2024 Frontenac County Business Award - Recipients and Nominees
Congratulations to the 2024 Frontenac County Business Award Recipients and Nominees!
- A total of twenty-seven nominations were received across five categories, with some businesses being nominated multiple times. An anonymous scoring committee evaluated the nominations based on specific criteria to determine the winners.
- The physical award for 2024 was created by Cathy Owen of the Red Dragon Gallery & Gift Shop. It is a framed glass piece that represents the Frontenac brand and showcases the various elements within the brand.
Congratulations to the five Frontenac County Business Award Winners for 2024:
Below are the nominations for each of the award winners.
Business of the Year nominations - Sharbot Lake Karate, Warrior Prints Photography, Sargeant Tree Removal, Upgrading Homes Inc., Back Forty Artisan Cheese, Thrift Addicts Bargain Barn Inc., Maple Ridge Farm
Business of the Year Award Winner
They are amazing ambassadors for Frontenac County. Their love of the region is evident in the care they show for the land, the hard work they put into the products that they grow, raise, and produce, and the meaningful connections they make with their customers. From their weekly newsletter to their workshops and farm experiences, they share their world of regenerative agriculture, allowing people the chance to understand the importance of the work they do. They offer the chance for people in Frontenac to take part in workshops that directly connect them to the land (e.g., seed saving workshop), understand and learn about gardening and farming (e.g., their strategy sessions), and provide wonderful opportunities and experiences that involve other local businesses and professionals (e.g., herbal tea workshop, photography sessions on the farm).
The winner of the Business of the Year Award - Becky Williams and Mark McCrady of Maple Ridge Farm.
New Business nominations - Rampant Kitchen, Upgrading Homes Inc., K-9 Solutions Dog Training, LeSage Property Maintenance, White Lake Pickleball, Jean & Aggie’s Ice Cream Shoppe
New Business Award Winner
Dear Members of the Nomination Committee, I am writing to nominate for the New Business Award. As a dedicated pickleball coach, that has consistently demonstrated a strong sense of community, innovation, and leadership, making a significant impact on our local sports culture within this region. She embodies a culture of trail-blazing, constantly pushing the boundaries to introduce new techniques and strategies that have revolutionized the way new pickleball players learn and grow. Their innovative approach has not only enhanced the skills of individual players but has also elevated the overall standard of the sport within our community in South and; Central Frontenac. Through their unique business model, she has achieved remarkable success training over 600 students in the past 2+ years. They have supported a thriving pickleball program that attracts players of all ages and skill levels, fostering an inclusive, and encouraging environment. She exemplifies the Frontenac approach to business, characterized by a focus on community engagement, sustainability, and continuous improvement. Their efforts have not only promoted physical fitness and well-being but have also strengthened the social fabric of our community through the company's lesson donations to local fundraising events and personal hours volunteering with various local events and organizations. In recognition of their outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication, I wholeheartedly support the nomination for this prestigious award. I am confident that their achievements and leadership will continue to inspire and benefit our community for years to come. Thank you for considering this nomination.
The winner of the New Business Award is White Lake Pickleball, Kelli McRobert
Partnership and Collaboration Award Winner
They represent a vital collaboration that highlights the importance of local food systems. By raising beef, chicken, turkeys, and pork on the family farm, the family ensures high-quality, sustainably sourced meats that are free from industrial practices. This not only supports animal welfare but also fosters a strong connection to the land and the community. The retail store complements this by providing a direct outlet for these products, making them accessible to local consumers. By sourcing additional local products, the store promotes other family farms, strengthening the local economy and reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting food over long distances. Raising our own food and selling it locally cultivates a sense of community, encourages healthy eating, and empowers consumers to make informed choices about their food sources. This collaboration not only nourishes the body but also enriches the local culture and supports sustainable agricultural practices.
I believe they should receive the Partnership and Collaboration Award due to their exemplary commitment to building a strong, interconnected community in Frontenac.
Here are several key reasons:
Strong Community Connections They have established robust relationships with local businesses, artisans, and organizations, creating a network that supports collective growth. By collaborating with nearby farms and restaurants, they promote local products and foster a sense of community pride.
Innovative Local Experiences they introduced unique experiences, such as Open Farms, that not only engage the public but also educate them about sustainable practices. These offerings help residents and visitors connect with the land and understand the value of supporting local agriculture. Commitment to Local Sourcing.
