These ideas were celebrated recently at a ceremony in Strathroy honouring regional winners of the Premier’s Awards for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence.

Recipients in the fruit and vegetable industries included:

Berry Hill Fruit Farm – Aylmer

Growing fruits and vegetables that are in demand, selling locally and building brand recognition have meant increased profits for Dick and Renee Saarloos of Elgin County. By selling directly to local retail outlets and increasing the volume of sales, the farm saw a 30 per cent increase in gross farm revenues in 2009. Since 2006, 19 acres of apples have been removed and replaced with sweet corn and tender fruits, and the on-farm fruit stand sells from mid-June strawberry season, to well into the fall. A caricature of “Farmer Dick” is the recognizable brand that local shoppers look and ask for at local retail food outlets.

Nature's Perfection Shiitake Mushrooms – Aylmer

The Lindsays are certainly not in the dark when it comes to bright ideas for growing shiitake mushrooms. They started by cleverly converting a tobacco kiln and customizing carts, shelving and tracks to make cleaning easier, thereby reducing the threat of disease and increasing yields. The growers manufacture their own sawdust blocks as media in which their own mushrooms grow, and sell the blocks to other growers. The indoor nature of the operation means continuous production, as opposed to the traditional two-month production cycle. And they're generous with their innovation - hosting educational farm tours and donating product for fundraising charities in the community.

Forest Glen Herb Farm – Forest

The extensive collection of heritage plants at Cynthia Cook’s farm is helping new generations learn about centuries-old agricultural techniques. Customers can find out about growing various herbs for culinary, fragrant and medicinal purposes, making teas and other value-added processes. More than 1,500 varieties of herbs grow on this historic property in a setting that includes a house, barn, retail and education centre that are more than 140 years old. Cook is an environmentally conscious farmer and educator who also brings her skill and knowledge to local colleges. The collection of herbs on the farm is unique because many of the herbs were sourced from heritage sites.

Aarden Farms Ltd. – Lakeside

Tilling can be time-consuming, but a couple of innovative farmers from Oxford County have modified their equipment so they can reduce the number of passes they need to make on the land by as much as 50 percent. Their modified tiller can perform several operations when they plant their sweet corn under plastic mulch. The new system enables them to plant more corn in a shorter period of time, and will help them reach their goal of moving from 35 to 50 acres within the next two years.

Budhaven Farms Limited/Leaping Deere Legends – Ingersoll

When the Budd family was looking at expanding their agri-tourism business, they wanted to make sure it would be available to everyone, including people with diverse mobility needs. Budhaven Farms now features a corn maze, farm animals, nature trails and more all made accessible in various ways, such as tie-downs on the wagons for wheelchairs or scooters, and wide, well-groomed paths through the maze. The Budds host various charity events at their facility, helping to raise significant funds for organizations, such as 4-H and area hospitals. This all-accessible attraction now receives visitors from around the world.