The Ontario government is opening nominations for the 2025 Excellence in Agriculture Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations in the province’s world-class agri-food industry. These awards honour the farmers, food processors, businesses and industry organizations that are driving excellence, sustainability and long-term competitiveness in Ontario’s $51 billion agri-food industry.

“The Excellence in Agriculture Awards provide an opportunity to honour and celebrate our agri-food leaders,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Ontario’s world-class agri-food leadership and talent are what gives us the edge in a competitive global environment, and we look forward to recognizing their innovation and success.”

This year, the province will recognize agricultural excellence in 12 categories:

• Youth Excellence
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• Food Processing Excellence
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• Research and Innovation Excellence
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• Northern Business Excellence
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• Workforce Excellence
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• Women’s Excellence
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• Education Excellence
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• Supply Chain Excellence
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• Indigenous, Métis or Inuit-Owned Business or Community Excellence
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• Promotional Excellence
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• Farm Family Excellence
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• Urban Agriculture Excellence

Nominations are being accepted until September 2, 2025. You can submit a self-nomination or nominate another person or a business at ontario.ca/agrifoodinnovation.

The Excellence in Agriculture Awards support the province’s Grow Ontario Strategy by spreading awareness of Ontario-grown local food and encouraging people to choose high-quality, locally sourced food to support local farmers and businesses.

Source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Agribusiness July 10, 2025 news release