PRESS RELEASE
AGRITOURISM ONTARIO ANNOUNCES 2025 AWARD WINNERS AND NEW BOARD LEADERSHIP
Ontario, Canada – Agritourism Ontario is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Agritourism Ontario Awards, celebrating excellence, innovation, and leadership in Ontario’s vibrant agritourism sector.
The annual awards recognize farms, individuals and organizations, who go above and beyond to create exceptional visitor experiences, promote agritourism, and support the sector, while strengthening rural communities.
2025 Award Recipients
- Member of the Year: Apple Land Station – Recognized for outstanding visitor engagement, innovation, and commitment to on-farm experiences.
- Ambassador Award: Hon. Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming – Recognizes an individual or company who has made a public commitment to promote local food, local food producers and the agritourism sector in Ontario.
- Leadership Award: Mark Saunders and Angela Grant Saunders (Saunders Farm) – Recognizes an individual(s) who has made a significant contribution to the agritourism industry in Ontario through their leadership skills, dedication, enthusiasm, supporting fellow farm owners, and ongoing commitment .
- Legacy Award: Chester Kowalik (awarded posthumously) – Honours individuals, families, or organizations whose long-standing dedication has made a lasting impact on Ontario’s agritourism sector. This award recognizes visionary leadership, sustained excellence, and meaningful contributions that have helped shape, strengthen, and grow agritourism across the province.
“These award recipients represent the very best of agritourism in Ontario,” explained Darlene Downey, chair of the board (2023-2025) for Agritourism Ontario. “Their dedication, resilience, and creativity continue to elevate the sector and provide memorable, authentic experiences for visitors from near and far. Minister Cho has been a true champion for our sector. We are very grateful for his support and leadership.”
Leadership Transition
Agritourism Ontario also extends its sincere gratitude to outgoing Board Chair Darlene Downey (Downey’s Farm) for her exceptional leadership and commitment to the organization. During her tenure, Downey played a pivotal role in strengthening industry partnerships, advancing advocacy efforts, and guiding the organization through a period of growth and increased provincial recognition.
“Darlene’s leadership has left a lasting impact on our association and our members,” said Agritourism Ontario’s CEO Kevin Vallier. “We are deeply grateful for her service and dedication to advancing agritourism across Ontario.”
The Board is pleased to welcome Melinda McArthur as the new Chair of Agritourism Ontario. McArthur, who is the Manager at Heatherlea Farm Shoppe in Terra Cotta, brings extensive experience in agribusiness and rural tourism development, along with a strong commitment to collaboration and sector growth.
Joining her in leadership is Benjamin Vandenberg, who steps into the role of Vice Chair. Vandenberg, owns Pie in the Sky Farm and Bakery in Niagara, is recognized for his entrepreneurial approach and passion for connecting consumers with agriculture.
“I am honoured to serve as Chair and to support our members in continuing to build a strong, sustainable agritourism industry,” said McArthur. “Together, we will continue to champion opportunities that support farms, families, and rural communities across Ontario.”
Agritourism Ontario remains committed to advocating for its members, fostering industry excellence, and promoting Ontario as a premier destination for authentic farm experiences.
For more information about the 2025 award winners or Agritourism Ontario, please contact:
Kevin Vallier
Chief Executive Officer
Agritourism Ontario
905-321-8525
[email protected]