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.
APPLY NOW FOR A 2017 PREMIER’S AWARD FOR AGRI-FOOD INNOVATION EXCELLENCE
The Premier’s Award for the 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 omafra.secure.force.com/PA/PA_intro_en by 11:59pm on April 28 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.
Review the application checklist – 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 omafra.gov.on.ca/english/premier_award/guidebook.htm or contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
GROWING FORWARD 2 – HELPING YOU REACH YOUR GOALS
Growing Forward 2 (GF2) is a federal-provincial initiative that encourages innovation, competitiveness and market development in Canada’s agri-food and agri products sector. Whether you are starting out, or have been in business a long time, GF2 can help you reach your goals. In Ontario, GF2 offers resources, tools and cost-share funding assistance to eligible producers, processors, organizations and collaborations to grow their profits, expand markets and manage shared risks.
Producers can submit an application for cost-share funding assistance from April 4 to 18 and May 12 to June 1. Organizations and collaborations can submit an application for cost-share funding assistance until April 20.
The last intake under the processor stream closed Nov. 3, 2016.
In addition, processors that meet the criteria are eligible to apply as a collaboration under the organizations and collaborations at omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/growingforward/gf2-org.htm stream of the program administered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council.
View the Program Guide at adaptcouncil.org/uploads/file/GF2-Program-Guide-Version-7-October-2016.pdf.
Governments are working together to develop the next agricultural policy framework. Visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s website at bit.ly/2mpOfXw for more information.
