Excellence in Ag applications due Oct. 11

TORONTO — The Excellence in Agriculture awards has two new awards for this year’s submissions, including one for innovative young farmers.

The provincial Excellence in Agriculture Awards was launched earlier this year to replace the Liberal government’s Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence.

The new awards were given to one primary producer, one processor, and one agri-food organization, and six honourable mentions.

Two new ones have been added to the mix. One is focused specifically on innovation, while the youth one is for an innovative farmer under the age of 29 with a direct link to the agri-food sector. There will also be up to 15 honourable mentions.

Examples of innovative areas include: New production and processing methods; product development; responding to expanding consumer tastes; food safety and traceability; and education and marketing of the agriculture and food industry to society.

There is no monetary prize for winning an award.

Applications are due by Oct. 11 and can be found at https://omafra.secure.force.com/EIA/PA.