New snack corn processor to start up in Chatham Monday, May 30, 2011 by PAT CURRIEA new plant that will process local corn into snack food – much of it to go to a company in Detroit – and employ 13-15 workers is being launched in Chatham. With the help of a $299,612 Ontario Rural Economic Development grant, Dover Corn Products Ltd., owned by businessman Gerald Lozon, has installed a modern corn mill to produce high-end corn products in what used to be a Redpath Sugar plant. "We hope to be up and running in about a month," said office administrator Crissey Aarssen.The new corn-milling plant was designed and built by Jozsef Alberti, plant manager/engineer for GrandPaPa's Canister Snacks Inc. of Detroit, which will be the main customer for Dover’s output of ground and bagged Kent County corn.Dover expects to purchase 6,000 acres of corn from local farmers and generate nearly $6 million in sales in it first year. Two future phases of expansion "are our main goal if everything goes as planned," Aarssen said."The retrofitted facility will boast modern processing equipment, and will be the first corn processing operation of its kind in all of Ontario," said Pat Hoy, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Essex. ""This project will benefit all of Chatham-Kent with new marketing opportunities for farmers and additional employment in Chatham as well," said Maria Van Bommel, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex and Parliamentary Assistant to Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell. BF Farm income increase cloaks danger signals Ontario beekeepers estimate winter losses of 30 to 40 per cent
Broadband Access is a Defining Issue for Rural Canada’s Future Thursday, April 2, 2026 Broadband connectivity took centre stage during the on March 26, as speakers emphasized that reliable, high-speed internet is now foundational to rural economic growth, community well-being, and Canada’s broader ambitions in technology and resource development. The Coalition’s latest... Read this article online
Agricultural Educator and Industry Leader Dr Tom Funk Remembered for Lasting Influence Thursday, April 2, 2026 The agricultural education community is mourning the passing of Dr Tom Funk, a highly respected Professor Emeritus at the University of Guelph whose influence spanned more than three decades of teaching, leadership, and mentorship. Dr Funk dedicated over 35 years to teaching... Read this article online
What Distributed Energy Resources Mean for Canadian Producers Thursday, April 2, 2026 As energy costs rise, many Canadian farms are looking for ways to take greater control of their electricity use. One term that farmers are hearing more often is distributed energy resources, often shortened to DERs. While the phrase may sound technical, the concept is highly practical, and... Read this article online
Western Fair District Wins Agribusiness Award 2026 Thursday, April 2, 2026 Western Fair District has been named the winner of the 2026 Business Achievement Award in Agribusiness by the London Chamber of Commerce. This award recognizes the organization’s strong efforts in supporting agriculture, innovation, and community development. A key part of this... Read this article online
Government Extends Interest Free Farm Loan Support Thursday, April 2, 2026 The Government of Canada has announced that it will extend the $250,000 interest-free limit under the Advance Payments Program (APP) for the 2026 program year. The decision has been welcomed by farm groups as an important step to support farmers during uncertain times. “This is a... Read this article online