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kawarthaNOW.com's Keep It In The Kawarthas® is a choose local campaign that helps connect consumers with locally owned businesses in the greater Kawarthas area. kawarthaNOW.com is a locally owned independent media publisher. We choose and support locally owned businesses first.

Kelly Convery left her stressful career working as a paramedic for Peterborough County to begin Sanctuary Flower Fields in the Township of Selwyn. Growing cut flowers as well as offering photography sessions and regular wellness events, retreats, and workshops in partnership with many local businesses and artisans, the farm is committed to offering a destination location to connect with nature for health and rejuvenation. (Photo: Mary Zita Payne Photography)

The Local Advantage in Peterborough County: the local economy blooms at Sanctuary Flower Fields

Kelly Convery's farm in the Township of Selwyn collaborates with dozens of local businesses, photographers, and entrepreneurs.
A sixth-generation family farm first settled in 1902, Woodleigh Farms in the Township of Cavan Monaghan is focused on improving soil health through sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices including no-till farming (pictured), rotational grazing, and composting. Most recently, the farm has launched an innovative and award-winning pilot project that will turn forest waste wood into biochar, a form of pure carbon used as a carbon-sequestering soil amendment. (Photo courtesy of Woodleigh Farms)

The Local Advantage in Peterborough County: Woodleigh Farms is growing a sustainable future through innovative farming practices

The Township of Cavan Monaghan farm's award-winning pilot project is transforming waste wood into a carbon-sequestering soil amendment.
A berry cute baby in a strawberry field at McLean Berry Farm and Buckhorn Berry Farms near Buckhorn. Strawberry season is back in full swing, and this year's crop is extra sweet and juicy. Pick-your-own and pre-picked strawberries are now available at both family farms, and you can also find McLean Berry Farm and Buckhorn Berry Farms at six local farmers' markets in the region as well as more than 30 local grocery stores. (Photo courtesy of McLean Berry Farm)

Know Your Locals: Don’t miss strawberry season at McLean and Buckhorn Berry Farms near Buckhorn

Pick-your-own and pre-picked strawberries are now available at the McLean family's two farms and local farmers' markets, with raspberries coming in July.
Jennie MacKenzie is the founder of Jen's Home Baking, a Lakefield-based small business that has been a vendor at the Lakefield Farmers' Market in the Township of Selwyn since the market was founded in 2010. Now in its 16th season, the market runs every Thursday morning between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the parking lot behind the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre, and supports local farmers, small businesses, and the region's tourism sector. (Photo courtesy of Lakefield Farmers' Market)

The Local Advantage in Peterborough County: Lakefield Farmers’ Market grows the local economy

The popular weekly market in the Township of Selwyn brings together local farmers, local artisans, and prepared food vendors using local products.
Millbrook Mercantile is a destination shop in the Township of Cavan Monaghan with more than 100 cheeses, meats, and boutique wines, as well as all-natural clothing, home decor, and art made from small businesses and artisans based locally, across Canada, and around the world. A menu of sandwiches, charcuteries, and salads use locally sourced produce, meats, and ingredients which can be enjoyed on a seasonal streetside patio. (Photo courtesy of Millbrook Mercantile)

The Local Advantage in Peterborough County: Millbrook Mercantile is a destination one-stop shop supporting local and Canadian makers

From menu ingredients to its retail shelves, the Township of Cavan Monaghan shop focuses on locally sourced, small batch, artisan products.
19-year-old Curve Lake First Nation artist Soraya Whetung of Soraya Beads selling her handmade jewellery at the 71st annual Curve Lake Pow Wow in September 2024. Her handmade beaded bracelets will soon be available for purchase through Canadian off-price department store chain Winners. (Photo courtesy of Soraya Whetung)

Handmade bracelets by 19-year-old Curve Lake entrepreneur Soraya Whetung to be sold at Winners

Soraya Beads are also available through Biskane, an e-commerce marketplace for verified Indigenous artists.
A high-quality luxury swimwear brand based in the Township of North Kawartha in Peterborough County, Bikinis by Bridget recently showed off their latest and largest collection to date, "Verano in Mexico," at Miami Swim Week. As founder and designer Bridget McCluckie continues to gain international attention and get her products into more boutiques across Canada, she uplifts other businesses in the local community by partnering with local small business owners and artisans to host events at her flagship brick-and-mortar store, HERmanas, in Apsley. (Photo courtesy of Bikinis by Bridget)

The Local Advantage in Peterborough County: Bikinis by Bridget brings luxury swimwear designed in North Kawartha to international runways

Founded by Bridget McCluckie, the high-quality swimwear brand hosts in-store events with local small business owners and artisans at Apsley flagship boutique HERmanas.
Peterborough musician VanCamp (Calvin Bakelaar) provides a soundtrack for shoppers during a summer sidewalk sale in downtown Peterborough, with the street closed to motor vehicle traffic. The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) will be hosting Second Saturday Sidewalk Sales on June 14, July 12, August 9, and September 13, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)

Monthly Saturday sidewalk sales coming to downtown Peterborough this summer

Two blocks of George Street will be closed to motor vehicles during the events, which will also feature pop-up street vendors and community activities.
On the outdoor barnyard stage of the picturesque Winslow Farm in the Township of Cavan Monaghan, Millbrook's 4th Line Theatre develops and stages original Canadian plays, written by and about Canadians, that chronicle and explore the region's cultural heritage. Attracting more than 17,000 people each summer, the not-for-profit outdoor theatre company has a $4 million impact on the local economy each season, working with more than 50 local businesses, food purveyors, and partners. (Photo courtesy of 4th Line Theatre)

The Local Advantage in Peterborough County: 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook grows Canadian-made plays, local talent, and regional tourism

For 33 years, the theatre company in the Township of Cavan Monaghan has brought history to life on its outdoor stage at the Winslow Farm.
Tickets are now on sale for the eighth annual Kawartha Craft Beer Festival, which takes place at Peterborough's Del Crary Park on the shores of Little Lake on June 6 and June 7, 2025. The event features regional and Ontario-based breweries, local food and retail vendors, lawn games, and live music, including an all new Country Night featuring headliner Buck Twenty to kick off the festival on Friday. (Photo courtesy of Kawartha Craft Beer Festival)

Know Your Locals: 8th annual Kawartha Craft Beer Festival returns to Peterborough June 6 and 7

Kicking off with an all-new Country Night, the two-day event at Del Crary Park will include live music, lawn games, local food and retail vendors, and lots of brews.

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