BUSINESS NEWS FOR CANADIAN GROWERS
Day in, day out. The Grower delivers news on several channels to almost 10,500 readers. Commercial horticulture growers of more than 120 commodities trust The Grower to post breaking news as well as in-depth analysis of domestic and global trends.
That trust is earned by walking the fields with agricultural innovators and talking in-depth to opinion leaders coast to coast. We meet newsmakers face-toface, be it in the farm truck or around the table at regional and national industry meetings. This is your Grower -- delivered by a seasoned horticultural team.
Your Grower is more than a monthly newspaper. Weekly e-newsletter: Fresh News from The Grower Website: www.thegrower.org
Podcasts: The Grower Calling Twitter: @growernews
Facebook: Facebook.com/TheGrowerNews/
LinkedIn: The Grower
READER PROFILE
A Grower reader is a business owner, farm manager or executive team member responsible for high-value, edible horticultural crops. Major commodities include: apples, tender fruit, grapes and berries to garlic, ginseng, potatoes and field vegetables. Growers of processing vegetables include: tomatoes, carrots, squash, sweet corn, peas, cucumbers, beans, peas and onions. Growers of greenhouse produce such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce and strawberries are valued readers. Together, these commercial enterprises deliver fresh produce with a 2024 farmgate value that topped $8 billion.
QUICK FACTS
Published – First of every month
Frequency – 12 times per year
Distribution – National English
Circulation – 10,500
Readership – 35,000+
Editorial profile – Commercial fruit and vegetable growers
Publisher – Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association
Website – www.thegrower.org
E-newsletter – Fresh News from The Grower
Twitter – @growernews
Facebook – @thegrowernews
LinkedIn – The Grower
Rates effective November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026
CROSS PLATFORM INTEGRATION
Printed 1st of every month, 12x per year
Open rate is double the industry standard. Reaches 3,000 subscribers every Tuesday. Average open rate 48% Average click through rate of 22%
MOBILE OPTIMIZED WEBSITE
Home page generates 11K unique visits per month. Analytics provided for web advertising.
INSERTS
Target your prospects by commodity, geography or postal code. Cheaper than Canada Post. Direct mail also available.
PODCASTS
Sponsorship opportunities available with cross-platform promotion.
november 2025
BOOK AD SPACE Oct 17, 2025
AD COPY DUE Oct 21, 2025
Prime your clients to decide on #plant2026. Nominate your best picks for disease-resistant, high-performing vegetable seed varieties. Optimize delivery of your seed or rootstock catalogue by inserting in this eagerly anticipated issue. When you place a minimum ¼ page ad, your top three winners for 2026 will be featured.
ONTARIO FRUIT & VEGETABLE CONVENTION
february 2026
BOOK AD SPACE Jan 16, 2026
AD COPY DUE Jan 20, 2026
Plan your advertising campaign ahead of the Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention scheduled for February 18-19, 2026 in Niagara Falls. Make The Grower part of your pre- and postconvention marketing plan. Our database can be used to target marketing to specific fruit and vegetable crops by postal code. Time for an insert? A podcast? An e-advertisement?
SOIL HEALTH & CROP NUTRITION
december 2025
BOOK AD SPACE Nov 17, 2025
AD COPY DUE Nov 20, 2025
Tell our readers how your products – biostimulants, crop nutrition, amendments – can promote soil health and stimulate plant health for better yields and higher quality.
GRAPES, VINEYARDS & BERRIES
january 2026
BOOK AD SPACE Dec 15, 2025
AD COPY DUE Dec 18, 2025
Shine a light on the inputs and techniques that put climate-smart grape growers ahead. Share knowledge on how to use crop protection products in an IPM plan. Highlight what’s new in irrigation and growing technology for field berries.
CROP PROTECTION/ SPRAYING/POTATOES
march 2026
BOOK AD SPACE Feb 13, 2026
AD COPY DUE Feb 16, 2026
Unscramble the complexities of crop protection with your solutions and spraying techniques. Explain how biopesticides can be incorporated into a conventional spray program.
