A second driver, according to the CAHRC, is energy-oriented produc- tion chains. These operations take advantage of bio fuels. They are typically dairy or feed lot operations that generate the raw materials used for bio gas and bio diesel. “These products never existed before,” Hauer said. Consumer trends are behind the CAHRC’s third driver. “Custom- er-oriented businesses, where farmers have a close relationship with the consumer, are a new societal trend,” said Hauer. “Market gardening, U-pick (and) farmers markets all address a need expressed by consum- ers . . . to know where their food is coming from. There are producers out there who are responding to those opportunities.” New opportunities Responding to new consumer trends has created new operations, new products and new niche markets. “Keeping an eye on consumer trends is the name of the game with niche crops,” said Kyle Wynette of the Tavistock Hop Company in Perth County. Wynette, his wife Julie and another couple operate the thriving operation. “Our farm has only about 30 workable acres. My wife and I were both working off-farm and were look- ing at something we could do with small acreage that had more potential than a traditional field crop. We had some friends who were home brew- ers, and they suggested we grow hops,” said Wynette. After five years of planning, marketing and production, Wynette expects the farm will start producing a “respectable income” this year. For Ontario hop producers, the explosion in craft breweries has provided an opportunity. “In the past couple of years, something like 200 breweries have opened in Ontario,” said Wynette. “There are about 80 acres of hops in the province. You get a lot of one-acre, half-acre opera- tions.” The Tavistock Hop Company’s six acres is a respectable size. The Wynettes’ operation started with brand building. “Social media was huge. Facebook and Twitter. We would follow craft breweries on Twitter before we approached them, and they see that.” Wynette now supplies small craft breweries and has a sizeable farm- gate business selling his organic hops AGRI-FOOD JOBS About 200 new brewers have opened in Ontario in the past two years, creating demand for Ontario hops growers. Kyle Wynette photo Continued from page 14