We are grateful for the generous support of our funders, sponsors, community supporters, and federal, regional, and local governments.
The festival is funded in part by by Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Regional Trade Organization (RTO 9) 2018/19 Partnership Program with our host, Topsy Farms.
Thank you to Topsy Farms host of our 2018 Dry Stone Festival
Topsy Farms is a family-owned farm on Amherst Island in Lake Ontario. We specialize in ethically produced 100% pure wool products, Canadian wool blankets, sheepskins, and fresh or frozen lamb. Topsy Farms wool comes from a well-cared for flock of over 1100 breeding sheep. Developed through careful breeding, the flock grazes on tree-shaded pastures of Amherst Island at the eastern end of Lake Ontario. The farm hosts a number of environmental stewardship educational workshops through the year, a sheep adoption program, and runs The Wool Shed, where their quality wool products can be purchased.
Sponsors
Thank you Miller Thomson for generously supporting our local food and agriculture program.
Miller Thomson’s Agribusiness & Food Production group is a leader in Canada. We advise on the legal needs for all segments of this industry sector, from the farmer/producer, to the food manufacturer, to the end consumer – and virtually every other facet along the value chain. Agribusiness and food production gives rise to many complex and unique legal issues. Recognized by Chambers Canada as the leading law firm for Agribusiness and the only Canadian law firm to achieve Band 1 ranking, our Agribusiness & Food Production Group is the only Canadian law firm with the experience and in-depth expertise to cover the entire scope of the agriculture industry – from field to table. (Contact Morgan Camley, Partner)
Thank you Value Sciences Investment Counsel for supporting travel for our international guests (David Wilson and Louise Price).
Frances Connelly, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager, Value Sciences Inc., has been managing investment portfolios for over 25 years. Her clients have included pension funds, mutual funds, corporations and private individuals. Frances‘ focus is on helping clients, both individual private clients and non-profit organizations, to define and achieve their investment goals, using research and her broad experience in managing risk and working with portfolios of different types of assets.
Thank you to the following sponsors for their support for the site and build.
McCormick Excavating
David Baker (festival t-shirts)
Grand Valley, ON (festival t-shirts)
Hospitality Sponsors
Thank you Ontario Sheep Farmers for supporting our local food and agriculture program.
Ontario Sheep Farmers is a producer operated organization which represents all aspects of the sheep, lamb and wool industry in the Province of Ontario. It was established to encourage, promote and represent the industry. Our activities work to improve the marketing of sheep, lamb and wool through producer education, promotional campaigns, consumer education and public awareness.
Thanks to The Back Kitchen for catering and supporting our local food program and meals for our wallers and volunteers.
The Back Kitchen (incorporated as the Amherst Island Community Cafe) is Amherst Island’s volunteer managed restaurant that serves great quality food, supports local growers and businesses, hires and trains local students and promotes and hosts local events. The Back Kitchen exists to foster the Amherst Island community.
Thanks to MacKinnon Brothers Brewing for supporting our hospitality and local agriculture program.
MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Co. is located on a bicentennial family farm, just outside of Kingston, Ontario. with over 200 years of farming heritage behind us, we use the hops, wheat and barley grown right here on our farm to brew beer which is emboldened with the unique character of rural Canada. we do this so beer patrons everywhere can share in the taste and tradition of our farm.
Thanks to The Lodge for hosting our international guests and presentation program.
A place where writers, musicians, artists and others can share their talents and where anyone can gather to learn, reflect and enjoy their surroundings. The Lodge offers gracious accommodation plus varied spaces for large and small group events (including workshops/instruction). There are many spaces to rest, read or work. The Lodge can provide overnight accommodation for up to 25 people. Holiday gatherings, workshops and getaway weekends are better at the Lodge.
Government Supporters
Thank you very much for your support!
Loyalist Township is a growing community of 15,000+ people situated on the north shore of Lake Ontario between the Town of Greater Napanee and the City of Kingston. The Township is a blend of rural and urban areas with a number of smaller hamlets throughout, including its very own island community, accessible by ferry.
The County of Lennox & Addington in Eastern Ontario stretches from Lake Ontario to the rugged, rocky terrain of the Canadian Shield. The 2,777 square kilometre County is 130 kilometres long and is neighbour to Renfrew, Hastings, Prince Edward and Frontenac Counties.
From the United Empire Loyalist settlers to the American and European pioneers, the County has a rich past and offers you a chance to explore on your own among some of Canada’s oldest genealogical archives.
Close to nearly one-third of North America’s population, the economic outlook is bright in Lennox and Addington. A mix of farmland, open spaces, forests, and lakes provides a foundation for new business ventures, while stable, thriving communities offer an enticing home.
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Member of Parliament for Hastings-Lennox & Addington, Mike Bossio.
Read more about Mike Bossio’s visit to Topsy Farms in August 2018 here.