Our double-double special includes potatoes, a coast-to-coast crop that brings in the highest gross of any vegetable.
Demonstrate how your inputs and equipment can help growers be profitable this season.
STORAGE, CONTAINERS & PACKAGING
april 2026
BOOK AD SPACE Mar 17, 2026
AD COPY DUE Mar 20, 2026
The Canadian Produce Marketing Association is bringing together the entire value chain from grower to grocer in Toronto, Ontario. This is the season to showcase packaging and container innovation in front of the April 28-30 event.
IRRIGATION & WATER MANAGEMENT
may 2026
BOOK AD SPACE Apr 17, 2026
AD COPY DUE Apr 20, 2026
Highlight your latest irrigation scheduling and equipment technology across a range of crops – apples, potatoes, field vegetables, berries, grapes –through a one-source ad buy. Showcase your technology that’s available now to steward water in packing plants.
EQUIPMENT & FARM MACHINERY
august 2026
BOOK AD SPACE July 16, 2026
AD COPY DUE July 20, 2026
Introduce your automation solutions in the field and in the packing plant. Bring forward your specialized tools that improve labour efficiency and ergonomics.
LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT
june 2026
BOOK AD SPACE May 16, 2026
AD COPY DUE May 20, 2026
Logistics is the glue that keeps produce moving through the cold chain seamlessly. This editorial package highlights the people and technologies that protect freshness and food safety. Make your services known to growers who are shipping domestically and across borders.
GREENHOUSE INNOVATION
september 2026
BOOK AD SPACE Aug 17, 2026
AD COPY DUE Aug 20, 2026
FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
july 2026
BOOK AD SPACE June 15, 2026
AD COPY DUE June 19, 2026
Highlight how your sophisticated services can ease the operational load in terms of crop insurance, payroll, human resource management and cybersecurity. Advertise your services in this editorial environment that’s dedicated to business risk management.
STARTUPS & SMART TECHNOLOGY
october 2026
BOOK AD SPACE Sept 16, 2026
AD COPY DUE Sept 21, 2026
SEED
&
ROOTSTOCK november 2026
BOOK AD SPACE Oct 16, 2026
AD COPY DUE Oct 20, 2026
Boost traffic to your booth at the Canadian Greenhouse Conference slated for October 8-9 in Niagara Falls. This dynamic sector requires services and many inputs ranging from lighting to screens to biological pest controls.
Start-up companies, locally and globally, are achieving field success as they work with growers on labour-saving automation and robotics. Introduce your smart technology: soil sensors, AI-driven sprayers, autonomous weeders.
SOIL HEALTH & CROP NUTRITION
december 2026
BOOK AD SPACE Nov 16, 2026
AD COPY DUE Nov 20, 2026
ADVERTISING RATES
The Grower Ad Policies:
• All advertising is accepted subject to the publisher’s discretion at all times.
• Advertiser resumes responsibility for unauthorized use of name, photograph, image, device or word protected by copyright or registered trademark.
• Ad cancellation must be sent in writing, and received by the publisher prior to ad booking deadline for scheduled issue. Failure to do so will result in 50% of ad cost billed to client.
• The publisher will not be responsible for damages arising out of errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for the space occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred.
• There shall be no liability for non-insertion or
late publication for any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement.
Billing Terms and Conditions:
• All invoice/statements are payable without exception in 30 days.
• Any discrepancies on the invoice must be reported within 10 days of receipt.
• Overdue accounts are subject to a 2% per month interest charge.
• Accounts unpaid past 90 days shall be referred to collections. Non-payment of accounts will result in advertising being canceled and all future credit terms revoked.
• Cheques rendered NSF shall be subject to a $50 administration charge added to your account.
(Gross, per ad)
ad full colour included in
Bill Payment Options:
Invoice/statements may be paid by cheque or credit card. Please reference your invoice number in the memo area of cheques or when making a payment by credit card over the phone.
