News
Date set for funding opportunities for farmers and food processors

Ontario and the federal government recently announced that beginning this month farmers and other businesses can again apply for support under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) for projects to boost innovation, economic development, environmental stewardship and food safety.

The intake will take place between March 22, 2019 and May 6, 2019. More information will be available on the websites of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on or before March 8, 2019.

To date, both the federal and provincial governments have committed cost-share support for more than 1,350 projects through the initiative to help eligible farmers, businesses and sector organizations innovate and grow.

These actions build on progress achieved though previous cost-share programming extended to these businesses and to sector organizations and collaborations.

“The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is our commitment to farmers, processors and agri-food businesses that strategic funding for key initiatives will be there to help them grow, innovate, and prosper. Our Government is proud to support this strong and competitive sector as it continues to create well-paying middle class jobs for Canadians and meet the world’s growing demand for its high-quality products,” said Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay.

This cost-share funding will support projects in the following key priority areas:

• Economic development in the agri-food and agri-products sectors
• Environmental stewardship to enhance water quality and soil health
• Protection and assurance to reinforce the foundation for public trust in the sector through improved assurance systems in food safety and plant and animal health

“Our Government for the People is working with Ontario’s hard-working and innovative farmers and other business operators in our agriculture and agri-food sector to make it more open for business. Through these investments from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, we will strengthen this key economic driver in our province and help eligible businesses grow, improve and prosper,” said Ernie Hardeman, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) administers cost-share funding under the Partnership to processors and other businesses (animal health, commercializers and primary agri-food businesses). More information about the next application intake will be available on March 5, 2019 on the OMAFRA website or by calling OMAFRA at: 1-877-424-1300

The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) administers cost-share funding under the Partnership to farmers and other businesses (plant health). More information about next application intake will be available on March 5, 2019 on the OSCIA website or by calling OMAFRA at: 1-877-424-1300

Program guides will made be available at: www.ontarioprogramguides.net

Applicants will be able submit applications online at: www.ontarioprograms.net