Growing Grapes in the Kawarthas – A Tour of the Cheeky Duck Vineyard

Join Farms at Work to learn about growing wine grapes in the Kawarthas. What impact does the soil have? How do you choose appropriate varieties of grapes?  Bring your questions!

Cheeky Duck cultivates delicious wine in a respectful and harmonious way with their surroundings. Their 5-acre vineyard is home to Vidal, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Baco Noir, and Marquette varietals of grapes. Sustainability is woven into every part of the business. They are dedicated to being eco-friendly and carbon-neutral and their vineyard is a haven for butterflies and bees. Lively runner ducks assist with grazing and pest control. Additionally,they use vine pruning as an energy source during the winter.

What to Expect

A guided tour of the Cheeky Duck vineyard to learn about establishing, maintaining, harvesting and creating wine from grapes grown here at the edge of the Canadian Shield. Our host will share the vineyard’s sustainability practices. Sample their perfect blend of exceptional taste and sustainability with an optional wine tasting to end the tour.

Farm Tour Details

Location: 1786 Young’s Point Road, Lakefield

Date and Time: Thursday, July 31, 2025, 4:30pm
Tickets: $20 tour only
              $48.25 tour and wine tasting (19+ hosted by the Winery)
(Use the “Reserve Your Spot” button at the top of the page to buy your tickets)

Have the full experience with a dinner reservation! Michelin-trained Chef Josh Keepfer is a passionate supporter of local farmers, using locally sourced ingredients to create unforgettable culinary and beverage excellence.

Support Farms at Work with a donation:

A Passion for Food Innovation – Tour the Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre with Farms at Work!

Show your Love for Local food, and join Farms at Work for a tour of the Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre. OAFVC is a unique food manufacturing facility in our region, helping food entrepreneurs and farmers bring Made in Ontario products to market. The OAFVC is designed, built, and staffed to be a launchpad for food entrepreneurs moving into the next phase of business growth. Their production support provides access to safe, clean, food manufacturing spaces and qualified staff. Clients join their network of food entrepreneurs and industry supporters whose unique experiences and resources help the OAFVC drive opportunities for innovation that benefit all. The OAFVC is host to a wide range of equipment geared to innovate, scale-up, and advance food processing for clients. With a dedicated team excited by innovation and passionate about entrepreneurship, the OAFVC has successfully helped launch 175 food businesses and brought nearly 550 new Made in Ontario products to market between 2018 and 2025.

What to Expect
A guided tour with the manager of the Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre while it is in operation. We will finish our food innovation experience by sampling a few of the over 550 Made in Ontario products made by local food entrepreneurs and farmers at the OAFVC.

Spaces are limited, so sign up today to secure your spot!

Tour the Future of Farming with Farms at Work – Meet OZ, the In-Field Robot – and More!

About this event:
Vertical hydroponic farming, an in-field multifunctional robot, biodigesters, freeze driers and aquaculture – all in one morning! Durham College is sharing their passion for innovation, sustainable agriculture, and strengthening local food systems with us and you are invited!

Our first stop is The Barrett Centre in Ajax. They are Durham College’s dynamic new urban farm and hub of innovation in urban agricultural practices, research, education and training. Home to:

  • market garden & flower ranges,
  • hoop houses,
  • apiary,
  • indoor Growcer vertical farm

A 20 minute drive will bring us to The Whitby Campus Urban Farm. It is considered a living lab, where students have the ability to experience hands-on learning. Our tour will include:

  • market gardens and greenhouses
  • indoor farm and aquaponic growing areas
  • freeze driers
  • Biodigester
  • A demonstration of Oz , the autonomous weeder

The Oz, from Naio Technologies, is a multifunctional robot that assists in arduous and time consuming tasks – hoeing, weeding, making furrows, seeding and is 100% electric.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to see agricultural innovation in action.
Tickets: $20 (Durham College does not charge a fee. Tickets cover organizing costs at Farms at Work)

Let’s Get Canning with Nourish!

Join Nourish (on-line) to learn the basic skills needed to safely can your harvests (or purchases from local growers!) to help the taste of summer last all winter long!

We will review seasonal recipes step-by-step, learn safe water bath canning techniques and talk about other ways in which harvests can be preserved. We will open with a tip, and demo a quick technique and then leave the session open to questions!

Wednesdays at 6pm:

August 19th – You can Pickle that!

August 26th – Tomatoes – Salsa, Sauces & More

September 2nd – TBD based on seasonality and participant feedback!

Once registered, participants will receive a zoom link on the afternoon of the workshop.

Register Now

Growing Resilience: 5 part Gardening Series

Nourish project is hosting a 5-part on-line workshop series will help you reap abundant harvests today (no matter your garden size!) while planting for a more sustainable tomorrow!

Moved on-line from earlier workshop offered in the spring that had to be cancelled. Workshops will be offered on a secure zoom format

.