Mechanical Specifications:
• The Grower is printed web offset
• Number of columns per page: 5
• Type page: 10 1/2” x 15 1/4”
• Trim page: 11 3/8” x 16” on a 32” web
Mailing Address: The
ADVERTISING RATES
PRINT +
The 2022 Media Channel Study conducted by Readex Research revealed that nearly two-thirds of farmers look at print magazines and newspapers at least once a week. And when it comes to making purchase decisions, the same group of respondents identified print media as the top source of information by a 3:1 ratio.
5% FREQUENCY DISCOUNT APPLIED TO THREE OR MORE ADS BOOKED AT THE SAME TIME.
Discount applies when paying media planner rates. Does not apply to previously discounted rates.
(Gross, per ad)
ADS PLACED IN MARKETPLACE ARE AT A RATE OF $3.60 PER LINE. PRICE INCLUDES COLOUR.
CLASSIFIED ADS ARE $35/20 WORDS + 60 CENTS EACH ADDITIONAL WORD
TARGETED INSERTS
The Grower has the ability to identify subsets of its database. You can select your target market by commodity, province, and/or postal code. Your pre-printed brochures, flyers, catalogues, and post-it-notes can be distributed monthly in The Grower publication.
SHIP INSERTS TO:
pricing
BASED ON COST/K UNDER 4 PGS 4 PGS + $445 $525
Polybag (optional) $625 $695
Extra weight - charges will apply
sizing
Maximum Size: 8” x 10.5”
Minimum Run: 1000 pieces
Total number of papers: 10,700 per month
SPLITS
Specific databases can be identified by commodity, province and/or postal code.
One time charge - $285
All inserts must be sent to Data Media one week prior to insertion date. Inserts must be pre-approved by The Grower at least seven business day prior to the date of distribution. 1 2 3
WHAT OUR LOYAL READERS SAY
“The Grower consistently delivers high-quality, relevant and impactful articles. In our fast-paced and ever-evolving industry, the paper keeps us well-informed and up-to-date through their meticulous research. The publication also ensures that we stay ahead of emerging technologies and shifting industry trends. I’m always looking forward to the next edition!!”
~ JACK STREEF, PRINCETON, ONTARIO
"I find The Grower magazine creates discussion and promotes ideas with our growers and staff. Our growers drop into the office, with The Grower magazine in hand to point out articles of interest, raise questions on new practices, and discuss potential trials for adoption here at the Association.”
~ JOANNE DRISCOLL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PEI HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION
"I always have The Grower magazine at my desk. The Grower provides me with a way to keep in touch with other regions, provides up-to-date information and sparks ideas.”
~ GERALD DYKERMAN, BROOKFIELD GARDENS, BROOKFIELD, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER
Average open rate 46% ** double industry standard ** Average click through rate of 22% Analytics provided one week after ad placement
DIGITAL SPONSORED CONTENT
Share a dynamic company profile or showcase innovation in your business on The Grower’s award-winning website, www.thegrower.org.
You will receive one page on www.thegrower.org under the heading or tag of your choice (check website for available tags). Your post will have a title and up to three images (750 x 500 pixels). Your page will also include your logo at the bottom of your article with a hyperlink to your website. Your article can be up to 500 words.
1 month
3 months
6 months
12 months
$1500
$1750
$2000
$2500
1 tweet/Facebook post
2 tweet/Facebook posts
3 tweets/Facebook posts
4 tweets/Facebook posts
TITLE
AVAILABLE BANNER SIZES AND FORMATS
Depending on your needs, you can run one or multiple banners simultaneously. Choose from the following ad formats:
LEADERBOARD
Appearing at the top of all thegrower.org pages, this 1300 x 140 px slot is designed to reach the largest cross-section of site visitors.
MEDIUM SQUARE
Featured on the homepage, category page and content pages, this 400 x 400 px banner is sure to boost views and clicks to your company profile.
TALL SKYSCRAPER
This 400 x 800 px banner can be displayed on the home page, a category page or along side the content of a specific article.
VIDEO
Appearing on the homepage this 400 x 400 px slot is designed to house your video campaign.
