Growing Ontario Solutions 2024/25
Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance Annual Report
The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance brings together the University of Guelph, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario to deliver solutions for Ontario's agri-food sector and rural communities.
Together, we invest more than $200 million annually in the sector, delivering world-class research, innovation, training and laboratory capacity while charting a vibrant, sustainable path for the future of Ontario agri-food.
Explore Growing Ontario Solutions, the stories of the people, places and programs delivering a strong economy, a skilled workforce, innovative solutions, and safe, healthy food for Ontario.
Amplifying Investment for Ontario's Agri-Food Sector
- $72 million
- invested by the Government of Ontario
- $137 million
- leveraged and invested by U of G
- 3x amplification
- of Ontario's investment, resulting in $209M for the agri-food sector
Working Together to Protect Ontario
Dr. Rene Van Acker, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Guelph
For 150 years, the University of Guelph and Ontario’s agri-food sector have grown together. What began as a partnership rooted in agriculture has evolved into a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, greater productivity, and prosperity.
Trevor Jones, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
The Government of Ontario is investing in research and innovation to ensure farmers and business owners have the most modern solutions to protect Ontario, remain competitive against tariffs and ensure families continue to enjoy high-quality Ontario-made food.
That commitment is embodied in the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a partnership between the Government of Ontario and the University of Guelph that connects research, innovation, and talent to the real-world needs of Ontario’s agri-food sector.
Together, we invest more than $200 million each year to support people who grow our food, run agribusinesses, and sustain rural economies. This work contributes an estimated $1.4 billion to Ontario’s economy annually and strengthens an industry that generates over $51 billion.
Behind these numbers are people: producers, researchers, students, and partners whose dedication drives discovery and growth. Through their work, the Alliance turns ideas into impact, ensuring that Ontario’s agri-food sector and the more than 870,000 Ontarians it employs, remains strong, resilient, and ready for the future.
Part of that commitment is our long-standing partnership in the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the Government of Ontario, Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario and the University of Guelph, representing hundreds of millions of dollars of investment and contributions to Ontario’s economy.
Supporting agri-food research and helping farmers and businesses adopt new innovations are key drivers in achieving the goals of the province’s Grow Ontario Strategy. These investments make Ontario a continued leader in the agri-food sector through new technologies and practices that help businesses grow and stay competitive.
Our government will continue to ensure Ontario’s agri-food sector remains globally competitive, expand into new markets and create opportunities for growth as well as support the people whose hard work drives this success. Growing Ontario Solutions reflects that commitment and the creativity of those leading the way.
Research for Resilience
Through proactive, solutions-focused research and laboratory services, the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance makes Ontario more resilient to disease and climate threats and works to keep our food safe and secure.
Because of highly pathogenic avian influenza, nearly 150 million poultry in the United States and over 14 million poultry in Canada have been culled since 2021. Alliance-supported U of G research is working to predict, prevent and contain the virus.
Digital tools are transforming agriculture—but greater connectivity brings greater cyber risk. Alliance-funded research helps farmers and agri-food businesses stay secure by delivering solutions that build resilience against emerging digital threats.
Healthy soils are key to Ontario’s farming future—boosting productivity, profitability, and sustainability. Discover how more than 15 years of Alliance-funded research is transforming soil health to protect Ontario’s environment and communities for future generations.
Strengthening the Agri-Food Economy
Through research, innovation, skills development and market-driven laboratory services, the Alliance drives growth and competitiveness across Ontario’s $51-billion agri-food sector. The following stories are examples of how the Alliance people, places and programs strengthen the sector.
Dynasty Red Kidney Bean Developed at the Ontario Crops Research Centre Wins Innovation of the Year Award
- About 1,000 Ontario farmers grow 120,000 acres of edible dry beans, including red kidney beans like Dynasty.
- Dynasty increases yields by 15 per cent compared to other red kidney bean varieties, returning an estimated $250 more per acre for Ontario growers.
