Sault non-profit picks up Excellence in Agriculture Award

A Sault Ste. Marie non-profit organization has won an Excellence in Agriculture Award.

Algoma Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) won in the Agri-Food Promotional Excellence category, which honours an applicant that demonstrates innovation in encouraging consumers to buy Ontario grown and made agri-food products.

“Their Buy Algoma, Buy Local program is a membership-based market enhancement initiative used to promote farmers and food businesses through a series of products including printed guides, websites and marketing campaigns,” said the province on its Excellence in Agriculture webpage

“The program is aimed at creating a platform where individuals, businesses, communities and others in the agri-food sector can connect and grow the sector.”

Penokean Hills Farms in Bruce Mines received an honourable mention in the Northern Business Excellence category for its improved access to abattoir services. It has a new, larger facility along with improved equipment and technologies.

The awards are part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, which is currently taking place in Toronto.

Find the full news release from the Ontario government below:

Through the Excellence in Agriculture program, the Ontario government is celebrating 25 exceptional farmers, food processors, organizations, businesses and Indigenous communities who are driving Ontario’s agriculture and food industry forward.

“I am very proud to present the 2023 Excellence in Agriculture Awards at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, where it is a tradition to celebrate the best of the best,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “The recipients lead by example and have demonstrated ingenuity, drive, and passion. Their impact on Ontario’s agriculture and food industry is invaluable.”

The Conestoga Food Research and Innovation Lab (CFRIL) at Conestoga College in Waterloo Region is the recipient of the Minister’s Award. CFRIL is an applied research centre that partners with start-up, small, and medium-sized food businesses to solve technical challenges, de-risk equipment, and provide lab testing opportunities, technical skills, and production support from their 8,000- square-foot facility.

“We’re very proud of the work we’ve done to support applied research for food businesses across the province, and we’re delighted to be recognized for our contributions,” said Nicole Detlor, Director, CFRIL. “Through this program, the Government of Ontario is demonstrating their appreciation for the hardworking people and organizations within this industry.”

This year, the province recognized 14 winners and 11 honourable mentions in agricultural excellence across 11 categories:

• Excellence in Food Processing
  • The County Bounty Artisanal Soda Co. – Napanee

• Excellence in Research and Innovation
  • Conestoga Food Research and Innovation Lab (CFRIL) – Waterloo Region

• Women’s Excellence
  • Loft 32 – Crystal Mackay, Mary Thornley, Brenda Trask – Guelph

• Youth Excellence
  • Arthur Lin, Lavender Polo Farm – East Gwillimbury
• Excellence in Agri-Food Education
  • Dr. Rose Buitenhuis, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre – Niagara Region
  • Progressive Dairy – Guelph

• Northern Business Excellence
  • AgriTech North – Dryden

• Indigenous-Owned Business or Community Excellence
  • Moose Cree First Nation – James Bay

• Family Farm Excellence
  • Snyder’s Family Farm Ltd. – Oxford County
  • Everlily Maples Farm – Bancroft

• Agri-Food Promotional Excellence
  • Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) – Sault Ste. Marie
  • Eat Local Huron – Huron County

• Supply Chain Excellence
  • Chicken Farmers of Ontario – Burlington

• Excellence in Agri-Food Talent Recruitment
  • Jennefer Griffith, Food Processing Skills Canada – Ottawa

The Excellence in Agriculture program celebrates the outstanding work of individuals, businesses, and organizations across the province and shines a light on all the amazing things happening in the agriculture and food industry. This initiative supports a number of goals within the Grow Ontario Strategy, including strengthening Ontario’s agri-food supply chain, attracting and growing Ontario’s agri-food workforce, and increasing access to high-quality, local food.