New Excellence in Agriculture program

New Excellence in Agriculture challenge hopes to create more innovation in the agri-food sector and raise its impact within the Ontario economy.

By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash

In an effort to spur innovation within the agri-food sector, the government of Ontario has unveiled its new Excellence in Agriculture program.

Along with the hope of encouraging innovation in the agri-food sector, it wants to recognize those who innovate while raising awareness of how important innovation is to the health of the province’s economy.

The Excellence in Agriculture program will offer one award apiece in seven categories, with an additional three honourable mentions per category.

The seven categories are:

1. COVID Agri-Food Innovation Champion – to have demonstrated implemented innovative solutions to address Covid-19-related challenges in the Agri-Food sector;
2. Innovation in Food Processing – will have demonstrated how innovation has supported the efficiency and/or effectiveness of the Ontario Agri-Food processing sector;
3. Innovation in Agriculture – can demonstrate how innovation has supported efficiency and/or effectiveness of Ontario’s Agriculture sector AND, there is limited adoption of the identified innovation in Ontario’s Agriculture sector;
4. Women in Agriculture – must have demonstrated agri-food leadership and how those efforts are supporting the growth and development of Ontario’s agri-food sector;
5. Youth in Agriculture – applicant is under 29 years old, and has demonstrated agri-food leadership and how those efforts are supporting the growth and development of Ontario’s agri-food sector;
6. Education in Agriculture – must demonstrate awareness building, innovation, training and/or skill development that supports growth within the Ontario agri-food sector;
7. Northern and indigenous owned business and communities – need to have implemented innovative solutions to support the Agri-Food sector via awareness building, innovation, training and/or skill development and/or innovative solutions to address Covid-19-related challenges.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be in compliance with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal legislation;
• Only one application per eligible applicant can be submitted during the intake;
• Applicants may only choose one award category on their application;
• Applicants must be willing to participate in virtual interviews, site visits, photographs and video recordings at the discretion of the Ministry or selection committees;
• The Ministry reserves the right to refuse an application where concerns have been identified with respect to, without limitation, non-compliance with regulatory legislation and requirements, undue influence and/or misleading and inaccurate information;
• The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, in their sole discretion, may for any reason and at any time retract an award, including the use of the Excellence in Agriculture wordmark, and affected award winners will unconditionally follow all directions issued to them thereafter concerning the same.

For details on how to apply, visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/excellence-agriculture-program.

If you have any questions or feedback, call toll free at 1-877-424-1300 or email excellenceinagriculture@ontario.ca.