Innovators in agriculture are being urged to apply to the 2019 Excellence in Agriculture program.
The provincial recognition initiative annually selects five agri-food producers in acknowledgement of their innovations and advancements that demonstrate leadership, product development, or technology advancement that benefits the sector.
Examples could include improved business practices, response to consumer demands, collaborations, environmental stewardship, food safety and traceability, and more.
This year, the province has introduced a new category to recognize outstanding youth leaders under the age of 29.
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The five categories include: primary producer/farmer, processor, agri-food organization, agri-food innovator, and youth.
The top innovation in each of the five categories will receive a plaque in recognition of their achievement and will be featured in a promotional video.
All recipients will have access to the Excellence in Agriculture wordmark to be used for marketing and promotional purposes, and up to 15 honourable mention recipients will receive a certificate.
In 2018, Slate River Dairy of Thunder Bay received an honourable mention after modifying a European butter churn to simultaneously churn butter and pasteurize milk. A Canadian first, the innovation reduced the amount of wasted product while increasing sales by 29 per cent over an eight-month period.
Applications can be submitted until Oct. 11, 2019.
