Leeds Grenville
Economic Development eNews | March 15, 2016
Business Profile
Top feature photo: Nigel inspects cheese in the aging room.

Photo above: the "make room" of the creamery.



Centre photo: Nigel and his father, Bob, in the dairy barn with the herd. Photo above: Bushgarden products.
Bushgarden Farmstead Cheese enhancing an area family's fifth-generation dairy farm
ELGIN - Young entrepreneur and farmer Nigel Smith has found a way to enhance operations on his family's century-plus dairy farm by re-introducing cheese making, a craft his great grandfather once excelled in.

"The more I researched it, the more fun cheese became," Nigel says of his decision to launch Bushgarden Farmstead Cheese a few years ago on the farm where he grew up. The Smith family has farmed on Bush Road in the heart of Rideau Lakes Township for five generations dating back to the 1820s.

Nigel had been searching for a way to diversify at Bushgarden Farm, a certified organic Holstein and Brown Swiss farm led by his father, Bob Smith. Once Nigel had made the decision, he studied at the Institute of Artisan Cheese, University of Vermont, and with cheese maker Art Hill, of the University of Guelph. 

The Bushgarden creamery, located near the dairy barn, is provincially licensed and inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). Raw milk cheese is safe to eat when it meets the legislated requirements (provincial and federal) for manufacturing and aging. At the Smith farm, raw milk runs from the milk house directly into the creamery on cheese making days. Cheese is aged from 60 to 120 days depending on the type.

Nigel's specialties are Pilgrimage, a Gouda-style cheese, and Nauvoo, a cheddar cheese. He makes flavoured Goudas, including wild nettle, cumin, hot pepper, chive and garlic. His cheese is sold locally at Wendy's Country Market near Lyndhurst, Gordanier's Grocery in Elgin and Mrs. McGarrigle's in Merrickville. Bushgarden cheese is distributed by Findlay Foods in Kingston and retailed from Tara Foods and Limestone Creamery. Cheese is sold as far away as Ajax, Trenton and Peterborough. Nigel's wife Claire helps with marketing. The couple plans to widen their distribution as more and more people try their unique products.

To learn more about Bushgarden Farmstead Cheese visit their website and their Facebook page.
News
Mrs. McGarrigle's founder Janet Campbell earns Lifetime Achievement Award
She has created one of the most famous and successful businesses in eastern Ontario.

Mrs. McGarrigle's Fine Mustard - Fine Food was founded by Janet Campbell in 1988. Today the company ships its 24 award-winning mustards, vinagrettes and preserves to more than 500 outlets across Canada. Her Merrickville store features Janet's creations, gourmet foods, fine kitchenware and home décor products. It's considered a foodie destination where you'll find mustards not found anywhere else. An added attraction is her products continue to be handcrafted on site in the store's kitchen.

Janet received the award at the International Women's Day event hosted by the Leeds and Grenville Small Business Enterprise Centre earlier this month in Kemptville. Janet's daughter Hailey Lachance, who works alongside her mother in the business, was there to help her celebrate.

"I was so honoured," Janet said. The award was created to recognize a woman who has been in business for many years and to celebrate her as a community business leader. Congratulations to Janet! Learn more about Mrs. McGarrigle's by visiting their website.


Janet Campbell, left, and her daughter Hailey Lachance were photographed at the event held at the North Grenville Municipal Centre by Elenora Luberto of Jemman Photography, Kemptville.



Community Events

8th annual South Grenville Business Showcase & Expo receives funding 

Gord Brown, MP for Leeds-Grenville, Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, second from left, presents $1,400 in funding from the Grenville Community Futures Development Corporation to, from left, Edwardsburgh Cardinal Township Mayor Pat Sayeau, Prescott Mayor Brett Todd and Augusta Township Mayor Doug Malanka at the Augusta Mayor's Breakfast March 11. The funds will help market the South Grenville Business Showcase & Expo set for Friday, June 10, and Saturday, June 11, at the Ingredion Centre in Cardinal. Register Now.
Workshops and Seminars
Ontario Trillium Foundation hosting 
Seed and Capital Application workshop 

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is hosting its Seed and Capital Application workshop.
Spring Valley Library at 4103 County Road 29.
Wednesday, March 30, 1-3 p.m.
Free
Pricing Strategies - Improve your cash flow

A workshop through the BR+E Alliance's All About Marketing 2016 Seminar Series
Grenville Mutual building, 
380 Colonnade Drive, Kemtpville
Wednesday, March 23, 6-8:30 p.m.
Free
Visit our Workshops and Seminars page