Northeastern Ontario

Arriving at Meeker's Aquaculture , owner Mike Meeker is so busy answering the rings of three phones that his faithful dogs, Roscoe and Maddy, stand in as the welcoming committee at the Manitoulin Island fish farm.

Manitoulin Island-based aquaculturalist Mike Meeker has been recognized by the Community Futures Network of Canada as an Ontario entrepreneur.

What started as an association to create job opportunities for single mothers has flourished as a viable greenhouse operation.

“Have you ever heard, when ice is breaking up, that distinctive tinkling sound?” asked Mike Meeker as he surveyed the water surrounding his Evansville-based cage culture fish farm.

An open forum will be held for farmers in the Algoma district and those interested in pursuing agriculture opportunities in the goat market.

There are not too many industries out there that actively push for more government regulation.

More than 70,000 people are expected to pour into the small village of Earlton throughout the 2009 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) from Sept. 22-26, the first time the annual event is held in Northern Ontario.