A grant of $82,500 from the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) will assist Ontario apple growers form an organization that can respond to the issues and concerns of producers and represent their collective interests.

There are approximately 700 apple producers who will benefit from this project. The apple industry is widely dispersed throughout the province and represents the largest fruit crop. Annual apple production in Ontario averages 13 to 14 million bushels with a value of almost $100,000,000.

A goal of this project is to form an organization that can coordinate research and improve apple production techniques to help increase sales and strengthen Ontario's global competitiveness.

Identifying priorities and opportunities for the industry will be another goal.

This initiative will be managed by the Ontario Apple Growers Steering Committee whose volunteer members represent apple-growing regions across the province.

Support for this project, and over 1,000 others throughout the province, is provided by the AAC. The Council is a non-profit coalition of 54 agricultural, agri-business and rural organizations working together to support Ontario’s agricultural sector and rural communities. The AAC receives its funding through Ontario’s share of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development Fund.

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For more information: Mary Jarvis, Program Coordinator, Agricultural Adaptation Council Tel: (519) 822-7554 Mary's e-mail