Two Ontario farmers have received the province’s top agri-food innovation awards under the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence, 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.
The awards were by Premier Dalton McGuinty at at the fourth Premier’s Summit on Agri-Food in Toronto April 16.
William Nightingale, of B & C Nightingale Farms (LaSalatte) received $100,000 for his work in improving Ontario’s fresh vegetable yields by pioneering the use of high tunnels over vegetable field crops.
David Freeman, of Freeman Farms (Meaford), received $50,000 for his innovation in developing freeze-dry technology and building a state-of-the-art processing plant equipped to process botanicals for use in nutraceuticals and whole foods.
Another 55 regional winners will receive $5,000 each at regional award ceremonies in the coming weeks.