Their dedication to sourcing products from local producers enhances the regional economy and encourages other businesses to adopt similar practices.
Community Support Initiatives A portion of farm profits from selling 2 Steers at the Local Kingston fall fair over the past 2 years is reinvested into community projects, such as food bank This commitment demonstrates their belief in giving back and uplifting the entire community, not just their own business.
Support for the Community and Operational Successes Their operational successes have also had a ripple effect on the local economy. By prioritizing local sourcing and hiring within the community, they contribute to job creation and economic resilience. Their farm and store serve as a model of how local businesses can thrive through collaboration and mutual support.
In conclusion, they exemplify the essence of collaboration and innovation in the Frontenac community. Their commitment to building partnerships, introducing new local products and experiences, and supporting the community underscores their deservingness of this nomination. Recognizing their efforts through this award would not only honor their hard work but also inspire other businesses to follow their lead in fostering community connections and collaboration.
The winner of the Partnership and Collaboration Award – Perry Farm-Local Family Farm, Kim and Dave Perry
Sustainability nominations - Back Forty Artisan Cheese, Maple Ridge Farm
Sustainability Award Winner
They sustainably source products and use environmental practices within the three aspects of its business - cheese making, Farm-to-Table Bistro, and Farming.
The following outlines the sustainable practices:
They serve true farm-to-table food at its Bistro, sourcing nearly all of the ingredients from their own property, including the pastured meats, organic vegetables, fruit, and the Sheep’s milk cheeses used for the menu.
The Bistro’s food is prepared using wood-fired cooking, using wood from the farm and from local farms that use sustainable forestry practices.
The organic gardens, orchards, and fields are fertilized from the farm’s own sources, including the manure and whey from the cheese making.
They are one of the only Canadian dairies to use whey (by product from cheese making) as the primary protein source for the feeding of Heritage Pigs creating minimal waste with the cheese production.
Nearly all of the products sold in the shop are either made in house or sourced from local small-scale producers.
The beverages sold and served in the Shop and Bistro are all from Ontario, most of which are local, including wine, beer, cider, artisanal sodas, iced tea, and kombucha.
They use milk from pastured sheep and there are few dairies left doing this.
In addition, the animals raised for meat and eggs on their farm are also pastured or free-range, including their Highland Cattle, Heritage breed pigs, sheep, and chickens. Pasturing animals is more humane than confined feedlots, as the animals are not only healthier and happier, but the product, whether it is the milk, meat, or eggs, has been shown to be healthier and more nutritious.
All their sheep milk cheeses are made using Certified Organic natural rennet rather than GMO, making use of the whole animal.
Their cheeses are sold only in Ontario, primarily Eastern Ontario.
The winner of the Sustainability Award – Back Forty Artisan Cheese, Jeff & Jenna Fenwick
Women Led Business nominations - C4 Country Convenience, Ewe Can Knit, The Blue Moose B&B
Women Led Business Award Winner
This individual is a charismatic, successful, female entrepreneur whose love for Wolfe Island and its community shines though in everything she does. In 2018 she established and incorporated the B&B. She’s lovingly renovated the bed and breakfast, navigated her way through the pandemic and has built everlasting bonds within our community. Her passion for providing a “home away from home” atmosphere for guests makes everyone who enters our door leave as part of the “moose family”. She goes out of her way to make all guests stay a special experience. Since opening their doors has won awards for her hospitality and has received numerous grants including one extraordinary grant to make a guest room accessible! The guest experience is truly at the heart of everything she does. In the community she plays an important role: she is the treasurer of the Sacred Heart Catholic School Parent Council, each Wednesday she prepares and cooks hot lunches for the school children, she is on the Wolfe Island Medical Clinic board, she was a lead organizer in this year’s Canadian Plowing Championships (which took place on the Island) and so much more. Behind the scenes she is a true businesswoman. She manages guest bookings, developed and oversees the website, manages the finances, recruits, trains and oversees the team and is constantly looking at ways to strengthen/grow the business. With a smile on her face, she still somehow manages to clean guest rooms, do laundry, help the kids with homework and make the most delicious baked goods. What makes her great is she is always personally striving to improve which directly impacts the success of everything she’s involved with.
The winner of the Women-Led Business Award – Blue Moose B&B, Kate Slagle
