A unique way to grow hops, turning obstacles into cider success and implementing a new-to-Ontario high-density apple orchard among the latest winners of regional Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence.
Dornoch Hops of Durham co-founder Cherie Swift uses cloning and root-cutting techniques to produce low-cost, living plants for hop growers.
It allows her to generate hundreds of plants from a single parent, and do it year-round.
Hoity Toity Cellars of Mildmay ran into problems with their 2013 grape crop.
The long, cool growing season meant 45 per cent of their grapes failed to meet wine production standards.
Their solution - a unique grape cider that provides a homegrown alternative to imported ciders.
Summitview Farm in Clarksburg had a somewhat similar problem.
The wide variety of applies in their 40 acre orchard made it tough to deliver batches of consistently-flavoured cider.
Their solution - produce a variety of different ciders embracing the eclectic mix of colours and tastes their orchard offers.
And T&K Ferri Orchards of Clarksburg is using a 'super spindle' system whereby they plant about 3 thousand apple trees per acre.
That's over twice the industry standard of 12 hundred per acre.
However, the high-density operation makes mechanical pruning and harvesting possible, cuts down on pesticide use and takes just 3-5 years to achieve full production.
50 regional agri-food innovation awards are being handed out across the province this year to recognise new products, supporting job creation and building economic growth in Ontario.
