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Clinton News Record, 2014-12-17, Page 15Wednesday, December 17, 2014 • News Record 15 Celebrating Agri -Food Innovation and Growth New Steering Committee to Help Identify Opportunities for Industry Growth Premier Kathleen Wynne honoured local agri-food industry innovators on November 27 and announced a new Growth Steering Committee to help drive agri-food industry growth and create jobs across the province. The Growth Steering Committee will be co- chaired by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Deputy Minis- ter Deb Stark and Ontario Pork board of directors Chair Amy Cronin. It will identify and pursue future opportunities, and design a growth measurement sys- tem. It will bring together industry and government leaders and experts to iden- tify opportunities to help the industry meet the Growth Challenge. At last year's summit, Premier Wynne challenged the industry to double its growth rate and create 120,000 new jobs in Ontario by 2020. The summit also recog- nized the work of local agri- food businesses whose new ideas and products are cre- ating jobs, growing local economies and bringing quality Ontario food to consumers. The Premier's Award was presented fa Oat/ ( VJJ Gf gawmAwme 4 HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS ma Bat G gulitude gnamn 1.61 ,4 GjVsto411aGau .1� Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8am-5:30pm & Sat. 8am-noon CLINTON AUTO PARTS "--d 482-3934 to Kaley's Acres of Castle- ton for converting former tobacco fields into a suc- cessful kale production operation. The Minister's Award was presented to A. Driedger Farms Inc. of Wheatley for developing a self-propelled tomato harvesting machine that speeds up harvesting by 19 per cent, while pre- serving the quality of the fruit. Three Leaders in Innova- tion awards were also pre- sented to: The Rheault Distillery of Hearst for its quadruple - distilled wheat -based alco- hol made using northern Ontario grains, which are particularly well-suited to vodka production because of their higher sugar content. The Garlic Box of Hensall for bringing back Ontario's commercial garlic produc- tion. By developing a range of value-added products such as oils, salts, condi- ments and seasonings, all made with locally grown garlic, and by flash -freezing whole peeled cloves. The Garlic Box is providing cus- tomers with Ontario garlic year-round. Truly Green Farms of Dresden for running a 22.5 - acre carbon neutral green- house, which uses the carbon dioxide that GreenField Ethanol emits. Not only does using the CO2 promote tomato growth, it ensures that 15,000 metric tonnes of planet -warming gases stay out of the atmosphere each year. Supporting growth and innovation in the prov- ince's agri-food industry is part of the government's economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is build- ing Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive envi- ronment where business thrives, and building a secure savings plan so eve- ryone can afford to retire. Quick Facts A total of 50 regional agri-food innovation awards will be announced across the province this year. Since 2007, 425 produc- ers, processors and agri- food organizations have received a Premier's Award for Agri -Food Innovation Excellence. Ontario's agri-food sector supports farmers, commu- nities and the economy — employing more than 760,000 Ontarians and con- tributing over $34 billion to the province's economy. iletTANGkEETING„,4s The Municipality of Central Huron Council and MunicipOtaff join together to wish you peaceandserenity this holiday season. ior .4f." tvcentral Huron THE MUNICIPALITY OF CENTRAL HURON PLEASE NOTE: THE MUNICIPAL OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24, 2014 AT NOON AND REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL MONDAY JANUARY 5, 2015 AT 8:30AM www.centralhuron.com