Brought to you by Kendal Donahue Agriculture Development Advisor Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs |
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Contact me directly:
Or reach out to our Agricultural Information Contact Centre: 1 877 424-1300 |
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Farmer Wellness Initiative
The Farmer Wellness Initiative offers farmers across Ontario and members of their household will have access to free counselling sessions with a mental health professional. The mental health professionals have received training to understand the unique needs of Ontario farmers. Accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, in English and French, farmers can call 1-866-267-6255 to speak to a counsellor. This service is provided by LifeWorks. The Farmer Wellness Initiative is supported by the Canadian Mental Health Association-Ontario Division, in partnership with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and aims to protect and enhance the mental well-being of farmers and their families. This initiative is funded by the governments of Canada and Ontario, and through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership), a five-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative. This program will provide valuable support for the agricultural community by giving farmers easy access to a comprehensive network of mental health counselling and crisis services. Together, we can break the silence. Please visit www.farmerwellnessinitiative.ca to learn more. |
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Superior Seed Producers Farm Tour in Northwestern Ontario August 20, 9:00am-4:00pm
The tour will stop at 3 farms in and around Thunder Bay. There is no cost to register. |
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Upcoming Webinar!
By the Numbers: Profiling Your Agri-Food Sector Using Impactful Stats
Thursday September 8, 2022 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Join the OFA for a webinar on the resources available to you through OMAFRA and OFA to help you understand and communicate the value of the agricultural sector. - Learn about the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' statistics including new Census of Agriculture information and discover new agriculture and food data sets.
- Learn about a number of resources through the Ontario Federation of Agriculture that will help you tell the story of agriculture in your community.
Speakers Stephen Duff, Chief Economist, OMAFRA Danielle Sharman, Policy Analyst, OFA Community Spotlights |
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On-Farm Climate Action Fund
The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association is launching an On-Farm Climate Action Fund, which consists of cost-sharing programs to assist in implementing new cover cropping, rotational grazing or nitrogen management projects. The cost-sharing funding is outlined below for each project category: - Cover Cropping- 65% up to $20,000
- Rotational Grazing Systems- 65% up to $20,000
- Nitrogen Management- 65% up to $30,000
The Program will be accepting applications starting August 3, 2022 until August 17, 2022. For more information regarding applicant eligibility, eligible activities and costs, documentation required, etc., please click here. |
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Fair Finance Fund Summer Intake
The Fair Finance Fund is open and accepting applications until Friday, August 12, 2022. The Fair Finance Fund supports local food or farm businesses looking for access to capital to purchase equipment, complete a major project or improve/expand their operation, please share.
Loans are available from $20,000 to $200,000 for a 5-year term at a 6.25% interest rate. Each client receives up to 10 hours of mentorship and business assistance to help navigate business challenges through the loan period from experts in food and farming.
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First Nations Business Start Up and Expansion Program
IAPO is pleased to offer the First Nations Business Start Up and Expansion Program financing for First Nation entrepreneurs, businesses & economic development corporations. Areas of financing include: - Seed Capital
- Start-up and Early Stage Loans
- Expansion Capital
- Business Acquisition
Qualified businesses are eligible for funding of up to $100,000 and grants of up to $10,000. To qualify applicants must demonstrate economic viability, as well as, the need for FNBSEP funding. IAPO will be accepting FNBSEP applications until December 31, 2022. Please note that this program is available to support qualified First Nations farm and agribusinesses across Ontario. It is also available to support qualified First Nations businesses in all sectors in South Central and Eastern Ontario. |
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Responsive Advancement for Meat Processing
The Responsive Advancement for Meat Processing (RAMP) Program is for northern Ontario abattoirs and free-standing meat processing plants. RAMP is a comprehensive approach to the sector that provides advisory support, expert consulting, and funding for eligible projects.
