A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm.
For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra.
2016 PREMIER’S AWARD FOR AGRI-FOOD INNOVATION
The Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence program supports and recognizes the dedication, hard work and innovation of local agri-food businesses and individuals who are adding value to existing products, helping create jobs and contributing to economic growth.
Submit your application at http://bit.ly/19CywZk by 5pm on April 15 to be eligible for a chance to win one of the following awards:
– Premier’s Award – one $75,000 award available;
– Minister’s Award – one $50,000 award available;
– Leaders in Innovation Award – three $25,000 awards available; and
– Provincial Award – 45 $5,000 awards available.
Program applications are reviewed by two independent panels consisting of agri-food industry representatives from across the province.
You are eligible to apply under the program if you are:
– a primary producer/farmer;
– a resident of Ontario; and
– a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
Any one of the following four options will be acceptable for enrollment and application for the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence:
– provide a valid 2015 Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN);
– provide a copy of your 2015 Gross Farm Income Exemption Certificate received from the Farm Tax Property Program;
– beginning farmers and those who actively farmed in 2015 can provide a copy of the Property Assessment Notice from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) confirming the property is classified as “Farm Taxable: Full” (eligible for the Farm Property Class tax rate), or a copy of the municipal tax bill declaring the property as “Farm Taxable”;
– if a farm business chooses not to have a FBRN for cultural or religious reasons, they must provide the following:
– religious reasons – a copy of the Religious Exemption Letter as provided by OMAFRA Tribunal; or
– cultural reasons – First Nations producers may provide a letter from the Indian Agriculture Program of Ontario (IAPO) verifying the farm business operates in the First Nations Community.
Review the entire application checklist at www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/premier_award/checklist.htm to ensure you have completed all steps correctly.
For more information about the awards and the application process, review the program guidebook at www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/premier_award/guidebook.htm
If you have any questions or would like a hard copy of the application form, contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
COMING EVENTS
March 21 to 23 – Progressive Dairy Operators, International Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre, Toronto,. For more information and registration, visit http://bit.ly/1LIbA8F or call 519-515-9956.
March 23 – 2016 Value of Biogas Conference, Woodbine Convention Centre, Toronto. For more information, visit www.biogasassociation.ca/VOB.
