Overview

The Excellence in Agriculture Awards recognizes excellence in the agriculture and food industry. Its purpose is to:

  • recognize and encourage outstanding efforts that drive the agriculture and food sector forward
  • raise awareness of Ontario’s agriculture and food sector and its impact on the provincial economy

Recipients receive engraved glass awards for their efforts, while honourable mentions receive certificates. Both gain access to a wordmark that can be used for promotional purposes.

Minister’s Award Winner

Drone Spray Canada — Municipality of Chatham-Kent

Drone Spray Canada is being recognized for taking a leading role in a rapidly emerging field. Founded by Adrian Rivard, in 2020, in Blenheim, Drone Spray Canada is advancing innovation in the agri-food sector through applied research, training, on-farm demonstrations, and advocacy related to drone spraying technology.

The company is helping explore and demonstrate the potential of drone spraying to improve efficiency, enhance crop protection, and support environmental sustainability. Through its research and demonstration activities, Drone Spray Canada is generating knowledge and building awareness of technologies that may reduce pesticide drift, minimize soil compaction, and help farmers respond to challenging growing conditions.

Education Excellence

Applicants and nominees must demonstrate excellence in awareness building, innovation, training and/or skill development and identify how those efforts are supporting growth within Ontario’s agriculture and food sector.

Award Winner: Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association — City of Ottawa

For nearly a century, the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association in Almonte has been a driving force in agriculture across Eastern Ontario. The not-for-profit organization focuses on innovation, education and community leadership. As the Association approaches its 100th anniversary in 2027, it continues to look to the future, offering scholarships to students pursuing a career in agriculture and partnering with Algonquin College to provide students with hands on experience. Its signature event, the Ottawa Valley Farm Show is Ontario’s longest running agricultural trade show and brings families together with producers, suppliers, and innovators to showcase advancements in agricultural technology.

Honourable Mention: Sandi Brock — County of Perth

As a co-owner of Shepherd Creek Farms in Staffa, Sandi Brock is transforming how people learn about agriculture. Through Sheepishly Me, her online presence, she uses a social media platform to share the realities of modern farming with a global audience. Sandi provides engaging and transparent information and insights into animal care production practices, the nature of seasonal work and farm business. Sandi’s YouTube audience has grown to approximately 1.26 million subscribers with more than 696 million lifetime views, giving Shepherd Creek Farms Ltd. an exceptionally large platform, making her one of Ontario agriculture’s most influential ambassadors.

Agribusiness Excellence

Applicants and nominees must demonstrate excellence across agribusiness operations and identify how those efforts are supporting the efficiency and/or effectiveness of Ontario’s agriculture and food sector. This includes achievements in food processing, agri-business and supply chain management, encompassing the journey from production to market, workforce development including attraction and retention, and operational performance improvements.

Award Winner: Western Fair Association (The Grove) — County of Middlesex

Through its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship, the Western Fair Association in London is helping shape the future of Ontario’s agri-food sector. A non-profit organization, Western Fair Association’s Agribusiness hub, The Grove, provides food and beverage entrepreneurs with the space, resources and connections needed to transform promising ideas into market-ready products. The Grove has already supported more than 70 food and beverage businesses and 18 incubation kitchen tenants. With support from the Grove, those businesses have been able to commercialize 31 new products and services while generating more than $5.3 million in sales and creating 343 full-time-equivalent jobs. By fostering business growth and supporting sector innovators, The Grove is building a stronger and more resilient food economy for Ontario.

Honourable Mention: Elite Agri Solutions Inc. — County of Middlesex

Elite Agri Solutions Inc. is helping Ontario farmers navigate an increasingly complex business environment. From its home in Glencoe, the farmer owned company provides nearly 1,000 farm operations with integrated health and safety compliance through environmental planning, food safety certification, and energy efficiency support. The integrated approach helps farmers reduce risk, navigate regulatory requirements and secure key funding, offering a blueprint for agribusiness support across the province.

Honourable Mention: WOWBUTTER Foods — County of Perth

WOWBUTTER Foods (Hilton Whole Grain Millers Ltd.) in Staffa, is a leader in food innovation, creating unique, superior quality natural and allergy friendly foods, including WOWBUTTER. Through many years of product development, trials, and test marketing, WOWBUTTER Foods now focuses specifically on soy-based foods using soybeans grown by local Ontario farmers. Designed for all families, WOWBUTTER provides a safe, nutritious alternative that protects children and adults who suffer from life-threatening peanut and nut allergies. WOWBUTTER was also developed to nourish nonallergic families and provide schools access to healthy, locally produced food choices.

Research and Innovation Excellence

Applicants and nominees must demonstrate excellence in research and innovation and identify how those efforts are supporting the efficiency and/or effectiveness of Ontario’s primary production or processing/manufacturing agriculture and food sector.

Award Winner: Drone Spray Canada — Municipality of Chatham-Kent

Founded by Adrian Rivard, in 2020, in Blenheim, Drone Spray Canada is advancing innovation in the agri-food sector through applied research, training, on-farm demonstrations, and advocacy related to drone spraying technology. As a leader in an emerging field, the company is helping explore and demonstrate the potential of drone spraying to improve efficiency, enhance crop protection, and support environmental sustainability. Through its research and demonstration activities, Drone Spray Canada is generating knowledge and building awareness of technologies that may reduce pesticide drift, minimize soil compaction, and help farmers respond to challenging growing conditions.

