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IN THIS ISSUE:

• AAC Agri-Food 2050 Survey
• Rapid Response to Business Development Initiative
• Veterinary Incentive Program
• AAC launches new website
• New AAC members
• AAC connects with industry leaders
• Men's mental health awareness month
• AAC 30th Anniversary Gala

AGRI-FOOD 2050 SURVEY: INPUT REQUESTED

What will Ontario’s agri-food sector look like in 2050?

A vibrant, innovative, and sustainable agriculture and food industry benefits all Ontarians, but achieving that future will require proactive and collaborative effort.

To help Ontario prepare for the challenges ahead, the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) launched Agri-Food 2050. This initiative aims to spark dialogue, build networks, and shape a shared vision for the future of agri-food in the province. At the heart of this conversation is a key question: What must we begin doing today to create the future we want?

To support this work, AAC convened a group of sector experts from across the value chain. Together, they identified key change drivers and developed three plausible scenarios for Ontario’s agri-food sector in 2050:

• An optimistic scenario featuring a globally competitive, sustainable, and technologically advanced sector enabled by strong policies and effective collaboration.

• A scenario in which the sector maintains the status quo, where some progress is achieved but systemic issues like labour shortages and slow adaptation of innovation and technology persists.

• A pessimistic scenario where our agri-food system is struggling with inadequate policy and direction, severe climate shock and growing food insecurity. 

These scenarios are shaped various drivers of change which have been grouped into five themes: 

• Economics: Access to capital, farming succession, increased global demand, trade disruptions, foreign ownership and takeovers

• Environment & Resources: Climate change, access to land and water, changing ecosystems

• Social Factors: Human resources, labour shortages, aging farming population, access to foreign workers, changing demographics and food demand, immigration and mental health

• Innovation & Technology: Automation, AI, genomics, research, commercialization

• Policy & Capacity for Change: Lagging systems, cross-sector planning, policy gaps, sector engagement, resistance to change, cultural adaptation, leadership

We are asking for input from our members to validate and prioritize the individual change drivers within each theme. Your responses will help identify where early, collective action is most needed and will directly inform the Agri-Food 2050 Event program which will be held on September 17th at the Brock Hotel in Niagara Falls.

We encourage all members to participate and lend their voice to this vital conversation. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes. Please share with your extended networks.

RAPID RESPONSE TO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

Looking to Grow Sales and Reach Global Buyers?

Eligible Ontario agri-food businesses can now access up to $10,000 in funding to support travel and meetings that drive export growth. This initiative helps companies pitch new products, close deals, and enter new markets.

This initiative is funded by Grand River Agricultural Society and administered by AAC helping Ontario businesses accelerate export success and tap into new markets.

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR THE VETERINARY INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Building a Healthy Livestock Sector in Ontario!

The Veterinary Incentive Program (VIP) provides up to $50,000, paid over a 5 year period, to newly licensed food animal veterinarians who practice in designated underserviced areas, or additional underserviced areas that are able to demonstrate the clients are underserviced in their geographic area. 

VIP serves as an incentive for veterinarians who choose to provide service to food animal producers in areas of Ontario with recognized veterinary access issues to help provide quality care to livestock producers. 

AAC LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

AAC MEMBERSHIP EXPANDS

AAC is pleased to welcome three new members this month, bringing our current membership to 64 organizations representing Ontario’s agri-food industry. 

These membership applications were approved by the AAC board in June. Ontario Harness Horse Association will be joining AAC’s livestock sector, National Farmers Union (Ontario) in the general farm interest category and the Rural Agri-Innovation Network joins other organizations.  

UPCOMING EVENTS FROM AAC MEMBERS

Ontario Sheep Farmers Field Day

Join Ontario Sheep Farmers for an exciting, hands-on event tailored to commercial sheep farmers and industry experts.

Farmers will be able to explore the latest technology and services designed to enhance sheep farming production and profits.

LEARN MORE

Breakfast on the Farm

Farm & Food Care is excited to welcome you to Apple Hill Lavender in Norfolk County!

Bring the whole family for a delicious, farm-fresh breakfast and an up-close look at how the farm operates.

LEARN MORE

AAC CONNECTIONS

Sarah Acchione, Secretary of AAC's Board of Directors, and Chantel Crockett, AAC Strategic Partnerships Manager had the pleasure of attending the Food and Beverage Ontario Annual Conference on May 28 at Steam Whistle Brewery. It was a great opportunity to connect with members of the industry and guests including Ontario's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, Trevor Jones.

MENS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

June is Men’s Mental Health Month.

It's a vital time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage open conversations around mental well-being, especially in the agricultural sector where stress and isolation can take a toll. At AAC, we recognize the importance of supporting the mental health of our farmers, workers, and industry partners.

Explore resources and tools to support yourself and others at domore.ag

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP AND PROGRESS

The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) is pleased to announce that we will be marking our 30th anniversary milestone with a gala event to celebrate three decades of leadership, collaboration, and service to Ontario’s agri-food sector.

This special event will honour the people, partnerships, and progress that have shaped AAC’s journey, and reaffirm our commitment to the future of agri-food in Ontario.

Details to come.