October 2024

Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative

Learn how to get money to support underrepresented groups in starting or growing their own business in the agri-food sector.

Intake opens: October 8, 2024

Deadline: December 3, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Projects must serve at least one underrepresented group, including:

• Indigenous communities/governments
• youth
• women
• visible minorities
• 2SLGBTQI+ people
• persons with disabilities
• members of English and French linguistic minority communities

Projects must also support one of the following:

• address barriers to financing
• provide access to equipment
• provide access to spaces (such as greenhouse space, vertical farming space or land to grow and/or process agri-food products.

Funding

• You could get 70% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $100,000 in funding for a project under the Initiative.
• If you can demonstrate financial need, you could get up to 85% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $100,000 in funding for a project under the Initiative.
• Only projects with a minimum of $25,000 in eligible costs will be considered.

The ministry will be providing 3 webinars to learn more about the initiative and the funding opportunity. 

These will be held on October 3 and 8 – from 11 am to 12 noon. 

 Register here.    

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Local Food Infrastructure Fund

Applications will be accepted from October 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. However, the application intake period may close sooner if funding has been fully committed.

The LFIF aims to support locally-driven projects that will help improve community food security through the purchase and installation of infrastructure/equipment that will increase access to local, nutritious and culturally appropriate food.

Priority will be given to projects that predominantly serve equity-deserving groups, particularly those that are led by or focus on Indigenous and Black communities.

Small Scale Projects:

• provides grant funding between $25,000 and $100,000.
• supports projects that aim to address local food security priorities through the purchase and installation of one or a few pieces of infrastructure/equipment.
• projects must include a production element.

Ontario Trillium Foundation -Grow Grant

The grant application period is October 9, 2024 to November 6, 2024, at 5 pm ET.

Grow grants provide a higher level of funding over 2 or 3 years to help proven community projects increase their impact. OTF invests in projects that help build healthy and vibrant communities. OTF’s funding priorities focus on areas that identify the types of change OTF invests in. Select the funding priority that best meets the goal of your project:  

• Foster physically active lifestyles
• Help people build stronger connections and a deeper sense of belonging in their community 
• Enrich lives through arts, culture and heritage
• Support youth to develop stronger social, emotional and leadership skills
• Support participation in the conservation and restoration of the environment
• Enable economically vulnerable people to meet their basic needs and/or strengthen their financial stability

Explore these priorities as part of OTF’s Grant Investment Framework. 

Agriculture Stewardship Initiative

Program Intake open: Oct. 16th - Oct. 29th

As part of the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Initiative, the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI), provides cost-share funding to support farmers to accelerate the adoption of best management practices (BMPs) supporting soil health, water quality and productivity benefits on agricultural land across Ontario. 

Projects will focus on:

• Equipment Modifications to Improve Manure Application

• Equipment Modifications to Reduce Soil Compaction

• Nutrient Application Equipment Modifications

• Nutrient Management & Soil Health Planning

• Erosion Control Structures

• Adding Organic Amendments

• Equipment and Technology to Enhance Manure Storage

• Basic Energy Use Assessment (Level 1)

• Detailed Energy Audit (Level 2)

• Energy Efficiency Improvements

• Larger-Scale Energy Efficiency Improvements

OMAFA Fall Beef Webinar Series - Register Now!

Register once for access to all 4 webinars.

Each webinar is available over zoom from 7pm to 8pm on the dates below.

OMAFA is happy to be offering a FREE webinar training series this fall delivered by our specialists and regional guests. They will be covering a variety of engaging topics curated from survey results collected regionally. These will be full or information and give you the opportunity to engage and ask questions.

Dates and Topics:

Oct 29 - Improving efficiency in beef production - James Byrne, OMAFA Beef Cattle Specialist

Nov 5 - Design of handling facilities - Rajan Niraula, OMAFA Ag. Engineer

Nov 12 - Selecting heifers for breeding - James Byrne, OMAFA Beef Cattle Specialist

Nov 19 - Vaccinating beef cattle - Dr. Lance Males, Temiskaming Veterinary Services

Once registered you will receive a confirmation email with your Zoom login details.

