2011 / 2010 / 2009 / 2008 / 2007 / 2006

Minister's Award Winner

Tigchelaar Berry Farms Inc.

+ High definition

From left to right: Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario; Dan Tigchelaar; Carol Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Jeff Tigchelaar

Dan and Jeff Tigchelaar have applied an innovation that could help revolutionize Ontario’s strawberry industry.  They have adopted the concept of planting day neutral strawberries in the fall, rather than traditional spring planting dates. 

By integrating this new production system with their already existing day-neutral and traditional June-bearing strawberry operation, they can now give Ontario wholesalers and retailers a constant supply of fresh, local, high quality strawberries for well over 5 months.

The production system involves the use of floating row covers to promote late plant development and flower bud initiation for an early spring harvest. Following successful trials in 2006, this farm continues to expand the use of this production system into their everyday operation. As additional customers begin to experience these new Ontario strawberries, the Tigchelaar’s are certain many more will “fall” in love with the unbeatable taste of this fresh, local fruit…well into autumn.