Niagara Falls’ Neighbor: Exploring Canada’s Scenic Wine Country

Speedy Summary

• Setting: Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada-a verdant area known for vineyards and orchards near Niagara Falls.
• Small Scale Farms: Founded by Renee Delaney with one tomato plant,now a 19-acre community-focused agricultural hub. Renee also runs a farm school focusing on teaching food security to predominantly female first-generation growers.
• Farm-to-table movement: A strong culinary scene supported by local smallholders and sustainable practices like regenerative farming at vineyards like Ferox. Methods include using cow manure and mushroom compost to lock nutrients, avoiding pesticides, and lightweight bottles for reduced carbon footprints.
• Ontario’s wine industry: Emerging thanks to varied climates; wineries produce specialties like icewine made from frozen grapes fermented during winter months despite challenges such as wild animal interference.
• Local lifestyle shift post-pandemic: Former city dwellers like Richard Willett relocated to rural areas seeking tighter-knit community connections through food sourcing and preparation with local ingredients from smallholders and vintners.

Images included:
1) Renee Delaney surrounded by her chickens (Photo credits: Liam Mogan).
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3) Richard Willett prepping local strawberries for dessert (Photo credits: Liam Mogan).
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