OMAFA along with some amazing partners are hosting a knowledge sharing and interactive lunch and learn; The Best Part – its free!

• Listen to some amazing short presentations by local procurement professionals, producers, processors and scholars. 
• Followed by an interactive panel of curated specialists, where you can ask questions and participate in a discussion around local patterns, challenges and opportunities.
• And finally have the opportunity to engage with producers, processors and buyers (restaurants, institutions and wholesale) to try and make some meaningful sales connections!

Date: November 13^th from 12-3pm at The Thunder Bay Country Market

Click the button below to get your spot now!

Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture - Annual General Meeting

Date: October 24, 2024

Time: 7pm

Location: Murillo Community Center

Please join us for the Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture AGM, the meeting includes a delicious dinner of lasagna, salad, dessert and refreshments. The fee to attend the dinner is $15/person or bring a non perishable food donation for the food bank.

We are pleased to welcome Drew Spoelstra, the president of OFA, who will be joining the meeting in-person. Ian Nokes, also from OFA head office will join us virtually and share information about slow moving vehicles, signage and agriculture on busy highways.

TBFA is a volunteer based organization serving the local agricultural community. If you are interested in making a difference in the local agriculture community and wish to join the board, or nominate someone please contact Carolyn at: thunderbayag.secretary@gmail.com 

Please register for the AGM by Clicking the button Below

RSVP by October 21, 2024

The 16th annual Municipal Agriculture Economic Development and Planning Forum will take place from October 22 to 24, 2024 at the Best Western Pembroke Inn and Conference Centre.

Ontario Sheep Farmers - 39th AGM and Convention - Unlocking Profit Potential

The Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday October 25th in the afternoon, followed by the banquet in the evening and the convention will be held on Saturday, October 26th.

Our main convention will be held at the Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre. We also have 2 satellite locations on Saturday. One is in Eastern Ontario in Napanee and the other will be in Northern Ontario in New Liskeard. Please note, the AGM and banquet will be held in-person at the main Cambridge location only, but the AGM will also be accessible online over Zoom.

Our annual meeting has traditionally attracted approximately 150 attendees including sheep producers, industry partners, as well as provincial and federal government representatives. This annual event offers a valuable platform for staying informed about key issues and opportunities within the sheep sector.

The theme of this year’s event is ”Unlocking Profit Potential” and features an engaging lineup of presentations, thought provoking panel discussions, and time for networking with farmers and industry stakeholders. Additionally, we are excited to host a trade show featuring businesses across the industry.

RSVP to Jennifer Johanson at 519-836-0043 or admin@ontariosheep.org by October 9, 2024

Supports farmers to build resilient ecological farms and grow a strong knowledge-sharing community.

EFAO brings farmers together so they can learn from each other and improve the health of their soils, crops, livestock and the environment, while running profitable farm businesses.

EFAO’s annual conference draws farmers, growers, and food producers from across the food system for two days of intensive learning, idea-sharing, networking and celebration with good food and friends. With over 300 attendees, the EFAO Conference connects you with people who care passionately about farming and food.

Other Upcoming Events:

October 3rd - Field Day: Regenerative Grazing Field Day at Hawk Feather Farm

October 7th - Webinar: Panel Discussion on Value added Production

October 16th - Workshop: Seeding Saving Workshop at Shelldale Farm Park

October 21st - Webinar: Seed Saving

October 23rd - Workshop: Small Farm Equipment and Maintenance Workshop

October 28th - Webinar: Vegetable Crop Planning

Free Captive Bolt and Euthanasia Training

Proper training protects both workers and animals and is required under the National Farm Animal Care Councils (NFACCs) Codes of Practice. Appropriate technique ensures effective and efficient euthanasia that meets safety requirements and minimizes distress to the animal.

To Participate or Learn More: Contact Managing Director, Emma Payne, at projects@opic.on.ca or call 519-276-1943.

Take the Survey! - We Are Looking For Farmers & Farm Families

The purpose of this study is to assess the mental health well-being and mental health

help-seeking among farmers and farm families in Northwestern Ontario. 

You Could Win: As part of our appreciation for participating in the study, we will hold five random draws for a $50 gift card. This draw will be held after every 50 surveys are completed. 

