December 2025 Newsletter

Introducing: 2026 OPVG Board Members

 

Thank you for everyone who participated in the recent Board nominations and elections process in November. We are pleased to announce the following Board Members for 2026 who will all serve a two-year term.

 

  • District 1 – congratulations to Peter Epp and Ryan Leclair
  • District 2 – congratulations to Tracy Gubbels
  • District 3 – congratulations to Henry Friesen

 

A heartfelt thank you to departing Board Member Dan Froese for his time, dedication and contributions to the OPVG Board and the processing vegetable industry. Thank you, Dan!

Tomato Grower Meeting

 

Tuesday, December 9

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (includes lunch)

John D. Bradley Convention Centre

565 Richmond St, Chatham, ON

 

OPVG has organized a meeting for all tomato growers to review key topics and share feedback related to the past and upcoming production seasons. The session will provide an opportunity to reflect on the 2025 season, address plant and contracting issues, speak with Agricorp, and discuss potential options and clauses for future agreements. 

 

 

Please email opvg@opvg.org to RSVP

so we can have an accurate meal count. 

 

Nortera and OPVG Extension Day

Revised date of Tuesday, January 13, 2026

8 a.m. – 1 p.m. (breakfast and lunch included)

 Best Western Stoneridge Inn, 6675 Burtwistle Lane in London

 

The OPVG and Nortera have partnered to arrange a Grower Day that will include a research extension portion, a Nortera business update, and will election of growers to 2026 Negotiating Committees.

 

To be eligible for a negotiating committee nomination or entitled to vote, a person must be a producer holding a current processing vegetable contract with Nortera. If you are unable to attend, but willing to serve on a committee if nominated, please email the OPVG office at opvg@opvg.org BEFORE the meeting. 

 

Agenda:

8 am: Breakfast

9 am-11:30 am: Research Updates

11:30 am: Nortera State of the Union

12 pm: Lunch

12:30 pm: Election of negotiating committees

12:45 pm: Open Discussion

 

Please RSVP by emailing opvg@opvg.org

Research Highlights: Figuring out Phytophthora

Every year, OPVG invests in local research projects to support continuous improvements for Ontario’s processing vegetables and address issues facing our industry. 

 

Phytophthora capsici is a highly destructive, soil-borne disease that impacts a range of processing vegetable crops including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash and pumpkins.

 

In 2024, Amanda Tracey, vegetable crop specialist with OMAFA, led a research project that included evaluating the reliability of a soil test that could help growers know before planting if the pathogen was in their fields. They sampled 84 fields in southern Ontario and used an available soil-based test to detect Phytophthora.

 

Research results

 

Sometimes research doesn’t produce the results you expect but provides valuable insights. Tracey found the test wasn’t very accurate at detecting the pathogen, especially in areas where they observed Phytophthora symptoms in the field.

 

“We aren’t recommending growers use a soil-based test for Phytophthora at this point because we didn’t see reliable enough results,” says Tracey. “But we’ll keep looking for ways to give growers tool to manage this disease.”

FCC Launch Program

FCC Launch is a 12-week virtual learning experience offered in partnership with Ivey Business School. It equips future farm leaders with essential business management skills through interactive sessions, case studies, and peer collaboration.

 

Who is it for?

  • Young farmers and junior partners preparing to take on leadership roles.
  • Successors who need confidence in finance, business strategy, and leadership before becoming key decision-makers.

Why it matters

  • Addresses a critical gap in farm business education and practice.
  • Builds a comprehensive management toolkit for long-term success.
  • Positions participants as future CEOs of their operations.

Program Value

  • $3,500 value, offered for $200 thanks to FCC’s commitment to supporting the next generation of producers.

Key Details

  • Registration deadline: December 15, 2025 or until seats are filled.
  • Seats: Limited (50 per cohort)
  • Cohorts start in January (English and French options)

 

Registration details can be found HERE.

OPVG bursary applications due February 6

 

To encourage and support students interested in pursuing a career in the processing vegetable sector, OPVG offers three annual bursaries and the application process is open with submissions due by February , 2025.

 

  • OPVG Industry Bursary $1,000
  • Jim Whitson Memorial Bursary $2,000
  • Ken Epp Memorial Bursary $2,000

 

The bursary program has been running since 2001, and we’ve provided over $200,000 to students during that time.

 

Please share this information with friends and family, send them to this bursary page on the OVPG website or contact the OPVG office directly at opvg@opvg.org.

OPVG office hours

8:00 am – 4:00 pm 

Monday to Friday

519.681.1875 opvg@opvg.org

 
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