Local Agri-Food Innovators Celebrated

McGuinty Government Rewards 10 Recipients for their Innovations

Innovative ideas grown by Ontario farmers were celebrated today at a ceremony in Wallaceburg honouring local winners of the province’s regional awards for innovation excellence. These fresh ideas are contributing to the local economy, boosting the agri-food industry and giving consumers more choice.

The Premier’s Agri-Food Innovation Excellence awards are part of a $2.5-million, five-year program (now in its third year) established to recognize innovators who contribute to the success of Ontario’s agri-food sector.  

Local events across the province are recognizing 55 regional award winners, who are receiving $5,000 each for their innovations.  Area winners presented with their awards today are:

Winners of the $100,000 Premier’s Award and the $50,000 Minister’s Award were presented in April at the Premier’s Summit on Agri-Food. 

QUOTES

“These innovations help to strengthen our local agri-food sector, which is such an important contributor to Ontario’s economy.  I am pleased to recognize the achievements of these local innovators with these awards.” - Maria Van Bommel, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex

QUICK FACTS

• In its first three years, the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence has attracted more than 550 applications highlighting on-farm innovations.  
  
• Ontario’s agri-food sector is one of the province’s leading industries, contributing more than $33 billion to the economy every year.

LEARN MORE

Learn more about this year’s award winning innovations and discover the variety of previous award-winning on-farm innovations.  

Learn more about other government programs supporting innovation in Ontario by visiting the Ministry of Research and Innovation website.

Backgrounder

Regional Innovations Awarded in Wallaceburg

The following are recipients of the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence -  regional awards:

CHATHAM-KENT COUNTY:

Naturpak Ltd. (Wheatley) - Naturpack is a durable, lightweight and greener loose-fill packaging material made from unmodified corn starch. This product is manufactured without chemicals and is 100 per cent biodegradable, making it an excellent alternative to Styrofoam packing. By adapting German technology, this innovator has modified the process to produce an environmentally friendly packaging product that can be widely used and presents an alternative use for corn. The innovation is the only product in North America that uses the patented extrusion process and raw material combination. Naturpack is a great example that shows us how agriculture can produce greener products and help shrink our environmental footprint. 

ESSEX COUNTY:

Essex County Associated Growers (Leamington) - Fruit and vegetable growers in Essex County have built a new ramp onto the information highway, driving consumer traffic to their businesses. The new website, www.bountyofthecounty.ca, connects consumers, restaurants and retail stores to 1,200 growers who can supply them with fresh, high-quality produce that’s grown close to home.  Subscribers to the site can also sign up for a Harvest Alert, so they will be notified when products are available.

Ewe Dell Family Farms (Woodslee) - From farm to family, this innovator has found a way to deliver a product that meets the needs of Ontario’s growing diversity of cultures. Ewe Dell Family Farms began as a modest 30-ewe farm. The operation has grown to include a flock of 4,000 and includes a modern, government-inspected abattoir, which was specifically designed to process sheep. The farm markets its lambs directly to a variety of different ethnic clients in a nearby urban centre. The one-of-a-kind abattoir enables the farm to produce specific carcass weights, specialty lamb cuts and products that meet the cultural and religious needs of their various customers. This innovative farm has found a new way to honour old traditions.

Sunsation Acres Inc. (Kingsville) - It’s food safety first for Jim Slater of Sunsation Acres Incorporated.  Jim is an early adopter of a rigorous food safety regimen that the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers have made mandatory for their members.  The process includes documenting daily practices, strict employee hygiene and stringent water quality and pest control programs.  In the future, every producer, packer and marketer of Ontario greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers will have their food safety program verified annually by a third-party audit firm, and buyers will be able to verify that these products are grown under the safest conditions possible.

