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OFVGA honours former chair Brian Gilroy for industry contributions

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (OFVGA) has presented its 2023 Industry Award of Merit to its former chair, Brian Gilroy.

An apple grower near Meaford, Ont., Gilroy has been involved with the OFVGA board in various capacities since 1990 and was chair from 2010 to 2012. He received the award on Feb. 21, 2023, at the association’s annual banquet in Niagara Falls, Ont., in honour of his contributions to the fruit and vegetable industry.

“Brian loves agriculture, people and farming and he’s harnessed those passions for the betterment of our industry,” says OFVGA executive director Alison Robertson. “He has never shied away from behind-the-scenes work in encouraging collaboration to achieve outcomes that will benefit all growers.”

During his time on the board, Gilroy has also served as a director (representing Ontario Apple Growers) and vice-chair. His most long-standing role has been chair of the property section, whose mandate has expanded over the years to include property, infrastructure, energy and food safety.

Outside OFVGA, Gilroy has been chair of Ontario Apple Growers, president of the Canadian Horticultural Council—now Fruit & Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC)—and chair of Farm & Food Care Ontario. He is also a long-time director with the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Earlier this year, he was announced as a 2023 inductee into the Ontario Agriculture Hall of Fame.