July 12, 2011

Canada's Walnut Hill Farm gets funding for expansion

Walnut Hill Farm, a south-western Ontario processor providing specialty beef and pork cuts to restaurants, butcher shops and retailers in the province, has received public funding for a major plant expansion.

Walnut Hill Farm, based at Gads Hill, north of Stratford, will get US$139,250 from the provincial government's Rural Economic Development program toward a US$298,500 expansion and renovation project to double its production capacity.

The renovation will allow the company to expand its meat production line, smoke house and curing capacity, which the province said will "create more opportunities for local farmers."

The expansion will also allow Walnut Hill to double its annual sales to an expected US$1.3 million, the province said.

"This investment will make Walnut Hill Farm more competitive, plain and simple," owner John Koch said. "With modernised processing equipment, we can meet growing demand for our products while supporting local farmers. This is a win for Walnut Hill and Perth County."