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IN THIS ISSUE:

• AAC DELIVERS SUCCESSFUL INCREASING DEADSTOCK CAPACITY INITIATIVE
• AAC SUPPORTS PROGRESS OF CANADA'S FIRST AGRI-FOOD SCIENCE CENTRE
• SHAPING THE FUTURE OF AGRI-FOOD: AGRI-FOOD 2050 REPORT AND NEXT STEPS
• THE FUTURE HERD PODCAST: TUNE IN AND EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF AGRI-FOOD
• PROVINCIAL VETERINARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM UPDATES
• AAC MEMBER NEWS AND EVENTS

AAC DELIVERS SUCCESSFUL DEADSTOCK CAPACITY INITIATIVE

Increasing Deadstock Capacity Initiative strengthens Ontario’s livestock sector

The Increasing Deadstock Capacity Initiative (IDCI) was launched in 2023 to support projects that increase Ontario’s capacity to collect, transport, and dispose of deadstock. Through cost-share funding and program promotion administered through Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC), the initiative helped farmers and businesses invest in equipment, infrastructure, and planning activities to improve the province’s deadstock management system.

AAC SUPPORT FOR CANADA'S FIRST AGRI-FOOD SCIENCE CENTRE

Moriyama Teshima Architects presented an overview of the newly developed concept designs for

this one-of-a-kind Agri-Food Science Centre.

AAC is proud to support the Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre with an investment in pre-capital expenses approved by its board of directors in May 2025 Progress continues in the development of what will be Canada’s first ag science centre, with the architectural concept design unveiled at an event in Listowel on March 3, 2026--drawing an enthusiastic crowd of dignitaries, politicians, industry stakeholders and project champions.

The Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre will be a destination for learning and play, showcasing the innovation and importance of the agriculture and agri-food sector. This STEM-based centre will offer hands-on exhibits and experiences focused on agri-food, agri-technology, agri-tourism and more.

First announced in 2020, the project has advanced steadily – from a regional feasibility study, to the formation of a non-profit organization in 2021, achieving charitable status in 2022, and now the unveiling of its concept design. With this milestone reached, the organization is now preparing to launch a capital fundraising campaign to move the project into its next phase.

Support for the Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre will be key to bringing this first-of-its-kind facility to life – connecting consumers with agriculture, supporting education, and inspiring future careers, while highlighting the sector’s critical role in Ontario’s economy and food security.

Visit www.oafdc.ca to learn more.

OAFDC funding partners attend the official design unveiling at the Listowel Golf Club, March 3rd 2026.

Left to right: AAC Communications Manager, Peter Katona, AAC Board Member Joost van der Heiden, Heather Robinson, Gay Lea, Steve Dolson OAFDC Chair.

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF AGRI-FOOD: 2050 NEXT STEPS REPORT

AAC'S inaugural Agri-Food 2050 event in Niagara Falls, brought together leaders from across Ontario’s agri-food sector to envision the future. The event generated valuable dialogue, helping industry leaders prioritize the critical forces shaping agri-food resilience. It generated industry-wide commitment to plan for the future, envisioned action groups to tackle key issues and opportunities, and energized participants around what’s possible for Ontario’s agri-food sector.

Building on the insights and direction from this event, “levers of influence” were identified. These levers of influence are areas with the greatest potential to drive meaningful change across economics, environment, policy, and innovation – to guide the sector’s long-term strategy. The levers were analyzed and ranked by priority, urgency and potential impact with the top four being:



1. Access to capital and land: financing models for young and diverse farmers.
2. Perception shift and public narrative: rebranding agriculture as high-skilled and innovative.
3. Policy productivity and food sovereignty: viewing Canadian agri-food as a strategic asset.
4. Value chain resilience and localization: building local production and processing capacity.

The AAC is now creating strategies to put ideas into action and will be creating working groups to tackle these four priority areas. These strategies are outlined in the Agri-Food 2050 Report which outlines progress made by the initiative, industry participation and a series of next steps to help craft a road map for the sector to address emerging challenges and opportunities.

Interested in learning more, or want to get involved?

Check out the Agri-Food 2050 report to explore the priorities and insights shaping the sector. And, if you’re interested in contributing to these initiatives, consider joining an AAC working group. Contact 2050@adaptcouncil.org to get involved.

TUNE IN AND EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF AGRI-FOOD

The Future Herd Podcast explores the big questions shaping the future of agriculture and food. Through conversations with farmers, food processors, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, it tackles the challenges and trends driving the future of agri-food. New episodes are launching weekly so make sure you check in often!

Why tune in? Because the challenges facing agriculture today are complex – and solving them takes new thinking and collaboration across the sector. AAC is a proud partner of the Future Herd podcast that brings those perspectives together, helping spark ideas and conversations that will shape the future of agri-food.

Check out the Future Herd podcast here: thefutureherd.ca.

PROVINCIAL VETERINARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM UPDATES

In February 2026, the Ontario government announced changes to the Veterinary Assistance Program (VAP) to better support livestock producers in Northern and rural Ontario. The refreshed program expands eligibility to more vets and registered veterinary technicians, adds honeybees and fish as eligible livestock, and increases compensation rates – including telemedicine.

These changes are focused on making it easier for producers to access veterinary care, keep herds healthy, and stay competitive.

In addition to VAP, the Ontario government also supports access to veterinary services through its Veterinary Incentive Program (VIP). The program, delivered by AAC, provides grants of up to $50,000 over five years to newly licensed veterinarians practicing in underserviced areas of Ontario that provide care to animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and poultry.

Applications are now open for VIP and are available here: www.adaptcouncil.org/programs/vip.

AAC MEMBER NEWS AND EVENTS