New XLerate Energy Program from IESO

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is pleased to announce the official launch of XLerate.

This redesigned program replaces the previous Industrial Energy Efficiency Program (IEEP) and is part of the IESO’s ongoing commitment to support Ontario’s industrial (greenhouse and all agriculture are considered industrial), municipal, institutional, and healthcare sectors in achieving large-scale, impactful energy efficiency improvements.

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Third Intake of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative Opens August 13 to September 3, 2025

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $3 million and launching the third intake of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI) to help farmers implement projects to improve the energy efficiency of their farming operations. To support the province’s plan to protect Ontario, this funding will help local agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products businesses across the province enhance their competitiveness, put more money back into their pockets and keep workers on the job.

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June 24, 2025: Japanese Beetles Have Started to Emerge!

Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica) adults were caught in pheromone traps yesterday in Vineland, ON, by Cassie Russell, OMAFA’s Nursery and Landscape Specialist. Read on for what the start of the adult emergence period means in terms of pest management for outdoor nursery and floriculture crops.

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Guardian Network Training: Suicide Prevention Training for Field Staff supporting the Ag Community

Don’t miss the upcoming exclusive Guardian Network virtual training session on July 30th.

Designed specifically for Field Staff across Ontario who support the agricultural community. This includes agronomists, field service reps, soil & crop advisors, livestock & dairy specialists, equipment reps and others in similar roles.

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Updates to the Expanded Energy Management Program from Save On Energy

The Expanded Energy Management program now provides support to commercial and institutional facilities in Ontario (including Greenhouses) to improve their energy performance with energy savings opportunities in two areas:

Funding for hiring an Energy Manager
Strategic Energy Management: Identify and implement long-term energy-saving opportunities.

Continue reading to learn more and register here for the information webinar Wednesday June 4^th, 1-2pm

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Are you developing a Product for the Agri-food Industry that uses Innovative Tech? Learn more about the CIT Cost-Share Initiative!

Don’t miss the opportunity to apply for 1:1 cost-share funding up to $100k through the Critical Industrial Technologies Initiative (CIT)! The application deadline is May 30th, 2025.

This program is geared towards small and medium-sized Ontario-based companies developing a solution or product that incorporates at least one of these six critical technologies: 5G & advanced networks, AI, Blockchain, Robotics, Cybersecurity or Quantum.

Some examples of greenhouse-specific projects that would fall under this program: robotics for planting or harvesting, AI for sorting on a production line, or 5G connected sensor systems for greenhouse monitoring.

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Your Yearly Explainer of Japanese Beetle Requirements: Get Those Treatments on Before May 15!

For those of you planning on shipping ornamental products out of Ontario anytime between May 15 and June 15, this is your yearly reminder to get your curative application of Acelepryn on BEFORE May 15! Recall that no pesticides are allowed when Japanese beetle (JB) pupae are present (generally, May 15-June 15 in Ontario). So, if you haven’t already curatively treated your plants that are about to go out the door (either after Aug 15 in 2024 or before May 15 2025) they may not meet shipping requirements.

For more details, check our our updated infographic for JB control products and timing to know what to apply when. Not sure if you need to treat for JB or not? This post also contains a decision tree and a quick reference table for applicable JB programs when shipping outside Ontario.

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New Program Offer from Enbridge

Check out the one-of-a-kind incentive program from Enbridge. Offering 3 times the standard rate for energy efficiency projects. Read on to see how you qualify.