The Ontario government is celebrating the farmers, processors, industry organizations and businesses who helpprotect and strengthen Ontario’s agri-food sector. Presented at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the 2026 Excellencein Agriculture Awards honour seven winners and six honourable mentions whose contributions are advancing Ontario’snearly $53 billion agri-food sector and helping build a more secure, sovereign and self-reliant food supply.

“The workers and innovators in Ontario’s agri-food sector are second to none, using world-class expertise and experience to bring fresh, nutritious and delicious food to tables across the province,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Minister ofAgriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “These awards are a celebration of Ontario’s rich, multigenerational agriculturalheritage being carried forward by the leaders of today, with a commitment to building a more secure and self-reliant agri-food sector for generations to come.”

The 2026 Minister’s Award recipient is Drone Spray Canada, of Blenheim, in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.Founded in 2020, the company has emerged as a leader in agricultural drone technology, helping farmers improveefficiency, reduce crop damage and soil compaction and manage challenging field conditions through training, on-farm demonstrations and industry advocacy.

The Excellence in Agriculture Awards celebrate the sector’s economic strength, innovation, productivity, people and leadership. This year, the province is recognizing excellence in seven categories:

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• -  Research and Innovation Excellence
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• -  Agribusiness Excellence
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• -  Education Excellence
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• -  Urban Agriculture Excellence
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• -  Northern Business Excellence
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• -  Women’s Farming Excellence
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• -  Farm Family Excellence

To help foster the next generation of farmers and agri-food workers, the province is investing $2.3 million over the next three years in 4-H Ontario. The funding will help 4-H continue to deliver youth engagement programs that help to prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders. This will help to strengthen Ontario’s skilled workforce and help ensure long-term growth, competitiveness, and resilience of the province’s agri-food sector.

Minister’s Award

• Drone Spray Canada – Municipality of Chatham-Kent

Research and Innovation Excellence

• Drone Spray Canada - Municipality of Chatham-Kent

Agribusiness Excellence 

• Western Fair Association (The Grove) – County of Middlesex

Education Excellence 

• Ottawa Valley Seed Growers’ Association – City of Ottawa

Urban Agriculture Excellence 

• Cambridge Food Bank – Regional Municipality of Waterloo

Northern Business Excellence

• Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance – Temiskaming District 

Women’s Farming Excellence

• Janet Harrop – County of Wellington 

Farm Family Excellence

• Hy-Hope Farm – Regional Municipality of Durham 

2026 Honourable Mentions:

Research and Innovation Excellence

• Agriculture Environmental Renewal Canada (AERC) Inc – City of Ottawa
• SKB Biotechnologies Inc. – Regional Municipality of York

Agribusiness Excellence

• Elite Agri Solutions Inc – County of Middlesex 
• WOWButter Foods – County of Perth 

Education Excellence 

• Sandi Brock – County of Perth

   

Women’s Farming Excellence 

• L’Union Culturelle des Franco-Ontariiennes (UCFO) – United Counties of Prescott and Russel

Source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Agribusiness November 7, 2026 news release