February 2023 Newsletter

OPVG Newsletter

February 2023 Edition

Congratulations on a banner year!

 

Growers continue to demonstrate their huge commitment and investment in a healthy processing vegetable sector in Ontario. In 2022, your dedication to the industry and your operations returned approximately $145 million in total farm gate sales – the highest recorded level in OPVG history. Congratulations on growing Ontario agriculture.

AGM set for March 30 in London

 

Join us for OPVG’s 2023 Annual General Meeting.

 

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Four Points Sheraton, London – Bristol Room

8:00 am – 1:00 pm

(includes breakfast and lunch)

 

Don’t miss our two keynote presentations – a 2023 Economic Forecast from

TD Securities and information on the proposed new Grocery Code of Conduct. 

 

We’ll also have bursary winners, board and financial reports, resolutions plus Hon. Lisa Thompson – Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Amy Cronin – Chair of Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission.

 

Watch your email for more details and registration information.

Negotiation news

Here’s the latest on negotiations. Can-Am Pepper Company Ltd. have reached an agreement for hand and machine harvest cucumbers. Nortera crop negotiations started in late January and will continue over the next few months for green peas, green and wax beans, lima beans, sweet corn and squash.

 

If you have any questions, or did not receive an agreement, contact the OPVG office. 

Do you have input for the negotiation teams?

 

As we start to think about 2023 crop negotiations, we’re looking for your input. You probably already received an email with a negotiations recap from 2022 for the crop you grow – and we’d love to hear from you regarding this year’s process.

 

  • What are your thoughts regarding pricing for 2023?
  • What issues did you encounter during the season that the committee should be aware of?
  • Are there any terms and conditions you feel should be addressed?

 

Grower input is very helpful during the negotiation process and the negotiating teams value your feedback. Please send your feedback to the OPVG office at opvg@opvg.org

Plan to be in in Chatham on March 1 for the 47th annual Tomato Day, hosted by District 1.

 

2023 Tomato Day

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

John D. Bradley Centre, Chatham

9:00 am – 4:00 pm

 

There will be regional updates, discussion of current production practices, research highlights, a tradeshow and hot lunch. Watch your inbox for an email with more information and an online registration link.

 

$30 per person admission fee will be collected at the door (cash or cheque).

Membership matters for good governance

We’re proud to represent the diverse and dynamic processing vegetable industry in Ontario since 1946. Our sector of Canadian agriculture contributes more than $98 million in gross annual sales from nine crops. We’re highlighting the ways we serve our industry in this newsletter feature, focusing on good governance in this issue.

OPVG’s Board of Directors work on your behalf to represent the processing vegetable industry. And part of that work includes setting policy for the common good of the industry and all growers – it’s all part of the overall governance responsibility that Directors sign on for as part of their roles and responsibilities. Directors also oversee the three District Committees of OPVG and provide funding through grants to assist in local activities and promotion. You can read more about governance in OPVG’s Strategic Plan. 

2023 research funding approved

 

Each year, research priorities are identified by the Ontario Tomato Research Institute (OTRI), Ontario Cucumber Research Committee (OCRC) and Pea/Bean/Corn Research Committee. These groups meet to review proposals and make funding recommendations for Board consideration.

 

The Board recently approved the following 2023 research funding:

  • $39,775 for tomato research
  • $45,032 for cucumber research
  • $73,758 for research in carrots, peas, corn, green and wax beans and lima beans

 

2022 research reports can be found on the OPVG website.

Take the OMAFRA survey on mental health programs

 

OMAFRA would like your input on the three provincially-funded mental health programs in Ontario: the Farmer Wellness Initiative, the Guardian Network and In The Know. All three programs are available to farmers and farm families in Ontario and OMAFRA is conducting an anonymous survey to assess overall awareness of the services available. The survey is open until February 15 and you can link to it here.

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