Celebrating Ontario's New Crop Of Ideas

 
 

May 21, 2008 4:02 PM

McGuinty Government Rewards Five Recipients for their Innovations

Innovative ideas grown by Ontario farmers are contributing to the local economy, boosting the agri-food industry and offering more choices for the consumer. Those ideas were celebrated today at a ceremony honouring local winners of the province's regional awards for innovation excellence.

The Premier's Agri-Food Innovation Excellence awards are part of 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. Winners of the $100,000 Premier's Award and the $50,000 Minister's Award were presented last month at the Premier's Summit on Agri-Food.

Local events across the province will recognize 55 regional award winners, who will receive $5,000 each for their innovations. Area winners presented with their awards today were:

Durham County
Durham Region Agricultural Education Committee (Courtice)

Frontenac County
Desert Lake Gardens (Sydenham)

Lennox and Addington County
Burt's Greenhouses (Odessa)

Northumberland County
East-Central Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers (Cobourg)

Prince Edward County
Mill Creek Farm (Picton)

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.



Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
ontario.ca/agriculture


 

"Our government recognizes that innovation will strengthen Ontario's agri-food industry. These awards demonstrate the ingenuity and creativity growing on Ontario farms and in our rural communities. Together, we are building new opportunities for the future."

 – Leona Dombrowsky
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

 
 
 
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