The Ontario government is proactively organizing more COVID-19 testing of seasonal workers. The Niagara and Norfolk regions are priorities in July. It’s a particularly busy time with yellow plum harvest to start July 15 and peaches a week later. 

Brock University has transitioned its popular cider and perry production foundation course to an online format. 

The Canadian Visa Application Centre in Mexico has temporarily ceased operations and quarantined all staff due to COVID-19. The Western Agricultural Labour Initiative notified its members July 3.

Canlead Solutions is an administrative business service provider focused on supporting the Canadian agriculture and food sector. The non-profit organization shares space with the Agricultural Adaptation Council in Guelph, Ontario, but is governed by a separate board. 

PMRA has granted label expansion of Pylon miticide-insecticide for chili and onion thrips in greenhouse ornamentals. The product also suppresses pests in greenhouse fruiting crops/cucumbers. 

Nature Fresh Farms, one of Canada’s largest vegetable greenhouses, is dealing with the unprecedented loss of access to its entire workforce due to 28% testing positive for COVID-19. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has ordered these workers -- almost all are asymptomatic -- to self-isolate until mid-July. 

In terms of regional development, the project to expand irrigable land west and south of Lake Diefenbaker has no parallel in Saskatchewan. Up to 500,000 of irrigable acres will be added in the next 10 years – double the current number. 

Farm & Food Care Ontario has released a timely video with Erin McLean as host of her family’s strawberry farm near Lakefield, Ontario.

The Ontario government has announced a faster process for growers applying for financial assistance to defray costs of personal protective equipment. Project costs on or after March 15, 2020 are now eligible.