Nominations sought for ag awards

Thursday, November 1, 2012

by SUSAN MANN

On-farm innovators are once again invited to apply for the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence program.

Applications are being accepted now and are due by 5 p.m. on Jan. 18, 2013.

Since the award program started five years ago more than 1,000 applications have been received highlighting on-farm innovations.

Ontario’s agriculture ministry says in a press release the premier’s award encourages the development of rural communities. It recognizes farms, agri-food processors and agri-food organizations that add value to existing products, create jobs and drive economic growth. Up to 45 regional awards are handed out across the province at local award ceremonies with recipients getting $5,000 each. There is also one Premier’s Award of $75,000, a Minister’s Award of $50,000 and three Leaders in Innovation awards of $25,000 each. Those awards are handed out at a ceremony during the Premier’s annual Agri-Food Summit in the fall.

Applications are open to farmers, processors or agri-food related organizations. Additional information, guidelines and application forms are available at the Ontario agriculture ministry website. BF