Agriculture & Food
Agriculture Advisory Board
The Norfolk County Agricultural Advisory Board was established to advise Council on matters pertaining to agricultural issues in Norfolk County. They help to develop alliances and partnerships to advance the County’s strategic plan and provide a forum for discussion and coordination of agricultural initiatives.
The Ontario South Coast Wineries & Growers Association
The Ontario South Coast Wineries & Growers Association are growers and wineries from three counties are working together to “cultivate a distinct and vibrant wine region in Ontario’s South Coast.” Their long term goal is to be a thriving South Coast wine region that achieves designated viticulture area (DVA) status.
Agricultural Innovation & Research
University of Guelph – Simcoe Research Station provides services focused on horticultural crop development from seed through to the end product. The main research focus areas are breeding and management of berry crops, apple physiology and management, vegetable weed management, vegetable production and physiology and alternative crops.
Interesting facts:
- The Simcoe Research Station celebrated its first 50 years on July 14, 2011.
- The Simcoe campus has an on-site weather station that has been maintained since 1962
- There are four outer-connected heated glasshouses connected to computers for controlled environmental studies
- The Simcoe Experiment Station has a unit of six cold storages for storing seeds and leafy products at high humidity
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Simcoe Resource Centre (OMAFRA)
Located just outside of Simcoe, OMAFRA is strategically focused on making Ontario’s agri-food industry and rural communities prosperous and competitive in the provincial, national and global economies. Their vision is to create “thriving rural Ontario, agriculture and food sectors, strong rural economies; safe food; healthy animals and a healthy environment.” Specialists at this location include New Crop Development, Ginseng and Medicinal Herbs, Integrated Pest Management (IPM)-Specialty Crops, Transition Crops, Horticulture Technology Application, Berry Crop Specialist, Pome Fruit integrated pest management, Fresh Market Quality Program and Water Quality Engineer.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Norfolk Land Stewardship Council’s (NLSC) is a project of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Its role is to provide a broad representation of Norfolk County, including landowners, land interest groups, agencies and associations. Together, these stakeholders identify and act on the needs of the community. The NLSC provides landowners with access to programs and funding sources to support their stewardship efforts.
Erie Innovations & Commercialization – Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association
Erie Innovation and Commercialization initiative is a broadly supported regional effort to transform the future of agriculture in the five county region of Ontario known as SCOR (South Central Ontario Region). The purpose is to pursue a regional approach to agricultural diversification to ensure economic stability and sustainability of the sector becoming a rural economic powerhouse in Ontario and Canada.
Ontario Ginseng Growers Association (OGGA)
Ontario Ginseng Growers Association (OGGA) is a non-profit organization of producers of Panax Quinquefloius (ginseng) who grow, harvest and sell the root. The Association supports research into new varieties, new production methods and harvesting advances. It also develops strategic marketing directions for the industry as a whole, while working with government partners and associations to develop a larger market for North American ginseng. There are more than 220 growers in the OGGA, accounting for the largest production of North American ginseng.
Ontario Asparagus Growers’ Marketing Board
The Ontario Asparagus Growers' Marketing Board in one of Ontario’s oldest marketing board, beginning in 1938. It is incorporated and a not-for-profit agricultural association under the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Act. This provides designated representation for all commercial asparagus growers in Ontario. The purpose of the board is to regulate marketing to processors, represent the growers and advocate for growers to industry and government agencies.
Norfolk Fruit Growers’ Association
Today’s consumers expect crisp, juicy apples year-round, regardless of where they live. Norfolk Fruit Growers’ Association makes this their commitment to continuously improve the quality and quantity of fruit and to make the processing systems as efficient for the farmers as possible. Norfolk Fruit Growers’ Association has over 100 years of expertise and is a well respected business. Their apples and pears are shipped worldwide.
Delhi Research Station
The Southern Crop Protection and Food Research Centre is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s national networks of research centres, the Delhi Research Station being one of their satellite locations. The research at this site helps bring a long-term commitment in crop protection research to the agri-food industry in southern Ontario. The scientists develop alternative and environmentally acceptable technologies to help with crop protection. Delhi currently supports research in the area of air, water and soil nutrients and integrated pest management.
For More information on Agriculture in Norfolk County visit www.norfolkfarms.com