things and “farmers can tap into that.”

                    Kaczmarski added that local farmers can take advantage of new immigrants to
    Canada who seek out different cultural foods and plants, such as flowering cherry trees for the Chinese New Year.

                    “You’d be shocked at what people will pay,” he said.

                    In addition to the affiliation with the University of Guelph and OMAFRA, SRS is home to grower organizations such as Ontario Ginseng and the Asparagus Growers Marketing Association.

                    Contracted research projects is one source of funding for SRS.

                    Kaczmarski acknowledged that accessing funding is a “frustration” as researchers go about their work.

                    Adam Dale, the longest tenured researcher at the station, said funding is one of the biggest challenges for the future. He said SRS is moving to a 50-50 model where various commodity groups share in the costs.

                    “It’s difficult,” agreed Kaczmarski. “We have fragmented grower groups and don’t have a ‘Big Brother’ like a Monsanto (to contribute long term, sustainable fund).”

                    While funding is a chronic challenge, SRS has a critical role in advancing agricultural research, not only in Norfolk County, but around the world.

    Originally published in Norfolk Farms, March 2017, by Media Pro Publishing, 519-429-0847.

    Twitter
    Visit Us
    Follow Me
    Tweet
    Facebook
    Facebook
    fb-share-icon
    Instagram
    Pinterest
    Pinterest
    Pin Share
    YouTube
    YouTube
    Trip Advisor
    Social Share

      Recent News

      • Export Readiness Seminars January 27, 2020
      • Dynamic speakers tabbed for Economic Development Symposium January 27, 2020
      • Employers wanted for Multi-Sector Job Fair March 2 January 21, 2020
      • Annual Report 2019: Norfolk County Tourism and Economic Development January 21, 2020
      • SWIFT announces high-speed broadband projects in Norfolk County January 20, 2020

      News Categories

      News Archives

      Norfolk County Logo

      Norfolk County
      Economic Development
      185 Robinson St., Suite 200
      Simcoe ON  N3Y 5L6 Canada
      Contact Us
      Call 1-800-699-9038

      Development News

      Subscribe to Development News email bulletins

      Browse Latest News

      Links

      Norfolk Tourism
      Norfolk Farms
      Norfolk County
      EDCO
      EDAC

      Contact Us

      • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
      © 2019 Norfolk County Economic Development
      Designed & Developed by Interkom Inc.