- Dynasty accounts for 50 to 60 per cent of all dark red kidney bean acreage in North America, delivering an economic boost to growers.
- Dynasty is one of 12 bean varieties available for licensing from U of G.
Growing a Skilled Agri-Food Workforce
Through the Alliance, U of G delivers hands-on training to prepare Ontario’s next generation of agri-food leaders with the skills and expertise they need to meet evolving sector demands.
Training Ontario's Next Agri-Food Data Leaders
- Agriculture is increasingly driven by technology and underpinned by data.
- The Alliance is working with Agri-Food Data Canada to train the next generation of leaders who understand how to succeed in a strong, data-driven agri-food sector.
- Students build skills in data analysis, programming and organization.
- Good data is accessible to future researchers and can be leveraged by technology like apps and artificial intelligence.
Innovating for Ontario's Farmers
Alliance researchers deliver innovations that directly benefit farmers, with projects focused on improving soil health, climate adaptation, mental health in agriculture, and crop and livestock disease prevention.
How Academic-Private Partnerships Are De-Risking Agri-Tech for Ontario Farmers
- U of G’s Dr. Joshua Nasielski is testing a new planter attachment with Ontario ag-tech company Susterre Technologies Inc.
- The connection was made by U of G’s Research Innovation Office to help assess if the new technology will work on Ontario farms.
- Field tests at the Ontario Crops Research Centre – Winchester show improved seed placement and more plants per acre.
- If successful, Ontario’s 28,000 grain farmers will have a new tool to support soil health and boost yields through no-till planting.
Securing a Safe, Healthy, Ontario Food Supply
The Alliance plays a vital role in protecting Ontario’s food system and public health. With world-class laboratory services, research and innovation, the Alliance helps secure a safe, healthy food supply chain for Ontario.
U of G Invention Kills Food Pathogens in Seconds – Without Water or Pesticides
- Ten years ago, Dr. Keith Warriner saved candy apples.
- His “clean” food safety solution doubled shelf-life and boosted sales of caramel apples tenfold, leading to the creation of the standalone company Clean Works.
- Clean Works technology kills 99.99 per cent of pathogens, with no toxins left behind.
- Two hundred studies validate its safety and efficacy.
- After more than 15 years of development, new applications are still being discovered, like protecting wine grapes from mildew.
By the Numbers
Delivering Research for a Resilient Agri-Food Sector
- 90 new, demand-driven projects
- poised to deliver solutions for Ontario’s farmers and agri-food sector
- $70.7 million
- attracted by U of G researchers for agri-food and rural projects that support Ontario
- 48 patents
- protect Ontario’s agri-food innovations and help bring ideas to market
Leveraging U of G Expertise and Partnerships
- 400+ University experts
- conducting research that supports Ontario agri-food, representing nearly 50 per cent of U of G faculty
- 653 staff, including technicians
- innovating and building resilience across Ontario’s agri-food sector
- 335 partners
- working with U of G researchers on Alliance-funded agri-food and rural projects
Protecting Ontario's Food System
- 1,182,472 tests
- completed by the Animal Health Laboratory help protect animal and human health
- 1,489,833 tests
- completed by the Agriculture and Food Laboratory ensure Ontario has reliable food safety data
- 99.95% compliance
- in regulatory testing for Ontario’s food safety programs, keeping our food supply safe and secure
Training the Next Generation
- 496 students
- involved in research projects, gaining job-ready skills to become the next generation of agri-food leaders and teammates
- 6,786 farmers
- and members of the agri-food community trained in safe pesticide use, manure application and field drainage
- 495 veterinary students
- trained in One Health and food animal care
Growing Ontario Solutions 2024/25
This publication is a summary of the Consolidated Annual Report of the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the Government of Ontario and the University of Guelph.
Growing Ontario Solutions and the Consolidated Annual Report are produced by the University of Guelph’s Office of Research.
More information on the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, including the complete Consolidated Annual Report, is available on the Alliance website.
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