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IN THIS ISSUE:

• JENN MACTAVISH TAKES HELM AT AAC
• AGRI-FOOD 2050 REPORT
• FUTURE HERD PODCAST
• APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR THE VETERINARY INCENTIVE PROGRAM
• NEW MARKET DIVERSIFICATION AND TRADE RESILIENCY PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
• AGSCAPE CELEBRATES MILESTONE

JENN MACTAVISH APPOINTED INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

AAC is pleased to announce the appointment of Jenn MacTavish as our Interim Executive Director.

Jenn steps into this role during a period of intentional organizational evolution and succeeds Melanie DiReto, who has been with the AAC for the last 20 years. Melanie will now transition into the full-time role of CEO for the AAC’s affiliated organization, Canlead Solutions. As Canlead reaches a critical growth milestone, this leadership restructure allows both organizations to dedicate focused executive oversight to their operations.The AAC is extremely grateful for the exceptional leadership and passion that Melanie brought to the organization over her tenure, including the past four years as Executive Director

Jenn's appointment ensures that the AAC maintains strong leadership and operational continuity during this period of evolution. With over 20 years experience in agricultural association management, Jenn is uniquely qualified to guide AAC through this transitional chapter.

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS PROGRESS, NEXT STEPS FOR AGRI-FOOD 2050 INITIATIVE

The AAC has launched an update on it's exciting Agri-Food 2050 Initiative. The report shares progress to date including the results of a foresighting exercise and an industry event last fall that identified critical themes that should be addressed with urgency. As interest and enthusiasm grows for future planning, the Agri-Food 2050 Initiative has outlined key next steps and opportunities for individuals and organizations to participate and become champions of change. Central to this will be the formation of a dedicated steering committee which will reflect the diversity and experience of our unique industry.

NEW PODCAST CREATES CONVERSATION AND COLLABORATION AROUND ONTARIO'S AGRI-FOOD FUTURE

The AAC and it's Agri-Food 2050 Initiative is partnering with a brand new podcast--the Future Herd, hosted by renowned futurist farmer, speaker and action designer, Jesse Hirsh.

Season one is launching this week and will feature interviews that explore how collective wisdom and adaptive leadership can help us navigate the profound transformations reshaping our food and agricultural systems.

Join conversations with farmers, innovators, policy makers and changemakers who are building resilient pathways forward. Agri-food 2050 themes, collaborators and champions will be featured in this first season.

Follow The Future Herd on your podcast platform of choice or listen via the website accessed with the link below. Happy listening!

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. 

MARKET DIVERSIFICATION AND TRADE RESILIENCY INITIATIVE

The Governments of Canada and Ontario have announced the launch of the new $20 million Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative to support market diversification and resiliency within domestic and international markets, with an emphasis placed on new and growing markets.

This initiative provides funding opportunities to primary producers and processors and includes three project categories:

• The Market Development and Diversification Implementation Planning
• Implement Market Development and Diversification
• Implementation of Equipment and Technology
• 
  

Application intake opens on February 17, 2026 and closes on March 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.

View Program Guidelines for more information and eligibility.

A LEGACY OF FOOD LITERACY: AAC MEMBER AGSCAPE TURNS 35

AgScape (formerly Ontario Agri-Food Education) is celebrating 35 years of advancing agriculture and food literacy in Ontario. Guided by a clear mission to inspire students and educators through engaging, curriculum-aligned learning, AgScape has grown into the province’s leading agri-food education organization.

AgScape relies on agri-food sector investment to deliver impactful programming. A key milestone was a 2012 grant from the Agriculture Adaptation Council (AAC), which helped launch the Teacher Ambassador Program (TAP).

TAP is a free Grades 4–12 program that brings skilled educators into classrooms across Ontario. Since 2011, TAP has delivered over 5,000 workshops, reaching more than 120,000 students and teachers, with a record 935 workshops delivered in 2025 alone.

TAP helps students explore food systems, sustainability, and careers in agriculture, while building critical thinking and connection to the sector. AgScape is inviting partners across the agri-food sector to join them in strengthening agriculture and food literacy for Ontario’s future.