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.
GROWING FORWARD 2 FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND COLLABORATIONS
What’s new with Growing Forward 2? Applications are now being accepted until April 21. In Ontario, Growing Forward 2 (GF2) offers resources, tools and cost-share funding assistance to eligible organizations and collaborations to grow their profits, expand markets and manage shared risks.
The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) (http://www.adaptcouncil.org/) administers GF2 to organizations and collaborations across Ontario on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
To apply for GF2 cost-share funding assistance:
1. Review the website (http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/growingforward/gf2-org.htm#T3) for information on Cost-share Funding Assistance Program Guide for Organizations and Collaborations.
2. Submit a pre-proposal on the website (http://adaptcouncil.org/program-details.php?id=0j4w3c6i8q1r) prior to completing an application form. This provides the AAC an opportunity to review the project and provide feedback.
3. Enrol in the GF2 Client Portal (http://www.ontarioprograms.net/) as an organization or a collaboration, prior to submitting an application. Organizations and collaborations must register in the GF2 Client Portal by a person who is authorized to sign the application form on behalf of the applicant and bind the applicant. The lead applicant for a collaboration must enrol online through the GF2 Client Portal.
4. Submit your application in Word and the project work plan, total sources of funding, budget, and forecast in Excel to the AAC at info@adaptcouncil.org (PDF versions not accepted). Application forms, instructions and submission deadlines can be found on the AAC website (http://adaptcouncil.org/program-details.php?id=0j4w3c6i8q1r).
5. Send all items outlined on the Application Checklist (as provided in the application form), including the signed Declaration and Attestation forms for Collaboration Members (if applicable), via email, mail or fax to the Agricultural Adaptation Council, 381 Elmira Road North, Unit 1, Guelph, ON N1K 1H3.
Telephone: 519-822-7554, Fax: 519-822-6248, Email: info@adaptcouncil.org.
EMPLOYMENT ONTARIO
Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG): UpSkill pilot call for proposal (CFP) has re-opened. Applicants have until April 18, to apply for COJG: UpSkill. The application is accessible on the website (http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/eopg/cojg/).
COJG: UpSkill funds partnerships to develop and implement sector-specific, integrated essential and technical skills training for employees. The program will help employers meet workforce development needs by providing employees with high quality, short-term skills training aligned with their shared business needs.
The total funding for the COJG: UpSkill pilot will be based on the number of employees who will be participating in the training. The government will cover two-thirds of the direct training costs, up to $10,000 per trainee. Employers must contribute at least one-third of eligible costs in cash.
Targeted sectors for the pilot are:
– Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting;
– Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction; and
– Manufacturing including Food.
For further assistance, employers can contact the Employment Ontario Contact Centre toll-free at: 1-800-387-5656, or through the TTY line: 1-866-533-6339.
COMING EVENTS
April 16 – Ontario Rabbit Annual General Meeting, Moorefield Community Centre. For more information and to register please visit website http://ontariorabbit.ca/ or e-mail info@ontariorabbit.ca.
April 15 to 17 – Green Living Show, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, 255 Front Street West, Toronto. For more information, please visit the website http://www.greenlivingshow.ca/.
