Rooted in community, growing with purpose: AgriTech North’s story of inclusion and innovation
In today’s climate, where public support for diversity and inclusion can feel increasingly uncertain, AgriTech North is staying the course—and thriving. For this Northern Ontario bioscience company, IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) isn’t a passing trend. It’s been embedded in their business model from the very beginning. And even as perspectives shift in the broader landscape, AgriTech North continues to evolve, guided by a belief that resilient communities, strong local economies and sustainable food systems are built by including everyone.
From fresh greens to living labs
Since being recognized as an IDEAL Bioscience Employer in 2022, AgriTech North has undergone a significant transformation. What began as a year-round farm growing fresh greens, herbs and small fruiting crops has become a “Living Lab” where innovation, sustainability and inclusion intersect.
This shift wasn’t born from a strategic off-site—it was a response to hardship. Flawed equipment led to operational inefficiencies, fatigue and poor growing conditions. Instead of accepting the status quo, the team created and patented a new product, LeakStops TM, to prevent water leakage and reduce algae growth. The result? Healthier plants, more engaged staff and a better working environment.
That innovation freed up capacity—and that capacity was reinvested in people. AgriTech North expanded its co-op and workplace training programs to include local high school and college students, many of whom face barriers to employment. These placements offer real work experience, spark interest in STEM careers and provide an on-ramp to meaningful employment in an underserved region.
The impact of quiet leadership
AgriTech North doesn’t chase headlines or grand gestures. Instead, it leads through quiet, consistent community presence. That includes its long-standing partnerships with local Indigenous health units to increase access to fresh produce and food education in remote communities. Through initiatives like Nutritional Bingo and taste-test workshops, the company helps introduce healthy, locally grown foods to places where availability—not willingness—is the barrier.
The company’s retail shop has also become a platform for local entrepreneurs, including Indigenous makers and regional producers. A standout example is a home baker who began collaborating with AgriTech North to create herb-infused breads. Today, she’s in the process of opening her own storefront, an evolution that reflects how small acts of support can ripple out into broader community growth.
Navigating realities with transparency
AgriTech North’s commitment to inclusion hasn’t always been easy. Welcoming individuals with complex barriers—mental health challenges, substance use, learning disabilities—has tested the limits of what a small team can manage. Without adequate external support, these placements can strain staff capacity and, at times, compromise safety or operations.
But the company doesn’t walk away from the work. Instead, it’s learning when and how to take on placements in a way that sets everyone up for success. They’re clear-eyed about what’s required—not just from themselves, but from partners and systems too. Inclusion, they argue, must be a shared effort.
A broader platform for purpose
To deepen its social mission, AgriTech North established a not-for-profit arm, the True Wealth Society. Through it, they’re tackling systemic challenges with innovative solutions. One example is the REGAL Spark project, which addresses the lack of entrepreneurial supports for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Northern and Northwestern Ontario. Another is their pilot meal kit program in partnership with a local Indigenous community, which delivers nutritious, culturally relevant food made from regional ingredients.
These initiatives aren’t just about food access—they’re about restoring dignity, improving health outcomes and creating new employment pathways. With support from provincial funding, AgriTech North is building out a commercial kitchen to prepare ready-to-eat meals and provide skills training in agriculture and food processing.
What inclusion really looks like
At a time when many employers are cooling on diversity efforts, AgriTech North is staying grounded. For them, IDEA isn’t a PR strategy. It’s a business philosophy rooted in community well-being and economic resilience.
Their advice to others is simple but powerful: inclusion isn’t a checkbox or a policy. It’s a living process. It requires listening, evolving and treating people not as metrics but as humans. You don’t need to be a large company to get started. Begin by asking how your workplace can reflect the values you hold most closely—respect, fairness and belonging—and grow from there.
In AgriTech North’s case, that philosophy has led to smarter innovation, stronger community ties and a vision of success that goes well beyond the bottom line.