Sarnia-Lambton, ON – Lambton farmers are reaping rewards for their innovation. Seven of the 17 regional winners of the 2009 Premier’s Awards for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence, announced June 15th, were from Lambton County.
As regional winners, Buurma Farms, Warwick Township; Cedarview Farms, St. Clair Township; Enniskillen Pepper Company Ltd., Enniskillen Township; Forest Glen Herb Farm, Municipality of Lambton Shores; Konzelmann Farms Inc., Town of Plympton-Wyoming; Lambton County 4-H Safety Club, Wallaceburg; and Tony Noorloos, Sarnia are each recipients of $5,000.
Innovations to equipment include a modified spreader for biosolid pellets, an improved compost turner, a better cattle shute, the invention of a grain extrication rescue tool, and a new system to increase greenhouse sun exposure. Eco-friendly wool products and a unique collection of over 1,500 varieties of herbs round out Lambton’s eclectic mix of winners.
“It’s no surprise that so many of the recipients are from Lambton,” commented Lambton County Warden Jim Burns. Agriculture is our second-largest industry because of innovative and hard-working farmers like these.”
“Wow! This recognition is like winning the Agriculture Academy Awards and sweeping the show. A real tribute to those innovators in Lambton County whose vision and hard work are building a better Sarnia-Lambton and Ontario,” noted Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, Chair of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership.
The awards are part of a $2.5 million, five-year provincial program, now in its fourth year, recognizing innovators in Ontario’s agri-food sector. In 2009 a total of fifty-five regional winners across the province were designated. Leamington Area Drip Irrigation Inc. of Essex County won the Premier’s Award and Tigchelaar Berry Farms Inc. of the Niagara Region won the Minister’s Award.
Additional information about the winning innovations can be found here. Access the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s media release here.
For further information contact:
Anne Donohoe, Agriculture / Rural Development Consultant
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
anne@www.sarnialambton.on.ca
519-332-1820