- Agri-Food 2050 Event Generates Enthusiasm For Sector Planning
- Kelly Duffy Youth Leadership Award
- AAC Celebrates 30th Anniversary
- Agri-Tech Innovation Success Story - Roothams Gourmet Preserves
- AAC Funding Programs Survey
- Veterinary Incentive Program
- AAC Member Events This Fall
| | ENERGY, IDEAS HIGHLIGHT INAUGURAL AGRI-FOOD 2050 EVENT | | |
Industry recognizes urgency, need for cross-sectoral collaboration
On September 17th, 125 agri-food leaders from across Ontario gathered at the Brock Hotel in Niagara Falls for the inaugural Agri-Food 2050 Event. Participants included primary producers, food processors, agri-business leaders, researchers, students, rural organizations and government decision makers, representing the full span of our diverse sector.
The event featured a thought-provoking keynote from "futurist-turned-farmer", Jesse Hirsch, setting the tone for an inspiring day of breakout sessions and panel discussions.
Agri-Food 2050 is the start of a long-term commitment by the AAC to create a space for Ontario's agri-food industry to identify priorities and collaborate on initiatives that will prepare Ontario's food system for the future. A conference report and next steps will be announced later this fall.
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Agri-Food 2050 Event Sponsors
Farm Credit Canada
University of Guelph
Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst,/Toronto Metropolitan University
Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council
Ontario Harness Horse Association
Conservation Ontario
MacGregor Marketing & Communications
4-H Ontario
Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario
| | KELLY DUFFY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD | | |
Are you pursuing further education, skills development or leadership training in Agri-food?
The Agricultural Adaptation Council has launched the Kelly Duffy Youth Leadership Award to support youth leadership in Ontario’s agri-food sector. This award honours Kelly Duffy, a long-serving AAC board member whose dedication and passion for agriculture left a lasting impact on the sector.
This award will provide $5,000 annually to help an aspiring agri-food leader build skills and knowledge that benefit the sector. The award recognizes individuals who reflect Kelly’s values: leadership, global awareness, passion for agri-food, and integrity.
AAC member organizations are invited to nominate youth pursuing education, training or professional development in the agri-food sector. The deadline for AAC member organizations to submit the nomination and for applicants to submit their application form is Friday, November 14, 2025. The inaugural award will be presented at AAC’s Annual General Meeting in December 2025, and the recipient will also receive a one-year ex-officio position on the AAC Board of Directors for mentorship and leadership experience.
| | FRIENDS AND FIREWORKS MARK AAC'S 30TH ANNIVERSAY | | |
The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) marked a milestone with a gala evening in Niagara Falls to celebrate our 30th anniversary. Members, stakeholders, and government officials joined us for an evening of reflection, connection, and celebration of the individuals who have shaped AAC over the years.
A highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Kelly Duffy Leadership Award, created to inspire and support the next generation of leaders who embody Kelly’s passion, commitment, and values within Ontario’s agri-food sector and beyond.
We were honoured to welcome Senator Rob Black and Ontario's Minister for Rural Affairs, Lisa Thompson, who shared their remarks and recognized AAC’s 30 years of service to Ontario’s agri-food industry.
A heartfelt thank you to our event sponsors: Chicken Farmers of Ontario, Grain Farmers of Ontario, Beef Farmers of Ontario, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Harness Horse Association, and MacGregor Communications—for helping make this celebration possible.
| | ROOTHAMS GOURMET: COOKING UP GROWTH FOR ONTARIO FOOD BUSINESSES | | |
Guelph-based Roothams Gourmet Preserves has been crafting Canadian-made jams, sauces, and relishes for over 40 years while supporting local farmers and food entrepreneurs. Today, Roothams co-packs products for about 70 Canadian food businesses and helps farmers turn surplus produce into market-ready goods.
To meet growing demand, Roothams expanded production with support from the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII), a federal-provincial program that helps food processors boost capacity and energy efficiency. The funding allowed the company to install a fully integrated, automated filling system—doubling output and increasing productivity by 40%.
This investment supports Ontario’s Grow Ontario Strategy, helping local food businesses compete globally and strengthening the province’s agri-food sector.
| | 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. | | AAC PROGRAM FUNDING SURVEY | | |
Your insights are invaluable in helping us enhance funding program delivery!
As a program delivery agent, we are committed to continuously improving how we deliver funding. To support this goal, we are gathering feedback from a wide range of stakeholders. We want to hear about your experiences—whether positive or challenging—with funding programs. Your input will help us understand what’s working well and where we can do better.
We want to hear from everyone—whether you have extensive experience with funding programs or have never applied before.
The survey contains 15 questions and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
| | 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.
| | UPCOMING EVENTS FROM AAC MEMBERS | | |
Ontario Harvest Gala
Attend Farm & Food Care Ontario Ontario's Harvest Gala on November 27, 2025, in Guelph for an event celebrating the harvest and excellence across all sectors of Ontario agriculture.
LEARN MORE
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2025 OFA Annual General Meeting
Save the date for the Ontario Federation of Agricultures' AGM this year. The event features networking with farmers and industry stakeholders, debating resolutions, voting on leadership elections and, listening to engaging speakers.
LEARN MORE
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The Biology of Condemnations Producer Workshop
Veal Farmers of Ontario is hosting a producer workshop to provide insights into organ condemnations and their impact on herd health, feeding efficiency, and overall production.
LEARN MORE
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Beef Farmers of Ontario and OMAFA Fall Beef Webinar Series
Join the OMAFA Beef Team this October and November for the Beef is ON Fall Beef Webinar Series. This years’ sessions will discuss bale grazing, soil fertility, bull selection and marketing options for your calves.
LEARN MORE
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Notice
AGRICULTURAL ADAPTATION COUNCIL
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(Virtual)
Thursday, December 4, 2025
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Contact us at info@adaptcouncil.org with any questions
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