LAMBTON COUNTY:

Peter and Wilma Aarts and Maaike Campbell (Watford) - Switching to switch grass to heat a 1,500-sow operation has reduced this farm’s energy costs and environmental footprint. The farm adapted a high efficiency boiler, typically used in greenhouse operations, designed to burn coal or natural gas to produce heat. The boiler was modified to burn switch grass - a renewable, green energy resource. Within two weeks, the owners no longer needed propane tanks on their farm. They now solely depend on heat generated from the switch grass, and predict the high efficiency boiler will help them save up to 80 per cent on their heating bills. This innovation is a greener option that’s easy to warm up to.

Berryhill Farm (Watford) - Berryhill Farm wants its customers to see red. Owners Tony and Joanne Hogervorst have adapted a reusable red basket, modified from the apple industry, to help them market their farm vegetables to local retail grocery chain stores. The basket is a key component to their marketing and delivery system. It’s also easy for stores to display. These innovators negotiate directly with individual stores and ensure that their goods are fresher, larger or offer more guarantees than their warehouse counterparts. The farm uses an extensive inventory tracking system and has more than 2,000 baskets in circulation.

Codan Suffolks (Wyoming) - Bill and Lynne Duffield are building a better flock using DNA testing from ‘down under.’ Theirs is the first Canadian sheep farm to use this technology pioneered by a New Zealand doctor. An FTA card, a chemically treated filter paper used to collect and store DNA, is the key factor that enables the farm to send samples to the other side of the world. The farm sends the cards via international courier and results are returned electronically. The program has enabled them to genetically test for cold tolerance and footrot. This has resulted in better breeding decisions and economic returns for the farm.

Joe Kerr (Wallaceburg) - This farmer is a friend to the environment. After some experimentation, Joe Kerr has established a simple combination of drainage fittings that effectively collect and supply water to wetland, without compromising his field drainage system.  To date, 20 acres of farmland has been modified with this new technology. This innovation is a ‘win-win’ as it allows wildlife to enjoy the wetland while the farmer saves money. It’s a great example of environmental stewardship that benefits the business of agriculture.

Sim Farms Ltd.  (Watford) - Simon VanAert had an ‘egg-cellent’ idea. He designed a simple but effective egg trap that captures eggs laid in the feeding system of modern, free-range poultry buildings.  An aluminum bar directs the eggs into a holding tray until they can be retrieved.  This has created numerous cost savings for the operation. The trap eliminates breakage of premium organic/free-range eggs dropping into the fresh food conveyor belt and increases saleable eggs and productivity.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY:

Sandy and Kathy Smith (Melbourne) - No one has to say ‘where’s the beef?’ in Middlesex County.  It’s been conveniently cooked and vacuum-packed in a tasty gravy, ready to heat for dinner. The roast comes from beef born, raised and finished on Sandy and Kathy Smith’s farm. After it goes to the local butcher, the meat is cooked and packaged locally. The Smiths market and sell their product to local food establishments. Their innovation meets consumer demand for quick, easy and nutritious meals.  It saves the environment by reducing transportation costs, and boosts the farmers’ and butchers’ bottom lines, while supporting the local economy.

ABOUT THE AWARDS PROGRAM

Awards - The five-year, $2.5 million Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence is now in its third year. The Premier’s Award can be up to $100,000; the Minister’s award can be up to $50,000. There are up to 55 regional awards, valued at $5,000 each.  

Who is eligible? - A farmer, primary producer, groups of farmers, combination of agri-food businesses or an agri-food related organization are all eligible for recognition under this initiative. A farmer must be one of the applicants of any group. This program is not intended for the research community as there are other government recognition programs available to this sector.       Applicant/nominees must reside in Ontario and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada. Ontario public service staff and immediate family are not eligible to apply for this program. 

Types of eligible innovations - Examples of innovations for this program include (but are not limited to) improved farm practices, responding to consumer demands, environmental stewardship, health and safety on the farm, energy innovations, education and marketing of agriculture to society, and promoting local food.

For more information, contact:

Sherry Persaud, Minister's Office, 416-326-6439
Brent Ross, Communications Branch, 416-326-9342