Niagara’s agricultural future took centre stage at NICHE Agriculture, held October 20th at Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The afternoon brought together startups, growers, researchers, industry leaders, and government partners to explore how farm-tech, agri-tech, and clean-tech innovation can help the region’s agriculture sector adapt and grow.
Attendees were joined by special guest the Honourable Sam Oosterhoff, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. The Agriculture in Transition panel, moderated by Del Rollo of Arterra Wines Canada, featured Dr. Darby McGrath of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Augusta Van Muyen of Tawse Winery, Aron Hoff of Meyers Fruit Farms & Greenhouses, and Chris Mullet Koop of the Niagara Federation of Agriculture. Panelists spoke openly about labour, technology adoption, sustainability, and profitability, and where they see opportunity for the sector to evolve.
Outside on the patio, Variable Pitch led live drone demonstrations showing how aerial technology supports crop monitoring and data collection, while startups from the Hub shared their solutions with growers and industry partners open to pilot projects and collaboration. Connection was the common thread of the day, putting new ideas in front of the people best placed to put them to work.
A special thank you goes to our partners, speakers, exhibitors, and startups, including the City of Niagara Falls, Niagara Region Economic Development, the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery and Arterra Wines Canada, Variable Pitch, and all those who continue to champion innovation in Niagara’s agriculture sector.
