GUELPH — A massive fund has been set up for Ontario producers under the Canadian Ag Partnership that covers new projects in market development, environmental stewardship and animal, plant health and food safety.
The $1.5-billion five-year partnership was announced April 3, and includes $1.1 billion in business risk management funding and $417 million for on-farm projects, available on a cost-share basis, split 60/40 between the federal and provincial governments. Funding will be “merit-based,” and amounts will be individually determined, according to OMAFRA. The program replaces the Growing Forward 2 program.
Funding will be project-focused and include development of international and domestic markets, improving productivity through technology and innovations, creating new products, practices and processes, introducing new food, plant and animal safety systems and soil and water stewardship projects “to reinforce the foundation for public trust,” according to OMAFRA.
The application window is open until May 8. Producers can submit an application to www.ontarioprograms.net. Farmers can call 1-877-424-1300 or send an email to agpartnership@ontario.ca for an electronic or physical copy of the application form.
