Innovative Ideas Thrive In Southwestern Ontario - 2011

 
 

June 6, 2011 10:30 AM

McGuinty Government Recognizes Excellence, Supports Family Farms

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.

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.

CONTACTS

  • Sarah Petrevan
    Minister's Office
    416-326-3861
    sarah.petrevan@nullontario.ca
  • Susan Murray
    Communications Branch
    519-826-3145
    susan.murray@nullontario.ca



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


 

"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

 
 
 
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