Ontario Ag Minister unveils “Certified Sustainable” grape grower signs

Jun 27, 2023

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE — Matthias Oppenlaender, Board Chair, and Debbie Zimmerman, CEO welcomed Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, to Niagara-on-the-Lake on June 22.

20 years ago, the Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs at the time unveiled the first Grape Growers of Ontario sign. On June 22, Thompson unveiled new ‘Certified Sustainable’ vineyard signage for Ontario’s grape growers who have completed the viticulture sustainability certification process.

Ontario’s Certified Sustainable viticulture program facilitates the sustainability cycle from the vineyard into the winery through an accredited certification process verified by independent third-party auditors. The program provides consumers with the guarantee of a sustainable journey from grape to glass, and offers grape growers resources to increase sustainable practices to ensure Ontario’s vineyards remain viable for the next generation.

Next time you visit one of the several grape-growing regions across the province, keep an eye out for Certified Sustainable signage or visit www.grapegrowersofontario.com for a list of Ontario’s Certified Sustainable vineyards and wineries.

Source : Farmersforum

Video: Developing disease resistance in new wheat varieties

Dr. Colin Hiebert, research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Morden, is focused on developing new tools that wheat breeders can use to improve, diversify and strengthen disease resistance in new wheat varieties. This includes new genomic tools that address resistance to five diseases including: Fusarium head blight, leaf rust, stripe rust, stem rust and common bunt.

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