agriculture

‘King of the rows:’ NOTL’s Steve Pohorly is this year’s Grape King

Steve Pohorly manages Riverbend Farms, started 55 years ago by his parents, Frank and Susan. Today, the farm spans 50 acres of land. "It’s a team effort and I represent our entire farm family," he said.

Discover some great wines off the beaten path in NOTL

The barrel cellar at Marynissen Estates Winery was transformed into a pop-up tasting room last weekend, showcasing small-lot artisanal wines from Liebling Wines, Divergence and more.

Gary Pillitteri talks building estate winery from the ground up, life in politics and family

Seventy-eight years ago, Orazio (Gary) Vincenzo Pillitteri arrived in Niagara with his father to escape political persecution in his native Sicily. Today, his family's Pillitteri Estates Winery is one of Canada’s most prolific wineries.

What’s old is new again: Stratus embraces a 8,000-year-old winemaking method

Guests got their hands dirty with clay under the tutelage of local potter Valérie Bélisle. They made their own miniature amphoras, in the shadow of Stratus' own wine filled vessels, while tasting select wines.

Adieu, Amélie: Château des Charmes winemaker to explore new horizons in France

After 15 years at the helm of award-winning winemaking and innovation at Château des Charmes, Amélie Boury is packing up cherished memories and moving on.

Promising grape harvest predicted this fall — but is anyone buying?

This fall's grape harvest in Niagara is expected to deliver on quality and quantity — whether the industry will be able to sell all of its yield, however, is another question.

Heartbeat of the Harvest: Part 1: An old tradition comes to Chateau des Charmes

A buzz of anticipation and excitement pervades the scene, as a new tradition for Chateau des Charmes is inaugurated.

The Turner Report: In NOTL houses devalue, migrants feast

"There are some 1,500 workers around here. Most stay eight months. They do tasks Canadians reject. Our growers depend on them. To my eye, they also respect and help them," writes Garth Turner.

Migrant workers have unequal access to resources, volunteer group says

The Lake Report attended a press conference last month with the minister of agriculture and MPP Sam Oosterhoff and questioned them on how they plan to address the concerns of farm workers and advocates. 

A little up, a little down  — 2024 tender fruit yields vary in NOTL

The Niagara-on-the-Lake tender fruit crop is almost completely in and reports are mixed on how well things went with this year’s yield.

NOTL farmworkers miss families, want permanent residency

The Canadian government has hinted at awarding permanent residency to farmworkers, however, it has never gotten beyond the discussion stage.

New migrant worker crisis line not the solution, advocate says

The provincial and federal governments announced a joint investment of $538,000 on July 22 through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership to expand a program in Ontario known as the Farmer Wellness Initiative. 

Kent Heritage Farms teams up with horticultural society

Kent Heritage Farms has been a local staple for decades. Paul Kent, the current owner and operator of the family-run business, sees it as an emotional legacy. 

PHOTO GALLERY: Celebrating summer at the farmworkers picnic

There were good vibes in the air on Saturday at Centennial Sports Park in Virgil, as local farmworkers and their friends gathered for the Jamaican workers social event, a new initiative hosted by the Jamaican Liaison Service.

Business: New CEO promises change while honouring the legacy of Chateau des Charmes

Last Friday, Paul-Andre Bosc handed off the ownership and operations of the winery to the new CEO, Marco Piccoli, and a group of young Canadian investors.

‘Free’ is a great word when trying to drum up business

Sometimes you gotta give a little to get a little. Front Step Farms in Niagara-on-the-Lake took that adage to heart last Friday, while testing its...

Shaw Guild Garden Tour primed to wow your senses

The annual Shaw Guild Garden Tour is one of the most highly anticipated calendar events of the year in Niagara-on-the-Lake for those enthusiastic about...

Eight properties featured in horticultural society’s 30th annual garden tour

Jo-Ann Fraser Special to The Lake Report The Niagara-on-the-Lake Horticultural Society is marking the 30th anniversary of its annual Gardeners' Garden Tour this year. In addition...

Workplace injury pay now applies to foreign workers even if they return to their home country

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s new measures to help foreign agricultural workers recover from an on-the-job-injury is a good move, but doesn’t go far...

Farmers market season has arrived in NOTL

One of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s summer mainstays will open this weekend with "Market at the Village," the town's annual farmers market, beginning its 18th season on...

Horticulturalists plant sale had something for everyone, even for the first-timers

Kushal Bhandari didn’t know much about home gardening before the Niagara-on-the-Lake Horticultural Society’s yearly plant sale. Now, he’s got a wealth of knowledge. The new homeowner...

Worker mobility key concern with changes to foreign worker program

Alliance wants feds to go further and grant permanent residency   Proposed changes to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program that will directly affect thousands of Niagara-on-the-Lake...

Horticultural society’s annual plant sale is a sure sign of spring

Big business retailers have Black Friday. The Niagara-on-the-Lake Horticultural Society has Green Saturday. While not its official name, the society’s annual spring plant sale, being...

Taking stalk: Asparagus season kicks off with a bang, and lineups, at Thwaites

  It was game-on at Thwaites Farms in Niagara-on-the-Lake on Friday, May 3 as the first farm-fresh produce of the season hit the stands with...

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