Farming and Agriculture

The Township of Springwater is a proud rural community filled with farmers and producers. Springwater has 253 farms according to a 2016 census, with production ranging from fruits and vegetables to maple syrup and animal by-products. For a full look at the farming and agriculture business in Simcoe County, view OMAFRA's statistics.

Two annual signature events celebrate our agricultural roots: the Elmvale Fall Fair and the Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival.

Springwater Farmers' Market - Elmvale

The Springwater Farmers' Market - Elmvale operates from June to September every Friday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the municipal parking lot at the Elmvale Community Hall (33 Queen Street West). The market features in-season produce, crafts, gifts and baked goods from local producers across Simcoe County.

The 2021 market season will begin on Friday, June 18 and run weekly until September 17. For more information on the upcoming season, call 705-220-7878 or email the Farmers' Market.

Interested in becoming a vendor?

Are you interested in being a vendor at the Springwater Farmers' Market - Elmvale? Below please find additional vendor information and contact the Market Manager at 705-220-7878 or by email.

2021 Vendors

2021 vendors list coming soon! In the meantime, here is a list of our 2020 vendors:

Birch Farms
El-Cam Farms
Everything Maple
Georgian Bakery
Ladybug Treasurers
Phil's Whirligigs
Say Cheese
Sister Act Handcrafted Items
Valley Farm Market
Vertagro Greens

Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture

The Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture is one of 52 county and regional federations supported by Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) across the province. The federation represents the voice of agriculture in the local community and advocates on behalf of farm families in Simcoe County on local agricultural issues.

Livestock Claims

For information about losses, please visit our Livestock Claims page.

Additional agriculture resources

AgGrid 2021

AgGrid 2021 is a resource guide for agriculture and agri-food businesses in Simcoe, Grey and Bruce Counties looking for information about starting up, expanding or improving their businesses.

Agriculture and Agri-Food BR&E

Regional partners undertook a significant study of the area's agriculture and agri-food sector to build regional and local Action Plans. The partnership group includes the County of Simcoe, Grey County, Bruce County, City of Barrie, City of Orillia, Georgian College and local business support agencies. Over 270 producers, distributers, processors and retailers were interviewed in the study. Review the BR&E Infographic for a snapshot of the results.

Visit edo.simcoe.ca/agricultural-resources for additional information on the study and the work plans that were developed based on the results.

Read the Final Trends Report

COVID-19 agricultural resources

Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program

The Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program will help more operations, including farms, to take additional measures to improve health and safety for their workers and ensure the continued supply of healthy food during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Equine Hardship Program

Ontario is providing conditional financial support to equine experience-based businesses that are facing financial hardship due to business losses associated with COVID-19. Financial support is available until March 12, 2021.

Temporary Foreign Workers

COVID-19 Testing Information for Temporary Foreign Workers (multiple languages available upon request)
Guidance for Employers of Temporary Foreign Farm Workers
Guide for Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada
Prevention, Control and Outbreak Support Strategy for COVID-19 in Ontario's Farm Workers

Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) Consulting & Training
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is providing funding to WSPS to deliver resources and consulting services to help farmers and other agri-food businesses provide safe workplaces, and improve the effective management of the risk of COVID-19. Services are available until March 31, 2021.

Additional Resources

COVID-19: Information for the agriculture and agri-food industry (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
OMAFRA list of Provincial and Federal COVID-19 Financial Supports for Farmers
Ontario Federation of Agriculture summary of COVID-19 resources