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.

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

Springwater Farmers' Market - Elmvale

In 2024 the Springwater Farmers’ Market – Elmvale, presented by the Elmvale BIA, will operate every Thursday evening, rain or shine, June 13 through August 29, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The Market will be located in the municipal parking lot at 33 Queen Street West, in Elmvale (next to the Elmvale Community Hall).

Interested in becoming a vendor? Visit the Elmvale BIA website to review the vendor package and complete the application form online.

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

If your livestock, poultry or beehives have been damaged by wildlife, the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program can help with financial assistance.

The Township of Springwater can assist you in processing your livestock claim. Call 705-728-4784 x2015 or contact our Claims Investigator directly at 705-322-2140.

Eligibility criteria

Learn more about program eligibility with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).

Additional Agriculture Resources

AgGrid 2023

AgGrid 2023 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 business.

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

Agri-Tourism Toolkit

Have you been thinking about adding an agri-tourism component to your farm in Simcoe County? Maybe you’d like to expand an existing tourism operation or just want to explore what it takes to get into the agri-tourism industry.

To help Tourism Simcoe County has created and published a new Simcoe County Agritourism Toolkit! The Simcoe County Agritourism Toolkit contains all the information you will need to help you decide whether agritourism is right for you. It outlines the steps you will need to take to add an agritourism component to your existing farm business or to help grow your existing agritourism business. The Toolkit is divided into four components based on a standard business development planning approach.

To view the toolkit visit experience.simcoe.ca. Prefer a printed copy, contact tourism@simcoe.ca to request one for free!

Farmer Wellness Initiative

Delivered by Agriculture Wellness Ontario, a suite of free programming managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, the Farmer Wellness Initiative provides farmers, farm workers and their family members in Ontario with unlimited access to a free, 24/7 phone line that connects them to tailored mental health counselling. Earlier this year, the line expanded to include farm workers, and now the expansion includes the delivery of mental health services in Spanish to better serve international agricultural workers.

Services offered through the 24/7 phone line include crisis counselling, risk assessments, and face-to-face, phone or video sessions with a counsellor.