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- calendar_today November 7, 2026
Ontario's Agri-Food Champions Honoured
The Ontario government has celebrated outstanding achievements in the province's nearly $53 billion agri-food sector through the 2026 Excellence in Agriculture Awards. Presented at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, these awards honor the farmers, processors, businesses, and industry organizations that drive innovation, productivity, and food security across Ontario.
Highlighting Outstanding Innovation and Leadership
This year, seven winners and six honourable mentions were recognized for their significant contributions. The awards acknowledge both longstanding and emerging leaders who continue to uphold Ontario's rich multigenerational agricultural heritage while steering the sector toward a more secure and self-reliant future. Categories for the 2026 awards included:
- Research and Innovation Excellence
- Agribusiness Excellence
- Education Excellence
- Urban Agriculture Excellence
- Northern Business Excellence
- Women’s Farming Excellence
- Farm Family Excellence
Minister's Award Highlights Agricultural Innovation
The prestigious 2026 Minister’s Award was presented to Drone Spray Canada, based in Blenheim, within the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Founded in 2020, Drone Spray Canada has become a leader in agricultural drone technology, providing farmers with solutions to improve efficiency, reduce crop damage and soil compaction, and manage challenging field conditions. The company has contributed to the sector through training, on-farm demonstrations, and industry advocacy, emphasizing the importance of agricultural innovation in Ontario agriculture.
Investing in the Next Generation
In an effort to support future leaders in the agri-food industry, the provincial government announced a $2.3 million investment over three years in 4-H Ontario. This funding will help 4-H continue delivering youth engagement programs, equipping the next generation of farmers and processors with the skills needed for a resilient and competitive sector. Evelyn Chambers, Acting Executive Director of 4-H Ontario, expressed appreciation for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness's support, highlighting its critical role in developing Ontario's future agricultural workforce.
Economic Impact and Food Security
Ontario’s agriculture and food sector is a major driver of the provincial economy, contributing nearly $53 billion to Ontario’s GDP and supporting over 854,000 jobs—representing roughly one in nine workers. The ongoing efforts of the province’s agri-food leaders and programs like the Grow Ontario Strategy aim to enhance sustainability, ensure food security, and foster economic growth through sustainable farming and agricultural innovation.
Continued Commitment to Agri-Food Excellence
The 2026 Excellence in Agriculture Awards accepted applications from July 20 to September 4, 2026, reflecting broad interest from across the sector. With support for organizations like 4-H Ontario and a focus on recognizing excellence in urban, northern, and women-led farming, Ontario continues to build a strong foundation for sustainable, innovative, and prosperous ontario agriculture for present and future generations.
Source: news.ontario.ca.
