A Lyndhurst business owner received a special award during an International Women’s Day celebration at the Brockville Memorial Center. Wendy Banks, the owner of Wendy’s Country Market and Furnace Falls Farm, received a Lifetime Achievement Award this past Wednesday.
The award recognizes a woman who has been in business for more than 20 years and demonstrated hard work, creativity and resilience.
The evening also features a Women in Business Showcase, which also included an address by keynote speaker Karla Briones, along with dinner, gifts and door prizes.
Ms. Banks opened her Country Market on Old Briar Hill Rd in Rideau Lakes Township as an outlet for local food. She is a 6th generation farmer, selling produce, meat, frozen entrees, artisan cheese, crafts and so much. Her shop features her own farm products along with those of 70 area producers.
More recently, she launched Furnace Falls, a working farm, B&B retreat and barn rental venue next door to her market and in the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands. Furnace Falls Farm is the setting for educational classes, teaching tourists and locals alike about sustainability and self-sufficiency.
Ms. Banks also holds dinners and concerts to provide entertainment in a beautiful country setting. This master entrepreneur works with local Chambers of Commerce, agricultural organizations, restaurants and churches to build community and local food capacity. S
She is known as one of the region’s top agricultural ambassadors and for the “Harvesting Hope” initiative
(By: Tim Baltz)
