The Ontario Agri-Food Policy Institute announced the appointment of Terry Daynard as managing director on Jan. 14.
The institute, based at the Ontario Agri-Centre in Guelph, has the mandate of identifying, assessing, and promoting new policies designed to enhance the well-being of Ontario’s agriculture and food economy.
That includes finding new ways to market traditional agricultural products in a competitive global environment, as well as researching opportunities for the development of new products, including health, food, nutrition, bioplastics and other materials.
John Scott, chief executive officer of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, and chairman of the institute’s board of directors, said, “Ontario’s agriculture and food sector faces huge challenges in the coming decade.
“We, therefore, need to look to the institute to identify and promote policies designed to prosper in an increasingly competitive environment.
“I am excited about this opportunity to emphasize innovation, research specialty foods, and non-food markets, and create new economic partnerships, rather than to continue to concentrate on traditional policies, as a means of enhancing prosperity,” said Daynard.
“With change, Ontario agriculture and food can be an even stronger contributor to Ontario’s economy; without change, the future is bleak.”
Daynard will continue to retain a part-time affiliation with the Ontario bioauto council, of which he was formerly president and CEO. Other previous positions have included being associate dean of research and innovation at the Ontario Agricultural College, at the University of Guelph, executive vice-president of the Ontario Corn Producers’ Association, and President of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association.
