Tourism Oxford, Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation and Community Futures Oxford partner on this initiative. We followed up with the recipients to see how the grant impacted them.
Anne Bedard, Thoughtful Artisan
Anne Bedard said receiving the Tourism Innovation Grant opened doors to a network of supporting professionals that have helped with strategic planning, marketing, and professional development.
The program judges were intrigued with Anne’s plan to create yarn tasting events at her business, Thoughtful Artisan.Planning is complete and these events are launching October 2024 and will provide participants with an opportunity to work with different types of yarns while learning about their unique qualities. Three dates are scheduled this fall with additional ones to be scheduled early in the new year. “The experience is interactive and hands-on; designed for small groups of six,” she said. “Although the biggest marketing launch doesn’t happen until the K-W Knitters Fair, we already have people keenly interested and a few who have signed up early.”
For others considering applying next year, Anne says she believes unique ideas are meant to be shared. “Presenting my idea to a panel was a great experience, since the feedback (both immediate and afterward) was invaluable. I was fortunate enough to be a grant recipient and found the process to be a great learning experience.”
Nathan TeBokkel, Thames River Melons
Nathan’s plan to create Meet the Bees events at Thames River Melons was supported by the Tourism Innovation Grant. The funds enabled him to obtain the infrastructure, develop materials, and start running Meet the Bees. He said it was also a vote of confidence from the three organizations who fund these awards and the broader community. “It was a sign that people are interested in what we do on the farm and in our beekeeping,” he said. “The grant funded the beginning of this agritourism experience and helped inspire its continuation.”
This season, Nathan conducted five beekeeping experiences with a total of 16 participants. The grant funds helped Thames River Melon purchase eight full beekeeping suits, veils and gloves, as well as hive tools, propane, smoker fuel, peroxide, Benadryl pills and cream, and an EpiPen. “Luckily, nobody was stung,” he said.
Interestingly, the beekeeping experience seemed to attract two very different groups of people. “The first group included people who were already familiar with the farm in some way, but maybe hadn’t visited our on-farm market and pick-your-own patch yet,” Nathan said. “These were people like our market box delivery customers and farmers’ market customers who live farther away than our usual on-farm customers.” In fact, several guests were from Toronto and the GTA. “The second group included people who didn’t know the farm but found us through Oxford Tourism’s social media and promotions,” he said.
The Meet the Bees experience brought people from far away, introducing new people to the farm. “One group who visited for the first time to do the beekeeping experience, then signed up for our second annual long-table dinner that we ran in August with Woodstock’s Six Thirty-Nine restaurant,” he said. “There’s one more thing,” he added, “The grant application process put me in touch with some beginner beekeepers, so I’ve gotten to know them, help them, and I’ve sold them some of the bees I’ve raised!”
Nathan advises people who apply for this grant in the future to try to see their passions and work through other people’s eyes. “What’s so routine for you, might be strange and exciting for someone else,” he said.
Angela Neddo. Habitual Chocolate
Angela Neddo said receiving the Tourism Innovation Grant validated the hard work she is putting into growing her business, Habitual Chocolate, in the experiential tourism sector. “It meant I could launch the experience sooner and generate more much-needed income within my business,” she said.
She hosted three chocolate-making workshops, ranging from six to eight participants. Once her new website redesign is complete, she plans to promote and host workshops bi-weekly. With the grant funds, Angela purchased a dehydrator to prepare ingredients for these experiences. Angela has worked with 12 local businesses so far, from cheese makers to berry growers and even a woodworker! Once she fully launches a more consistent schedule, she expects to have an increase in visitors and tourists.
For those considering applying for the grant in the future, Angela advises to take the time to speak with previous recipients and see what they were able to do with the grant – so many successful businesses can give advice and helpful hints that can save you time and money. “I’m so thankful for receiving the grant and look forward to sharing the experience with people from Oxford County and beyond,” she said.