Premier's Agri-Food Innovation Award up for grabs

By Gary Sliworsky
OMAF/MRA Rep.

The Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Program encourages the development of our rural communities, farms, agri-food processors and agri-food organizations by adding value to existing products, creating jobs and driving economic growth.
The program recognizes up to 45 Regional Award recipients across the province who receive a plaque and a gate sign, as well as a cash prize of $5,000; three Leaders in Innovation Awards (valued at $25,000 each); one Minister’s Award (valued at $50,000); and one Premier’s Award (valued at$75,000).
Award recipients will also receive use of the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence wordmark to support their marketing efforts.

WHO CAN APPLY?
A farmer, primary producer, processor, or an agri-food organization are all eligible for recognition under this initiative.
This awards program is not intended for the research community.
Applicants must be in compliance with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal legislation that apply to the operation of the innovation.
Applicants from previous years may re-submit an innovation that was not recognized with an award.
Previous award recipients are eligible to submit a new project for consideration.

ELIGIBLE INNOVATIONS
Examples of innovation areas include, but are not limited to:
improved business practices
response to consumer demands (e.g. new product development, value added, marketing, strategic alliances, local food)
environmental stewardship
health and safety
energy and bio-economy
food safety and traceability
education and marketing of the agriculture and food industry to society

DEADLINE
This year’s applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014. Eligible applications will be reviewed by two independent panels comprised of a cross-section of Ontario’s agri-food industry.
A copy of the Program Guidebook and Application Form, as well as information on previous award recipients is available at www.ontario.ca/agrifoodinnovation or by calling 1-877-424-1300.

Events to Remember
Jan 23 RR Cattlemens’ Association Annual General Meeting, 7:00 pm, Our Lady of the Way School, Stratton