HARVESTING NEW IDEAS FOR AGRICULTURE
McGuinty Government Rewards On-Farm
Innovation
NEWS
April 16, 2008
Two Ontario farmers are receiving the province's top agri-food
innovation awards.
The recipients are being recognized under the Premier's Award for Agri-Food
Innovation Excellence, a $2.5-million, five-year program (now in its second
year) established to recognize innovators who contribute to the success
of Ontario's agri-food sector.
- William Nightingale, of B & C Nightingale Farms (LaSalatte), is
the recipient of the Premier's Award of $100,000. He was recognized
for his work in improving Ontario's fresh vegetable yields by pioneering
the use of high tunnels over vegetable field crops.
- David Freeman, of Freeman Farms (Meaford), received the Minister's
Award of $50,000 for his innovation in developing freeze-dry technology
and building a state-of-the-art processing plant equipped to process
botanicals for use in nutraceuticals and whole foods.
The innovations of 55 regional winners, who will receive $5,000 each,
will be highlighted at regional award ceremonies in the coming weeks.
The awards were presented at the fourth Premier's Summit on Agri-Food.
The summit's theme this year is 'Buy Ontario'. Participants will discuss
ways of growing the demand for local foods, which will benefit the province's
farmers, rural economies, and the environment.
QUOTES
"I continue to be impressed by the calibre of ideas and products
our agri-food sector produces," said Premier Dalton McGuinty. "By
encouraging more ideas and innovations, we are helping to build a stronger
future for this and the next generation of Ontarians."
"It is important to showcase the great innovations that are taking
place within our agricultural and rural communities," said Leona
Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "By
supporting innovative ideas and building consumer awareness, we are working
together to make Ontario's agri-food industry better and stronger."
QUICK FACTS
" Since its launch, the Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation
Excellence has attracted 358 applications highlighting on-farm innovations.
" Ontario's agri-food sector is the second largest goods manufacturing
industry in the province (after the auto industry) and contributes $30
billion to the economy every year.
LEARN MORE
See videos of this year's top
two innovations and discover the variety of previous award-winning
on-farm innovations at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
webpage.
Learn more about other programs supporting
innovation in Ontario by visiting the Ministry of Research and Innovation
website.
Backgrounder
ONTARIO FARMERS RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR INNOVATIONS
Top two winners of the Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence
for 2007:
Premier's Award Recipient ($100,000):
B & C Nightingale Farms Ltd. - (LaSalatte, Norfolk
County)
William Nightingale travelled to Europe to research, first-hand, the
benefits of covering vegetable crops with high tunnels, which are rounded,
tent-like covers, designed to be set-up in tunnel or row formation on
fields. When he saw 20,000 acres of fresh vegetables flourishing under
canopy, he was convinced the idea would help grow a better product and
greater yields back home in Ontario. He was right. The high tunnels,
which were modified to withstand Ontario's climate, have extended the
farm's growing season by several weeks, doubled cropping opportunities,
decreased insect and disease pressures, and resulted in a quality, consistent
product.
The Nightingales have pioneered a change in Ontario fresh vegetable
farming - helping growers move from conventional field production to
covered production, and towards organic production. Their company, Tunnel
Tech, makes and markets high tunnels to other growers. The farm not
only sells the system, it also provides valuable technology transfer
in the form of research data on varieties, yields, use of plastics and
irrigation, and demonstation days.
When it comes to enhancing Ontario's fresh vegetable growing opportunities
- B & C Nightingale Farms has things covered.
Minister's Award Recipient ($50,000)
Freeman Farms - (Meaford, Grey County)
David Freeman knows how to capture value by freezing Mother Nature's
gifts. Freeze-drying plant material has been shown to preserve the quantity
of the active component found in plants for nutraceuticals. Freeman
has worked extensively with the University of Guelph to develop freeze-dry
technology, and as a result, his farm's first project is to manufacture
garlic powder with allicin. (Allicin is the key ingredient responsible
for the broad-spectrum of anti-bacterial activity in garlic.)
Freeman has also built a state-of-the-art large-scale, good management
practice certified processing plant to freeze dry botanicals such as
garlic, blueberries, herbs and other plant material. Its equipment is
the first of its kind in Ontario. The plant also meets standards for
processing pharmaceuticals for humans, which opens the door to exciting
new opportunities for the future. The ability to produce freeze-dried
fruits and vegetables of this standard can potentially enable other
Ontario farmers to partner with feed and pharmaceutical companies to
produce nutraceutical supplements and whole foods.
For more information contact:
Kelly Synnott
Minister's Office
416-326-6439
Brent Ross
Communications Branch
416-326-9342
|
This site is maintained
by the Government of Ontario 
Queen's Printer for Ontario
