Gwen's Garden Produce - Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership

16-year-old Gwen Williamson has opened a vegetable stand with the help from a summer grant program for students administered by the Business Enterprise Centre of Sarnia-Lambton. "Gwen's Garden Produce" can be found everyday 10am-5pm except Fridays, at 7739 Lakeshore Rd., near Ravenswood, and on Fridays at the Forest Farmers Market from 9am-2pm until the end of August. Her produce at the family farm location is displayed on an old railway wagon, recently renovated to accommodate her great assortment of farm fresh vegetables. Most of Gwen's vegetables are coming from an area greenhouse until her vegetables become available. She has two large gardens growing a variety of bean, tomatoes, peppers, peas, corn, cucumbers, beets and home grown maple syrup. Meat can also be purchased at the family farm location – 'Williamson Farms'. Gwen's new summer venture was made possible to her through the province's Summer Company program, where her winning business plan was selected from a number of submissions. Summer Company is a grant program offered by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. The program is offered to students between the ages of 15-29 up to $3000 in funding to start a new summer venture. They receive up to $1500 before the summer and $1500 after the summer, upon successful completion of the program. As a participant, Gwen is involved in a community mentoring group consisting of local business people, to offer her advice and assist her throughout the summer. Summer Company is in its 5th year in Lambton. In the five years, 12 grants have been provided to students. Those interested in being future applicants can find out more information by viewing the official Summer Company website at www.ontariocanada.com/summercompany or by contacting Deanna Podolinsky at 519-332-1820. Deanna is one of Gwen's mentors, the other two include Forest TD Canada Trust manager Donna Jones and Jen Soetemans, a former grant recipient. Gwen applied on-line at the end of April and started interviews on May 17th at the Sarnia location. She reviewed her projected business plan and received grant approval the first of June. The funding has helped her purchase inventory – such as her seeds, her canvas sign, fixing up her produce wagon, and business supplies. She must write a daily journal on what she does every day (working an average of 35 hours per week). She reports to her mentors every two weeks in Forest. Last year Gwen was employed at Wallygators, Ipperwash in the kitchen. Now that she has her vegetable stand, she plans to keep it going for the next few years. She is tending to her gardens, but readily admits that her family also helps her with some of the weeding and picking. Gwen is the youngest daughter of Chris and Al Williamson and will be attending grade 11 at North Lambton Secondary School this September. By DEBBIE JAMIESON The Forest Standard <img src="/images/logo_forest_standard.jpg" alt="">

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