Helping Farms and Food Processors in Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston Innovate and Expand Production

Press Release – Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP John Jordan

Ontario is partnering with the federal government to support four Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston agri-food businesses through the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative, which aims to enhance operational efficiencies and productivity:

• Tri-Yuill Farms will receive up to $100,000 for a robotic milking system and robotic manure collection for its dairy barn.

• Golden Maples Farm will receive up to $48,071.45 for the purchase of a high efficiency wood-fired evaporator with an innovative combustion and pan design.

• Indian Creek Orchard Gardens of Pakenham will receive up to $14,864 for a hybrid technology solution for smaller-scale controlled environment growers.

• Clarence Fulton Pure Maple Products of Almonte will receive up to $49,999 for its efficiency plan.

“By funding these projects, we are driving economic growth in the region,” said John Jordan, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston and PA to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “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).

“On behalf of the Yuill family, I would like to express our gratitude to the Ontario Government and in particular, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness for their support and investment in the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative as part of Canadian Agricultural Partnership,” said James Yuill, of Tri-Yuill Farms. “This initiative will help us through increased growth and productivity on our family dairy farm through the adoption of robotics. The adoption of the latest technology will assist in the modernization of our infrastructure which will help in the ever-increasing competitive dairy environment. We thank the Ford Government, the Honourable Rob Flack (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness) and MPP John Jordan (MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston) for their insight in understanding that agriculture and the farming community are at the heart of rural Ontario.”

Under the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative, applicants could receive up to 50 per cent of their eligible project costs, for investments of up to $100,000. For projects requiring a larger investment, applicants could receive up to 35 per cent of their eligible project costs, for up to $100,000 in funding.

For projects that improve energy efficiency at eligible businesses, cost share per centage and maximum funding available per business was up to 35 per cent cost-share up to $100,000.

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