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Innovative Ideas Thrive
in Southwestern Ontario - McGuinty Government Recognizes Excellence,
Supports Family Farms
June 6, 2011
News
Ontario's local farmers are growing innovative ideas that drive
our local economies and strengthen our agri-food industry.
These ideas were celebrated today at a ceremony in Strathroy honouring
local winners of the Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence.
On-farm innovations are helping Ontario farmers provide more of
the healthy food that is grown, processed, and sold across the province.
Today's regional winners are:
- Rush Creek Wines Ltd. (Aylmer, Elgin County)
- Al McColl Farms (Plympton-Wyoming, Lambton County)
- Hog-Tied Farms Ltd. (Thedford, Lambton County)
- MacKellar Farms (Alvinston, Lambton County)
- Steve Vokes (Petrolia, Lambton County)
- Bloemen Dairy Farms Inc. (Lucan, Middlesex County)
- Junior and Karen Van Geffen (Strathroy, Middlesex County)
- Predator Bird Services Inc. & London Dairy Farms Ltd. (London,
Middlesex County)
- Hoenhorst Farms Ltd. (Innerkip, Oxford County)
- Salford Farm Machinery Ltd. (Salford, Oxford County)
When our family farms thrive, Ontarians taste it at the dinner
table. A strong agri-food industry is part of the McGuinty government's
plan
to create jobs and opportunities that will boost the province's
economy.
Quotes
"Ontario farmers are on the cutting edge. I am proud to recognize
the hard-work and dedication to innovation of our local farmers
who do so much to provide us with the good things that grow in Ontario
and support our rural communities."
- Maria Van Bommel, MPP Lambton Kent Middlesex
Quick Facts
- Since 2007, the Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence
program has attracted more than 900 applications highlighting
on-farm innovations.
- This year, local events will recognize 55 regional award winners
across the province.
- Since 2003, $2 billion in farm income stabilization programs
have helped farmers deal with bad weather, volatile prices and
rising costs.
- In Ontario's
2011 Budget - Turning the Corner, the province committed to
providing risk management programs to support farmers when prices
fluctuate due to unpredictable factors such as weather and global
market changes.
- Ontario's agri-food sector is one of the province's leading
industries, contributing more than $33 billion annually to the
economy.
Learn More
For more information:
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