We
negotiate prices for each grape variety
grown commercially and sold to processors. This creates
a level playing field among buyers, who are assured of equality
and fairness in a very price-competitive market.
We
negotiate sugar standards for grapes and update them annually
based on historical data.
We
discuss critical industry issues – from grape growing
to wine marketing –with the wineries and try to resolve
any problems for the benefit of the entire industry.
We
are continually working to expand the markets for Ontario
grapes and wines, both domestically and internationally,
and look for alternative uses for our products.
We
collect and supply data regarding crop size, sugar levels,
acreage and trends for and to the industry and government.
We
communicate to growers about relevant industry issues and
information.
We
lobby government on behalf of growers and wineries, expressing
our concerns, communicating our issues and proposing solutions.
We
provide information to political leaders, media and the
community about the importance of grape growing in Ontario.
Our
staff pesticide specialist monitors pesticide issues as
they relate to grape growing, and communicates regularly
with the Canadian Pest Management Association to keep growers
informed about the latest product information. Through our
membership in the Ontario Agricultural Research Coalition,
we help introduce new pesticides, both for emergency and
full-time use.
We
sponsor Ker Crop Management, which provides an Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) service through the Code-A-Phone system.
We
play an active membership role and have a director on
the Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Systems (FARMS),
which provides foreign agricultural workers for Ontario
farms.
We
play an active membership role and have a director on the
Ontario Agricultural Commodity Council. Through our involvement
and sponsorship of this organization, Ontario growers can
access both the CAIS (Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization)
and SDRM (Self-Directed Risk Management) programs, through
which the federal and provincial governments contribute to growers’ personal accounts
with matching funds. This is a safety net program for growers. For more information click here.
Through
our membership role and having a director on AgriCorps,
Ontario grape growers are eligible for crop insurance. This
program is sponsored jointly by the federal and provincial
governments, and lobbied for on behalf of the growers.
We
sponsor and originate research programs, and work closely
with provincial universities and colleges to advance studies
and fund research in viticultural areas.
We
are a founding sponsor of NAWN (Niagara Agricultural Weather
Network) which is now the Weather Innovations Incorporated (WIN). It provides a statistical data base on weather
in Niagara and is used by the VQAO to enforce harvest dates
for Icewine grapes. In the future, this program may be used
to predict potential pest, insect and disease problems.
We
provide hundreds of thousands of dollars in promoting the
industry – specifically Ontario VQA wine promotion.
In fiscal 2001-2002, we earmarked $100,000 for generic VQA
promotion.
We
are a founding member and founding sponsor of the Niagara
Grape & Wine Festival – a 51-year-old community
celebration of the grape and wine industry. We continue
to sponsor this event annually.
We sponsor the Grape Grower of the Year (formerly Grape King) competition, which honours Ontario's outstanding grape grower.
We continue to help sponsor other events, like the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Ontario wine awards, county fair competitions, amateur wine competitions and numerous community events.
We
sponsor VQAO in support of 100% Ontario wines. In the
past, we have provided $150,000 for VQAQ promotion.
These funds essentially help keep the bottle charge that
individual wineries must pay at a lower level and show Grape Growers of Ontario
support for VQA wines and the monitoring/administrative
system to keep it vital.
