Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association hires crop specialist

Chris Duyvelshoff has been appointed as the new crop protection advisor for the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA). He will assume his new role September 4, taking over the position from Craig Hunter who is retiring this year.

“Crop protection is a leading file for OFVGA and an issue of critical importance for Ontario growers, so we are pleased to welcome someone with Chris’ expertise and experience to our team,” says OFVGA Crop Protection Section Chair Charles Stevens. “Fruit and vegetable growers face many challenges when it comes to crop protection and Chris will be an important asset to our crop protection committee as well as to the horticulture industry as a whole.”

Duyvelshoff comes to OFVGA from Syngenta Canada, where he worked as an agronomic sales representative focused on fruit, vegetable and ginseng production. He previously spent five years with Perennia Food and Agriculture Inc. in Nova Scotia as a provincial horticulture extension specialist focusing on tree fruit crop production (apple, pear, peach, plum, and cherry), hops, and tree nuts.

He also has practical experience in conducting on-farm research trials and working with growers on product selection. Duyvelshoff holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture – Horticultural Science from the University of Guelph, as well as a M.Sc. in Plant Agriculture from the same institution.

“I very much look forward to joining the OFVGA in September and continuing to work to ensure Ontario's horticulture growers are able to protect their valuable crops,” Duyvelshoff says. “I am confident that collaboration between growers, industry stakeholders, and government can provide solutions that support a prosperous and competitive horticulture industry in Ontario.”

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association is the voice of Ontario’s fruit, vegetable, and greenhouse producers on issues affecting the horticulture sector. Visit www.ofvga.org.