Ontario Celebrates Agricultural Excellence
2026 Excellence in Agriculture Awards honours province’s agri-food leaders
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
TORONTO — The Ontario government is celebrating the farmers, processors, industry organizations and businesses who help protect and strengthen Ontario’s agri-food sector. Presented at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the 2026 Excellence in Agriculture Awards honour seven winners and six honourable mentions whose contributions are advancing Ontario’s nearly $53 billion agri-food sector and helping build a more secure, sovereign and self-reliant food supply.
“The workers and innovators in Ontario’s agri-food sector are second to none, using world-class expertise and experience to bring fresh, nutritious and delicious food to tables across the province,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “These awards are a celebration of Ontario’s rich, multigenerational agricultural heritage being carried forward by the leaders of today, with a commitment to building a more secure and self-reliant agri-food sector for generations to come.”
The 2026 Minister’s Award recipient is Drone Spray Canada, of Blenheim, in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Founded in 2020, the company has emerged as a leader in agricultural drone technology, helping farmers improve efficiency, reduce crop damage and soil compaction and manage challenging field conditions through training, on-farm demonstrations and industry advocacy.
The Excellence in Agriculture Awards celebrate the sector’s economic strength, innovation, productivity, people and leadership. This year, the province is recognizing excellence in seven categories:
• Research and Innovation Excellence
• Agribusiness Excellence
• Education Excellence
• Urban Agriculture Excellence
• Northern Business Excellence
• Women’s Farming Excellence
• Farm Family Excellence
To help foster the next generation of farmers and agri-food workers, the province is investing $2.3 million over the next three years in 4-H Ontario. The funding will help 4-H continue to deliver youth engagement programs that help to prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders. This will help to strengthen Ontario’s skilled workforce and help ensure long-term growth, competitiveness, and resilience of the province’s agri-food sector.
“4-H Ontario is very appreciative of the continued support received from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness,” said Evelyn Chambers, Acting Executive Director, 4-H Ontario. “This funding will allow 4-H to continue to deliver opportunities for Ontario youth and develop the next workforce generation.”
Ontario’s agri-food sector supports more than 854,000 jobs across the province and continues to be a key driver of Ontario’s economy. From advancing sustainability to driving growth and innovation, the 2026 honourees are propelling Ontario’s agri-food industry toward a more sustainable and prosperous future. Through initiatives like the Grow Ontario Strategy, Ontario is supporting farmers, processors and agri-food businesses that continue to drive this growth and ensure a strong, sustainable sector for generations to come.
Quick Facts
• Ontario’s agriculture and food sector contributes nearly $53 billion to the provincial GDP and employs roughly 1 in 9 people across the province.
• The 2026 Excellence in Agriculture Awards accepted applications from July 20th, 2026, until September 4th, 2026.
• 4-H is a non-profit youth development organization that spans 10 provinces and 70 countries. 4-H Ontario has operated in Ontario for more than 100 years.
• For more information about OMAFA programs and services, contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or at ag.info.omafa@ontario.ca.
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Quotes
"Drone Spray Canada is incredibly honoured to receive this award for our involvement in bringing a new and innovative technology to agriculture. It has been many years working with countless stakeholders to ensure we can integrate drones into our agricultural practices. This allows growers to increase efficacy, decrease costs and ultimately generate better products. We are excited to continue to see this industry take-off."
- Drone Spray Canada
2026 Minister’s Award Winner
Additional Resources
• 2026 Excellence in Agriculture Award Recipients
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
• Excellence in Agriculture Awards
• 4-H Ontario •
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Spencer Fair 11/8/2026 |
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