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IN THIS ISSUE:

• Haven Greens flourishes with agri-tech funding
• New Farm Food 360 tours launch at Royal Winter Fair
• Apply to Veterinarian Incentive Program
• AAC now on Facebook and Instagram
• Upcoming events from AAC's member network

HAVEN GREENS: FROM KING CITY TO YOUR KITCHEN

Haven Greens in King City is transforming how Ontarians access fresh, sustainable leafy greens year-round. With support from the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII), Haven Greens planted its first crop in its new facility in February 2025.

Founder and CEO Jay Willmot sought a uniquely Canadian solution to challenges in the leafy greens category and found it in a greenhouse system that blends natural sunlight and airflow with precision hydroponics and automation. The solution, an automated, hands-free growing process, using AI-driven systems to optimize production, the first of its kind in Canada. The result is increased productivity: up to 25 to 30 times more dense than traditional field farming, producing more than 100 kilograms of leafy greens per square metre per year.

ATII funding accelerated the company’s path to full operation, enabling the creation of more than 30 jobs and securing consistent buyers for 17 of 20 production lines within six months, with Haven Greens now supplying major retailers.

The full success story is available to read on our website here.

The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative is delivered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council and funded in part by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

FARM AND FOOD 360

Discover the story behind Ontario’s food—right from your screen.

The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) is celebrating its partnership with Farm and Food Care Ontario (FFCO) to support AAC member organizations in enhancing consumer trust in Ontario-grown and prepared food.

Through the AAC Membership FarmFood360 Program, AAC is funding up to 50% of the cost for its members to produce a FarmFood360 project, helping them promote their commodity or industry. FarmFood360 is a unique outreach initiative that creates virtual tours showcasing the farm and food production process.

These immersive 360-degree videos, allow viewers to experience real Ontario farms and food businesses without leaving their home or classroom. The program also includes the creation of additional videos addressing critical consumer concerns such as animal welfare, food production technology, food safety, and labour practices within the agri-food industry.

FFCO produced the first FarmFood360 in 2016, with funding from the Canada-Ontario Research and Development Program (CORD), delivered by AAC. Since then, nearly 30 virtual reality farm tours have been created. These immersive tours have become invaluable resources for educators and are now attracting more than 1 million visitors annually.

AAC is pleased to announce three new virtual tours that were created over the the summer of 2025 by AAC members Ontario Apple Growers, Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers, and Grain Farmers of Ontario. These new tours were showcased at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair earlier this month. These new educational assets join other projects by Ontario Berry Growers, Ontario Ginseng Growers, Sheep Farmers of Ontario and Chicken Farmers of Ontario--all being available for viewing on the AAC website or Farm and Food Care Ontario's site, farmfood360.ca

The AAC is thrilled to support this important program and partnership, advancing Ontario’s agricultural sector, strengthening consumer confidence in the Ontario food system, and providing valuable support to our members.

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. 

FOLLOW THE AAC ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Join our growing online community to receive timely updates, helpful resources, and stories that celebrate innovation and resilience in Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food sector.

This year we're celebrating our 30th anniversary, and to commemorate this milestone were sharing all of the AAC's achievements on our social media. Follow along and get a front row seat to AAC's history.

Click one of the buttons below and follow us on social media!

UPCOMING EVENTS FROM AAC MEMBERS

EFAO Conference: Pathways to Prosperity

EFAO’s Annual Conference draws farmers, growers, and food producers from across the food system for two days of intensive learning, idea-sharing, networking and celebration with good food and friends.

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CFFO Education Days

Join CFFO for CFFO Education Day--a fun day filled with lots of learning and networking opportunities. Don't miss out on the chance to connect with industry experts and fellow farmers. 

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DFO: Annual General Meeting

Celebrate a milestone with the Dairy Farmers of Ontario on January 13-15, 2026 at Toronto’s beautiful Fairmont Royal York Hotel! Join us for our Annual General Meeting, an event filled with inspiration, connection and celebration of achievements of the dairy industry.

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ROMA: Ontario's Rural Leaders Conference

The ROMA Conference is an essential way to begin 2026. A new year that we anticipate will bring an evolving political landscape. Don't miss out on conference programming, and connecting with peers and exclusive workshops.

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