Honourable Mention: Agriculture Environmental Renewal Canada (AERC) Inc. — City of Ottawa

Agriculture Environmental Renewal Canada (AERC) Inc., led by Dr. Om P. Dangi, in Ottawa, is a Canadian hybrid seed company developing climate resilient crops that can be used as livestock feed, forage and renewable energy feedstocks. For more than 35 years, Dr. Dangi has led research to adapt sorghum and pearl millet, crops traditionally grown in warmer regions, to Ontario and Canadian conditions, helping farmers diversify production and better manage drought and changing weather conditions.

Honourable Mention: SK8 Biotechnologies Inc. — Regional Municipality of York

SK8 Biotechnologies Inc., based in Newmarket, is at the forefront of biotechnology innovation, developing precision bacteriophage technology to control harmful pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli in livestock and food processing environments. For more than a decade, the company has focused on developing highly concentrated, stable, and commercially viable bacteriophage solutions that perform in real-world agricultural and food production systems. With a growing presence in Europe and Southeast Asia, supported by advanced in-house research and manufacturing capabilities, SK8 Biotechnologies Inc. is helping strengthen food safety and agricultural production both in Canada and around the world.

Farm Family Excellence

Applicants and nominees must demonstrate leadership and excellence and identify how those efforts are supporting the growth and development of Ontario’s agriculture and food sector.

Award Winner: Hy-Hope Farm — Regional Municipality of Durham

Hy-Hope Farm is a multi-generational family farm in Ashburn. The four generation family operation has evolved from a small vegetable farm into a diversified, year-round agricultural enterprise that includes a farm market, bakery, and an agri-tourism destination with an 18-hole golf course. The farm produces 15 varieties of apples in addition to plums, currants, sweet cherries, and berries. Hy-Hope farm is a long-term participant of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s tree-fruit breeding program, demonstrating the farm’s commitment to the advancement of Canada’s fruit industry while providing employment for 55-60 workers, including local high school students, and returning seasonal agricultural workers.

Northern Business Excellence

Applicants and nominees must demonstrate leadership and excellence and identify how those efforts are supporting the growth and development of Ontario’s agriculture and food sector. The business must be located in the geographic area set out in the northern processor boundaries map.

Award Winner: Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance — Temiskaming District

Northern Ontario Farm and Innovation Alliance (NOFIA) in New Liskeard, is a non-profit organization that is strengthening the future of agriculture in Northern Ontario by fostering research, innovation and collaboration. Through strategic partnerships with various groups NOFIA is able to help build the infrastructure to expand agriculture in Northern Ontario.

This year NOFIA partnered with Dr. Sara Epp at the University of Guelph to develop an experiential-learning initiative that brought graduate students into Northern Ontario agricultural communities. By connecting students directly with farmers, agribusinesses, service providers, municipalities and rural communities, NOFIA is ensuring the research being done will lead to the practical solutions needed to support Northern Ontario’s agricultural future.

Urban Agriculture Excellence

Applicants and nominees must demonstrate excellence in bringing the farm to the city and identify how those efforts are adapting agriculture technology to an urban setting, increasing access to local food and increasing urban participation and support for Ontario’s agriculture and food sector.

Award Winner: Cambridge Food Bank — Regional Municipality of Waterloo

The Cambridge Food Bank is a charitable organization that has been strengthening food security and community well-being in Cambridge and the Township of North Dumfries for more than 40 years. Through urban agriculture, local food partnerships and community education, the organization helps individuals and families access nutritious food while building connections and enhancing community resilience.

The Cambridge Food Bank now cultivates three acres of urban growing space and has produced more than 55,240 pounds of fresh produce over the past three years, including a record 27,610 pounds in 2025 alone. Since launching its Mobile Food Market, in 2021, the Food Bank has brought fresh, quality produce to over 15 neighbourhoods each week. Through initiatives including community gardens, a community pantry, and a wellness hub and partnerships with Bee City Cambridge and One Seed One Community, the organization continues to grow a healthier, more connected community.

Women’s Farming Excellence

Applicants and nominees must demonstrate leadership and/or excellence and identify how those efforts are supporting the growth and development of Ontario’s agriculture and food sector.

Award Winner: Janet Harrop — County of Wellington

Janet Harrop is co-owner of Harrcroft Acres, a dairy farm in Fergus, and is a determined advocate for agriculture whose leadership extends beyond the farm gate. From participating in Living Labs research trials and continued advocacy as past president of the Wellington Federation of Agriculture to serving on the local chamber of commerce board, Janet has consistently championed innovation and community engagement.

Through her willingness to host initiatives like Breakfast on the Farm and being Grand 101.1FM’s trusted source for agricultural insights, she helps connect consumers with agriculture and raises awareness for the vital role farmers play in Wellington County. Janet Harrop is a great example of the women being celebrated during this, the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

Honourable Mention: Union Culturelle des Franco-Ontariennes (UCFO) — United Counties of Prescott and Russell

For decades, l’Union Culturelle des Franco-Ontariennes located in Alfred, has worked to improve the lives of Francophone women across Ontario. Through the É.G.A.L.E.S Project, this non-profit organization is supporting Franco-Ontario women in agriculture with the tools, skills, and networks they need to succeed. This project works to build leadership capacity, promote economic empowerment, and create opportunities for women to excel as agricultural leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers. By addressing barriers to success, the initiative is strengthening the individuals, their businesses and Ontario’s agriculture sector.

Contact us

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at excellenceinagriculture@ontario.ca.