Helping Farms and Food Processors in Oxford Innovate and Expand Production

November 20, 2024

WOODSTOCK – Ontario is partnering with the federal government to support 14 local agri-food businesses through the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative, which aims to enhance operational efficiencies and productivity:

P.H. Kuivenhoven Greenhouses in Otterville will receive up to $100,000 for a hydrangea grader
Schep’s Bakeries Ltd in Norwich will receive up to $100,000 for a filling technology innovation initiative
Streef Produce in Princeton will receive up to $100,000 for an automated poly potato packer
David Ysselstein of Woodstock will receive up to $100,000 for a manure drying system to improve efficiency and growth
2026096 Ontario Inc in Otterville will receive up to $91,175 to incorporate automation for feeding systems
Sedum Master Inc in Princeton will receive up to $100,000 to implement autonomous, electric laser weeding technology
Compass Dairy Farms Ltd in Mount Elgin will receive up to $100,000 for automating dairy hygiene for enhanced efficiency
Donron Farms Ltd in Woodstock will receive up to $53,228 to implement a heat exchanger for improved efficiency
Maple Lane Dairy Farms Inc of Woodstock will receive up to $77,709 for automated on-farm robot feed manufacturing
Joosse Holdings Inc of Woodstock will receive up to $35,052 to automate egg processing for increased efficiency and competitiveness
Rocks Mill Farms in Tillsonburg will receive up to $100,000 for an innovative asparagus harvester to revolutionize efficiency
Roelofsen Nursery Ltd of Otterville will receive up to $49,350 for an electric self-propelled sprayer for field nursery crops
Providence Farms of Norwich will receive up to $48,300 for camera-guided AI weed control technology
Hammer Lane Farming Ltd in LaSalette will receive up to $100,000 for a fully integrated optical grading line

“By funding these projects in Oxford, we are driving economic growth in the region,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford. “I look forward to the positive ripple effects this will have throughout our local communities.”

The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative will support 319 farming and agribusinesses across the province through an investment of up to $22.6 million. Funding will be used to help them invest in innovative technology, equipment or processes that will increase their resiliency, productivity and efficiency.

“Our government knows that supporting innovation in Ontario’s agriculture and food sector is key to it reaching its potential, while securing our collective ability to achieve the ambitious goals in our Grow Ontario Strategy,” said Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “These investments will allow established and emerging businesses to speed up efforts to optimize their operations and support growth for our agriculture and food sector.”

The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative was developed following discussions with Ontario’s farming and agribusiness industry. It is part of a series of initiatives the government has implemented to support these businesses and is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

Approved projects are to be completed by the end of 2027.