BANNER SPECIFICATIONS
IMAGE FILES
Ads provided in image format must be of file type JPG, PNG or GIF. GIF files may be static or animated. PNG and GIF files should not have any transparency. All files must be under 1mb.
DESIGN OF ONLINE ADS IS AVAILABLE AT A NOMINAL FEE
LINKS
The full URL should be provided in the following format: http://www.yoursite.com. If a link connects to media other than a web page (ie. PDF document) the document must be available via a web link (http://www.yoursite.com/ document.pdf) on the advertiser’s site or a third-party service. The Grower does not provide hosting for these documents.
WWW.THEGROWER.ORG
(top)
x 140 px
Square 400 x 400 px (Also applies to video ads)
Campaigns less than 4 weeks in duration add 15% to published rates. No surcharge applies for multiple campaigns when booked as one media purchase. All rates are net. Billing is monthly. A 15% discount applies to all prepaid advertising orders. Visa, MasterCard accepted.
PODCAST OPPORTUNITY
The Grower invites clients placing a minimum of a 1/4 page print advertisement to take advantage of a new, exciting way to extend reach. Do you have important research to share? Are you taking a new product to market? Reinforce your advertising with a sponsored 10-minute podcast distributed directly to The Grower’s audience.
Full Support
Questions prepared by The Grower editor for 10-minute podcast
$750
INCLUDED IN PODCAST SPONSORSHIP
• Company mentioned as a sponsor within the podcast (average 175+ listens per podcast)
• Opportunity to mention podcast link in the print advertisement
• Company logo, with a link back to your website, will be listed on The Grower’s podcast page
• Podcasts will be hosted on SoundCloud, iTunes, etc.
EDITORIAL APPROVAL
All podcast submissions must be approved in advance by The Grower’s editor.
• Podcast will be tagged/mentioned as sponsors once in social media promotion
• Podcast will be included in Tuesday morning e-newsletter, Fresh News from the Grower (3,000+ subscribers)
• Podcast will remain on The Grower website as a searchable item
TIMELINES
The Grower requests two weeks of lead time to record the podcast in advance of print deadlines, the 15th of the month preceding publication.
BOOTS ON THE GROUND
We’re thrilled to leave bootprints wherever growers invite us. Over the years, we’ve been in growers’ fields in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Québec and Newfoundland. We believe in the power of photos to tell their stories.
This belief remains the foundation of an editorial sensibility that underpins The Grower’s agricultural reporting from coast to coast. The judges of the 2024 Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation competition acknowledged those skills with three awards.
• Karen Davidson, Farm Writer of the Year, 2024
• Michael Abril, freelance photographer, Silver, People Photography
• Glenn Lowson, freelance photographer, Bronze, Production Photography
In addition, two contributors write opinion columns every month. Owen Roberts is a past-president of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists and former communications instructor at the University of Illinois. Peter Chapman is a retail consultant, professional speaker and author of A la carte: a suppliers’ guide to retailers’ priorities, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Karen Davidson in an Ontario apple orchard.
Carlie Melara, advertising sales/graphic production at the Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention, February 2025.
Je
ff Tribe, photographer in an Ontario apple orchard.
Deanna Vander Zaag, digital specialist,
print + digital sales
Carlie Melara
P: 519-763-8728 ext. 221 TF: 866-898-8488 advertising@thegrower.org
THE GROWER TEAM
editor
Karen Davidson P: 416-557-6413 editor@thegrower.org @karen4growers
accounting
Doug Wilkinson P: 519-763-8728 ext. 114 F: 519-763-6604 accounting@ofvga.org
February 18-19
Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention, Niagara Falls, ON
March 10-12
Fruit & Vegetable Growers of Canada, Ottawa, ON
April 28-30
Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention & Trade Show, Toronto, ON
digital specialist
Deanna Vander Zaag P: 519-763-8728 ext. 116 F: 519-763-6604 dvanderzaag@ofvga.org
October 7-8
Canadian Greenhouse Conference, Niagara Falls, ON
November 6-15
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto, ON