Pure Flavor, a Canadian-owned greenhouse grower, hosted U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue earlier this fall at its Fort Valley, Georgia location. The former two-time Governor of Georgia is originally from Perry, located just 10 miles from the greenhouse.

Ontario apple grower Cathy McKay has been reappointed chair of CanadaGAP’s stakeholder advisory committee for 2020. It consists of volunteers who serve a technical role to the CanAgPlus board of directors.

The constant stream of traffic is a telling sign that Howe Family Farms got it right on its second farm market location near St. Thomas. Grower Kevin Howe is celebrating the 2019 Local Food Champion award given by the local MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London.

Nature Fresh Farms has announced that it’s transferring the keys to 36 acres, comprising Phase 1 and 2 greenhouses, to a new group of dedicated growers. The new business entity, Chosen Fresh Farms, is owned by Neil Enns, Ben Friesen, Abram Fehr and Peter Klassen.

It’s important to know who’s backing your crop protection products. In continuing fall-out from company mergers, some products such as Reason are changing hands.

Anthony Rota, Liberal MP for the Ontario riding of Nipissing-Timiskaming, was elected the new Speaker of the House as federal parliament resumed on December 5, 2019.

Systemic fungicide Cevya will be available for the 2020 crop year.

This column is to keep you informed about the key issues that the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) is tackling on behalf of Ontario’s fruit and vegetable farmers. 

 

Federal election

 

By now it will be difficult to ignore the media coverage, lawn signs and political posturing that comes along with elections. The OFVGA continues to remain engaged in issues related to the federal government, in partnership with the Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) and in our own activities.

 

Five new board members have joined the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity. Experience and breadth of knowledge of Canada’s food system adds to a dynamic board of 11.

This column is to keep you informed about the key issues that OFVGA is tackling on behalf of Ontario’s fruit and vegetable farmers.

 

Ontario Bill 132

 

The legislature resumed sitting in October and the provincial government announced its Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, legislation designed to reduce red tape across numerous provincial ministries. The OFVGA worked with its members and other associations to review and submit comments on a wide variety of proposed changes.