Nominations open for OFVGA Award of Merit

Dec 04, 2024

Nominations are now open for the annual Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association Award of Merit (OFVGA).

The award is presented to an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions to Ontario’s fruit and vegetable sector in strategic leadership, technical input or innovation, and/or dedication to the industry.

“Through this award, we honour exceptional contributions to our industry by individuals or organizations, from grassroots innovators to long-time advocates who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment and dedication to the fruit and vegetable sector,” says OFVGA executive director Alison Robertson.

Examples of innovation could include improved farm practices, responding to consumer demands, environmental stewardship, energy innovation or advocacy and outreach.

To be eligible, nominees must be an OFVGA member farmer/producer, group of farmers, combination of agri-food businesses, agri-food-related organization within the fruit and vegetable industry or an individual who is or has been active in the Ontario fruit and vegetable industry. Nominees must also be resident in Ontario and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Nomination forms are available on the OFVGA website or by contacting the OFVGA office. Completed forms must be submitted to OFVGA by January 10, 2025 at 5 p.m., by email to dvanderzaag@ofvga.org. or by postal mail to 355 Elmira Rd. N, Guelph ON N1K 1S5.

The winner will be announced at the OFVGA banquet on February 18, 2025 in Niagara Falls, and will be the subject of a feature article in the March 2025 issue of The Grower. Recent award winners include Don Brubacher (2024), Brian Gilroy (2023), Ontario Food Terminal (2020) and Ken Linington (2019). The award was not handed out in 2021 or 2022.

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Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.