Place to Grow: Agri-Food Innovation Initiative provides cost-share funding opportunities to agriculture and food-value chain partners, which encourages greater collaboration to identify opportunities and address challenges in the sector.

The Place to Grow Guide for Applicants provides detailed program information around available funding and applicant requirements. Additionally, program inquiries can be directed to the Agriculture Information Contact Center at: 1-877-424-1300.

• Maximize cash flow
• Low or no interest
• Financing for production or marketing
• Year-round operating capital

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot will test a new, industry-specific approach to help address the labour needs of the Canadian agri-food sector, particularly in meat processing and mushroom production.

While immigration in the agricultural sector is largely based on seasonal workers, this pilot aims to enhance the benefits of economic immigration to the agri-food sector by testing a new pathway to permanent residence.

The pilot will seek to attract experienced, non-seasonal workers who can economically establish in Canada, and who support the ongoing labour needs of the agri-food sector.

Details on how individuals may apply for permanent residence through this pilot will be available in early 2020.

The Brigid Rivoire Award for Champions of Agricultural Mental Health annually recognizes a specific initiative that has made outstanding contributions in raising awareness, addressing stigma, and supporting mental health for farmers in their local community. This annual award includes a $2,000 donation to a mental health initiative of the recipient’s choice, along with an invitation to attend the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s (CFA) Annual General Meeting in February with all expenses paid.The recipient will also be profiled by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture through a written profile highlighting their work in the community and sharing the good work they have done.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest is October 11th, 2019.

Farm Management Canada is launching a new National Farm Leadership Program designed for Canadian farmers. Few of us consider our own leadership as a competitive advantage, however research shows that leader effectiveness can account for as much as 1/3 of business performance. Farm Management Canada has engaged LeaderShift Inc. to support the development of leader effectiveness in Canada’s ag sector.

Interested in enrolling?

Farm Management Canada is seeking to honour individuals or groups with the 2019 Wilson Loree Award.  This prestigious award was established over fifteen years ago, to honour those that have made an extraordinary contribution to developing and promoting new and positive change in agricultural business management practices and expertise in Canada.

Nominations are required by October 4, 2019.

Ontario has four seasons. Many advances have been made to expand the growing season from weeks to several months. Because of our seasonality, different crops are harvested at different times of the year. Click on a month below to view the availability of Ontario’s bounty.

See when Ontario fruits and vegetables are in season. Plus, get seasonal updates and more on our Facebook and Twitter pages. To help make healthier food choices, consider using the Foodland Ontario nutrition guide.

Harvest Ontario is all about discovering agricultural oriented attractions in the form of day-trip style outings which can last an hour, a weekend or more.

Economical, fun, healthy and educational, agritourism is without a doubt, the best-valued family experience available today.

Social Impacts of Digital Agricultural Technologies: Perspectives from Canada

Invitation to participate in a research project – University of Guelph

The objective of this study is to understand farmer perspectives of precision agriculture technology, to understand how these technologies are being used on the farm, to examine farmers’ use of agricultural data and their perceptions of digital agricultural data rights and ownership.

Veal Farmers of Ontario (VFO) and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), have developed a Cost of Production (COP) tool to help producers calculate their annual costs and use them for planning.

The COP tool was designed to accommodate multiple production systems, including growing to finishing, starting with preconditioned calves, or a combination of both.

As the Ontario veal sector continues to evolve, tools and resources that help producers determine their COP will be extremely useful for current veal producers and new entrants looking to improve business management and profitability, and better evaluate expansion and start-up opportunities.

Ontario farmers who are in AgriStability don’t need to wait to apply for a 2019 AgriStability payment. AgriStability interim payment applications are now available; interim payments can provide cash flow sooner, when it’s needed most. Interim payments are 50 per cent of a farmer’s estimated final payment.

Farmers whose income has declined more than 30 per cent can contact Agricorp to apply for an interim payment. Customers can call Agricorp at 1-888-247-4999 or complete an interim payment application.

In addition, AgriStability participants who are experiencing financial distress can call Agricorp to ask for their 2018 forms to be prioritized for review.

A variety of excellent workshops and webinars are offered at no cost by OSCIA as part of Canadian Agricultural Partnership to assist Ontario farm businesses in identifying strengths and weaknesses in a variety of areas that influence the farm’s profitability, productivity and sustainability. The workshops and webinars each have a different focus and different goals.

Details coming soon at www.cafanet.ca or email info@cafanet.ca.

Thursday, January 23, 2020, Ivey Spencer, London

Farm Transition education day for farm advisors and farm managers.

Watch for details at www.cafanet.ca.

Thursday, April 23, 2020 Ivey Spencer, London

A day focusing on what women in farming want and need to know.

Watch for details at www.cafanet.ca.

Thursday, June 4, 2020, Elmhurst Inn, Ingersoll

Leading edge farm business management tools and insight.

Watch for details at www.cafanet.ca.

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