Once you have participated, you will remain in the draw until the entire $250 is awarded.

OMAFA Dateline

OMAFA Dateline is an online calendar resource for use by interested individuals, businesses and organizations across Ontario. Calendar events may be hosted by OMAFA or other groups. The events posted on this site are aimed at sharing information to agriculture, agri-food businesses and regional economic development clients. Please check the calendar regularly for upcoming events, workshops, conferences and meetings or to post an event.

Food Safety and Growth Initiative - Now OPEN

Funding intake will remain open until all funds are committed.

The Food Safety and Growth Initiative (the Initiative) provides funding to small agri-food businesses to:

• modernize their food safety systems
• adopt new food safety and traceability equipment, technologies and standards
• stimulate growth in the agriculture and food sector

Applicants must:

• be a primary producer, processor or service provider in the agriculture or food sector
• have fewer than 100 employees at the project location

You could get 50% of eligible project costs up to a maximum of $75,000 per project.

You can have a maximum of 2 approved projects under the Initiative. 

If you are interested in this program please reach out to your local OMAFA advisor at the top of this newsletter for application coaching.

Intake 2 for Ontario’s On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)- OPEN

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis. 

The Ontario On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) provides cost-share funding to farmers to support the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) to tackle climate change through reducing emissions of GHGs and supporting increased carbon sequestration. Cost-share support to farmers is available under the project categories of nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing.

To be eligible to receive OFCAF funding, the proposed project must be new to the acres included in the application. A new practice is one that has not been previously implemented. Cost-share funding is available at 65% of approved project costs for practices implemented between April 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025. 

Honey Bee Health Initiative - OPEN

The Honey Bee Health Initiative helps to support beekeepers in maintaining healthy honey bee colonies as well as grow their number of colonies to increase the sustainability of the beekeeping industry in Ontario. 

Projects will focus on:

• Operational improvements that reduce biosecurity risks, overwintering loss, and to manage or prevent the introduction and spread of honey bee pests and disease
• Purchase of or modification to equipment or facilities necessary to improve hive health management practices
• Adoption or implementation of best management practices to prevent the introduction and spread of honey bee pests and diseases within a beekeeping operation
• Sampling and analysis for pests and diseases
• Purchase of new honey bee stock or queens to ensure healthy honey bees with genetic diversity and selection are integrated into Ontario’s honey bee population

Intake 2 of The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) - OPEN

As part of the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Initiative, OSCIA is delivering the second year of the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP), a five-year program providing funding to eligible Ontario farmers to implement projects focused on addressing climate change through reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sequestering carbon. 

Funding is available for:

• Natural Grassland Establishment
• Perennial Biomass Crops
• Perennial Warm Season Pastures
• Reduced Tillage;
• Tree and Shrub Planting
• Water Retention Features, and;
• Wetlands

The intake will close once available funding has been fully allocated. A farm business can have a maximum of two active applications submitted to the intake. 

The program guide provides information on eligible activities and costs, available funding, documentation required to be submitted with an application, and a link to the application form. 

Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation

INVEST North Program

The Invest North Program is designed to boost economic growth in Northern Ontario by encouraging businesses to invest in transformative, strategic and complementary business development opportunities in Northern communities. The program will support productivity, innovation, business competitiveness, revenue growth, export capacity development, job creation and retention.

Community Enhancement Program

The Community Enhancement Program is designed to help build strong and resilient Northern communities through infrastructure investments, to upgrade / repair existing assets to improve community quality of life, economic development infrastructure and strategic economic development initiatives

For a list of all NOHFC programming go to: https://nohfc.ca/en/nohfc_programs

Other E-mail Notices, Updates, Blogs and Podcasts that OMAFA offers

Food

Food and Beverage Industry Newsletter

Farm Business Registration

To register a farm business and get a Farm Business Registration number (FBR), please contact Agricorp at 1-866-327-367 fbr@agricorp.com | www.agricorp.com 

AgMaps

An online application that allows you to create custom maps and find agricultural information for Ontario, combining agricultural data on soils and drainage, as well as data layers from other Government of Ontario ministries.