CALEB NICKERSON
FORT COULONGE
Oct. 16, 2018
On Oct. 16 a large, international group of farmers, producers and government officials gathered at the Spruceholme Inn in Fort Coulonge to mark an international agri-tourism partnership.
The dinner was part of a bus tour organized as part of the Candian American Exchange, or CANAMEX project, spearheaded by local farmer David Gillespie. CANAMEX seeks to link agri-tourism routes in both states with similar projects across the border in southern Quebec and Ontario.
Farmers, media as well as tourism and agriculture officials from Vermont and New York were on the tour to glean inspiration and knowledge from their Canadian counterparts. The first day featured two stops, but the group would tour around the Pontiac and Ottawa the following day.

Ashlee Kleinhammer is the owner of North Country Creamery in Keeseville, NY. She said her farm is part of the recently launched New York cuisine trail and is relatively small, but offers a store and café where they retail local value-added products.
“We were invited to come check out the Canadian version and get inspiration and then coordinate with all these other types of people, farmers, legislators, non-profits,” she explained. “The stops themselves were certainly inspiring. They’re really set up well for tourists.”
Dinner for the evening was prepared by Chef Philippe Lamontange, himself a local farmer. Appetizers were bison sausage from Les Grands Gibiers du Bois-Franc with Ceder Creek Farm trout rillette and chicken pâté from Ferme de la Montagne.
Next up was Chaparond Farm mushroom soup, with a spicy oil and herb pesto from Ferme Pleine Lune.
The main course was stuffed chicken breast from Ferme de la Montagne, wrapped in smoked bacon from Netherleigh Farm, and vegetables from Ferme Pleine Lune.
Dessert was a Rusenstrom Farm pumpkin and chocolate cake garnished with maple glaze from La Paysannerie.
Following the meal, entertainment for the evening was provided by local favourites Louis Schryer and Erin Leahy accompanied by the stepdancing of Schryer’s daughter Chelsey.
The local officials in attendance were supportive of the project, including Pontiac MP Will Amos, who said the project is a great idea, but needs continued support.
“Now is the time for a number of different entities in our region to sit down and evaluate what specifically we need,” he said in a phone call to The Equity. “What do we need funding for?”