The RAMP program will provide up to $25,000 at 75% cost-share towards the purchase of new technologies, equipment and/or materials that will result in the growth and diversity of the meat sector supply chain within the agri-food sector in the region. Participation in the program’s initiatives (productivity assessments and management training) is strongly encouraged for funding recipients.
Eligible Applicants - Provincially or federally inspected abattoirs and free-standing meat processing plants located in Northern Ontario.
- Both start-up and existing businesses are eligible. Start-up businesses are expected to provide a business plan
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FoodShift Program
BIOENTERPRISE in conjunction with FedDev Ontario have recently announced the launch of the FoodShift Program focused on subsidizing the adoption of clean technologies. FoodShift Program Overview The FoodShift program will provide non-repayable funding for net-zero technology adoption ($1.5 million) to food and beverage processors to subsidize the cost of adopting and integrating new clean technologies into their operations. Successful program recipients will be selected through an open call for applications and will be awarded up to $50,000 in project-based matching funding. FoodShift program is supported by a nearly $2 million Government of Canada investment through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Eligible Projects are those that support the adoption and integration of new clean technologies into the applicant’s operations to transition towards a net-zero future. This funding could be used to cover both advisory costs and acquisition costs related to the new technology. The project must be conducted in collaboration with an eligible clean technology provider. Call For Applications Launched July 27, 2022 FoodShift invites organizations based in Ontario operating in the food and beverage processing sector to lead clean technology adoption projects. |
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George Brown College Announces New Grant for Food, Beverage, and Agri-tech Companies Requirements: - Innovation support in new food or beverage product, or research supporting the launch of a new product
- Substantial improvements on existing technology will be considered
- Sensory services are eligible
- Innovation support in mechanical/electrical integration, embedded software IoT, equipment-based product development and mechanical physical prototype fabrication
- Preference will be given to manufacturers, but not required.
- Canadian corporation
Funds: - Minimum project value of $10,000
- Up to $20,000 per company for eligible projects
- Minimum 30% cash contribution, depending on research requirements
Steps: - No application necessary
- Email michelle.kienitzhenderson@georgebrown.ca to begin the process
- Meeting with appropriate George Brown College team member for scoping
- Internal approval of project
- Approval of rough budget and proposal
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Introducing the Ontario Crop Protection Hub
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is transforming the way crop protection information is provided to better serve clients through an online digital application called the Ontario Crop Protection Hub. The Ontario Crop Protection Hub is now available and ready for you to access and offers the latest crop protection information: Ontario.ca/CropProtection. For vegetable crops, the Ontario Crop Protection Hub shows herbicides that were previously listed in the Guide to Weed Control – Publication 75B as well as fungicides and insecticides that were shown in the Vegetable Crop Protection Guide – Publication 838. |
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Sign up for OMAFRA's Field Crop News
Field Crop News is a resource for Ontario field crop production. It is managed by OMAFRA's Field Crop Unit. Some articles of interest:
You can visit Field Crop News here. Scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up for the mailing list. |
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Horticulture IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Workshop Series (Recordings) Introduction to IPM Apple IPM Cucurbit crop IPM Strawberry and raspberry IPM Hazelnut IPM Tomatoes and peppers IPM Brassica crops IPM Carrot and Onion IPM |
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Ontario Pork's New How-to-Guide for Small-Scale Producers
Ontario Pork has developed a how-to-guide to help small-scale producers and hobby farmers raising pigs in Ontario. This guide covers feeding, management, health, government regulations and mandatory requirements for raising pigs in Ontario. When raising pigs outdoors, the welfare of your pigs and the environment are top priorities. Here are some resources related to managing outdoor pigs. |
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Poultry Industry Council's Resources on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Other helpful links: |
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Foundations in Agricultural Management
Are you ready to take your agricultural business to the next level? The University of Guelph is offering an online course that explores agricultural business strategy and planning, farm management, succession planning and financial fundamentals. Invest a few hours in this free, online course!
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