November 2025 Newsletter

Process for Elections

 

OPVG is using the same hybrid model as last year's Board Member elections. This process will give members the option to vote electronically at District Meetings or vote online (as in previous years) until voting closes on December 12.

 

Positions available

There are four positions available for 2026. The Board Member positions currently up for election are:

 

  • District 1: Ryan Leclair, Peter Epp
  • District 2: Tracy Gubbels
  • District 3: Dan Froese

 

Nomination process

All eligible growers have been sent an email with a link to the online nomination form, sent directly from Bev DeVries (opvgelections@gmail.com), the Returning Officer that OPVG has selected for 2026 Board Member elections. If you haven't received your nomination form, please contact Bev at opvgelections@gmail.com.

 

Online nominations started on November 3 and close at each District Annual Meeting (November 26-27). All nominated growers will be listed on the OPVG website under News.

 

Voting details

Growers can vote electronically at District Meetings (you need access to your email to vote) or vote online (as in previous years) until voting closes on December 12.

 

If you have any questions about the election process, please contact Bev DeVries at opvgelections@gmail.com. 

District Meeting Reminder

 

Just a reminder about the dates and times for the District Meetings this month. If you are attending, please be sure you’ve emailed opvg@opvg.org to confirm your attendance so we can plan for meals.

District 1

Annual Meeting

November 27

 

John D. Bradley Centre, Chatham

10 a.m.

(includes lunch)

District 2

Annual Meeting

November 27

 

Best Western Stoneridge Inn, London

6 p.m.

(includes dinner)

District 3

Annual Meeting

November 26

 

Courtland Community Centre

6 p.m.

(includes dinner)

Hartung State of the Union Meetings

OPVG is holding cucumber grower meetings this fall. We will be electing growers for the 2025 Hartung Cucumber Negotiating Committees and provide an opportunity for open discussions. Dan Hartung will be in attendance to present a state of the industry address prior to elections. If you are unable to attend but would like to let your name stand on the negotiating committees, please advise our office in advance of the meetings.

Hartung Meeting - Chatham Hand and Machine Contracts

 

November 12

 

6 p.m. (includes dinner)

John D. Bradley Center

565 Richmond St, Chatham, Ontario

 

Hartung Meeting - Eastern Hand Contracts

 

 

November 13

 

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (includes lunch)

Saxonia Hall - German Canadian Club

 522 Talbot St W, Aylmer, ON

Nortera State of the Union Meeting

Wednesday, January 7th 2026

10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (lunch included)

 Best Western Stoneridge Inn, 6675 Burtwistle Lane in London

 

We have scheduled a grower meeting for Nortera crops that will include the election of growers to 2025 Negotiating Committees and an industry update from Nortera. If you are unable to attend but would like to let your name stand on the negotiating committees, please advise our office in advance of the meeting.

2026 Negotiations

Grower input is very helpful during the negotiation process and the negotiating teams value your feedback.

 

  • What are your thoughts regarding pricing for 2026?
  • What issues did you encounter during the season that the committee should be aware of?
  • Are there any terms and conditions you feel should be addressed?

 

Please send your feedback to the OPVG office at opvg@opvg.org.

Setting Research Priorities for the Year Ahead

Each fall, the Industry Advisory Committees, composed of grower, industry, and processor representatives, come together to review the previous year’s research priorities and identify needs within the processing vegetable sector. These meetings provide an important opportunity for collaboration and help ensure that research efforts continue to address the most pressing issues facing the industry.

 

Following these discussions, a call for research proposals is sent to universities, research institutions and organizations outlining the sector’s updated priorities. Proposals are then received and reviewed by the Advisory Committees in early January. Based on these, the Committees make funding recommendations for research projects that will best support innovation and sustainability in Ontario’s processing vegetable sector.

 

If you have any feedback or comments on processing vegetable research topics, please email your thoughts to the OPVG office at opvg@opvg.org.

2025 OPVG Bursary Applications Open November 7th

To encourage and support students interested in pursuing a career in the processing vegetable sector, OPVG offers three annual bursaries. The application process is open November 7, 2025 with submissions due by February 6, 2026.

 

  • 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 have provided nearly $200,000 to students during that time.

 

Please share this information with friends and family. You can view the bursary information HERE 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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