Critical Technology Demonstration Day
On Friday, June 20, 2025, the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, in partnership with the Ontario Centre of Innovation, hosted its first Critical Technology Demonstration Day at the Victoria Avenue Research Farm in Vineland Station, ON. The free, outdoor event took place across a variety of the research centre’s fields and orchards and featured live demonstrations of 17 emerging Ontario-based technologies in horticulture.
This hands-on event was designed to highlight ‘made-in-Ontario’ solutions for real-world challenges, and to expose attendees to critical advancements in productivity and sustainability in today’s horticulture.
“We truly value events like this for the chance to engage directly with potential partners, and to learn more about Grower needs.”
– Derek Davy, Econse.
Key Highlights
- Live Tech Demonstrations: Outdoor trials of robotic systems, sensors, automation tools, and precision-ag equipment—demonstrated in operational farm conditions.
- Expert Walkthroughs: Attendees participated in guided tours explaining technology performance, integration challenges, and benefits.
- Networking & Collaboration: Over 100 participants from academia, grower associations, 17 agri-tech startups, and suppliers joined to exchange insights and form partnerships.
Who Was There
Demonstrations catered to a broad agricultural ecosystem, including:
- Growers and horticulture producers seeking innovation
- Ag-tech developers demonstrating prototype and field-ready tools
- Researchers focused on crop systems and technology validation
- Policymakers and extension agents exploring tools for adoption.
“By demonstrating innovative technologies in a real horticultural field setting, we help accelerate adoption and encourage new connections”
– Evan Pilkington, Vineland Research & Innovation Centre
Join the Conversation:
Growers and Tech Providers are encouraged to register interest for pilot collaborations, field trials, and upcoming events.
info@vinelandresearch.com
About Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
Vineland is a uniquely Canadian, results-oriented organization dedicated to horticulture science and innovation. We deliver innovative products, solutions and services through an integrated and collaborative cross-country network to advance Canada’s research and commercialization agenda.
Vineland is situated on treaty lands. These lands are steeped in the rich history of the First Nations, including the Hatiwendaronk, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Many First Nations, Métis and Inuit people from across Turtle Island live and work in Niagara today. Vineland stands with all Indigenous people, past and present, in promoting the wise stewardship of the lands on which we live.
We are an independent, not-for-profit organization, funded in part by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative. For the latest on our research and innovation, visit www.vinelandresearch.com.
For more information, please contact:
Jayne Bintley, Senior Advisor, Communications & Marketing
jayne.bintley@vinelandresearch.com
(289) 968-5173
