| We thoroughly enjoyed celebrating the delicious and seasonally abundant products while the days were long. Many gardeners have tucked their gardens away for the year, while others are busy planting for next year. Farmers are in the midst of harvesting their crops and preparing their barns for winter operations. Foresters are actively managing their woodlots, clearing paths, and repairing sap lines. Whether you worked the field or enjoyed its bounty, the upcoming season promises its own unique benefits that we can eagerly anticipate a few moons from now. In this season, our focus will shift slightly towards other aspects of our vision, providing more opportunities for education, resources for funding, and networking. Let’s continue sowing the seeds of connections and growing our communities. |
| Funding & Grants |
| Venture-Capital Ready: Investment Training for Women Entrepreneurs The Governments of Ontario & Canada have invested $6.5M to launch the Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub and deliver the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative Commercialization Stream. The Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub will offer support to innovative companies, providing mentoring and advisory services in agri-food business acceleration, growth planning, and investment readiness. It will also support businesses across the agri-food supply chain in adopting innovation. The intake for OAFRI formally opens on Thursday, November 2nd, 2023. For program details, a Call for Proposals document, and application information, click here. |
| AgriWorkplace Skills Training Program This program is a pilot training initiative designed to help employers train and retain their workers in primary agriculture. It supports the training of both employers and employees through e-learning and on-the-job training. It is open to producers in apples, beef, crops, dairy, greenhouse, mushrooms, and swine. For more details, learn more here. |
| Sustainable New Agri-Food Products and Productivity (SNAPP) Program SNAPP is designed for northern Ontario agriculture and food producers and businesses. It provides up to $10,000 at a 50% cost-share towards the purchase of equipment and materials that enhance innovation, productivity, efficiency, and ecological impact reduction. Applications for intake 2 will be accepted from November 6, 2023, to January 12, 2024. Learn more about how to apply here. |
| Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal‐provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. |
| Honey Bee Health Initiative Ontario beekeepers holding a valid certificate of registration are eligible to apply for this cost-share funding up to a maximum of $25,000. This funding is available to help support beekeepers in maintaining healthy honey bee colonies as well as grow their number of colonies to increase the sustainability of the beekeeping industry in Ontario. Intake will close when the funding has been fully allocated. Click here to learn more and apply. |
| Maple Production Improvement Initiative Provides eligible maple syrup producers access to cost-shared funding to support a range of activities to enhance their operations. 50% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $20,000 per project. Costs can be applied retroactively to April 1, 2023. To be eligible, applicants must have a minimum of 1,000 taps in operation, as of April 1, 2023 and meet other criteria. Intake opens November 9, 2023. Click here to learn more. |
Networking & Community Support
Local 334 NFU Community Pot Luck
Join us on Saturday afternoon, November 4, from 12:30-4 p.m. at Portico Gardens, Prince Edward County, NFU member farm of Arlette and Dave Fortin, located at 1473 County Rd. 2, Bloomfield ON (between Carrying Place and Bloomfield). The venue is in a fully enclosed barn/market space, well sheltered, with a bit of heat, so please dress appropriately. Featuring guest speaker and discussion with active NFU Youth member Maddie Marmor, co-creator of the farming podcast Sow and Grow. Bring the whole family, utensils, and some food to share: entree or appetizers, dessert or salad, bread…
RSVP is strongly encouraged but not required, email RSVP to [email protected]
We previously braved the elements with hearts warmed by soup and stories, and Mother Nature couldn’t dampen our spirits. A huge shoutout to the organizing committee for putting together this wonderful gathering. Chef Sam’s delicious soup and fresh focaccia were a hit, and Bonnie’s hot lemonade rose petal cider was pure magic.
The committee is eager to gather again, possibly as early as Sunday, November 19th (weather permitting). But we need a host location. Do you have a seasonally appropriate location suitable for a few members to get together over a cup of soup from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.? We can provide everything we need for the soup, and we will encourage attendees to bring their own mug and spoon. We will also ensure that we leave no trash behind.
If you’re interested in being our host, please email us at [email protected]
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