Originally announced in the fall 2021 budget, the $25 million Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund Program will launch April 1, 2022. “Ontario’s food processing sector faces challenges to their ability to process more of the food that is grown in the province, including aging technology and facilities,” the government says in a press release. “Many aging food… Read More
Tag: Lisa Thompson
The governments of Canada and Ontario are supplying $900,000 — through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) — to launch an innovative tool to connect meat and poultry farmers with abattoirs that have available processing capacity and to support recruitment, retention, and training initiatives in the industry. The new Farmer-Processor Connections Initiative, led by Meat and… Read More
The Ontario government is increasing loan limits for the Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee Program from $500,000 to $1 million for individual co-op members, and up to $1.5 million for corporations that participate in feeder cattle co-operatives. The government says the increase applies to “experienced” individuals and corporations only. The loan guarantee is designed to help beef… Read More
Welcome to this Wednesday edition of RealAg Radio. We’re continuing the reflection of the past year with interviews from June and July. On today’s show, you’ll hear: Lisa Thompson, Ontario Agriculture Minister, fresh off being named ag minister and her key priorities; Jeff Yorga, Saskatchewan Stock Growers’ Association, on drought and decision-making by livestock growers in… Read More
The governments of Canada and Ontario are funding two new multi-year mental health initiatives, specialized to support the agriculture sector. More than $7 million dollars through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership will go towards The Guardians Network, a new program modelled after the Farmer Wellness Program, pioneered by mental health specialist Deborah Vanberkel. The program will… Read More
The Ontario government will spend $25 million over three years to strengthen the agri-food supply chain through the Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund. The funding is designed to “incentivize industry investment in projects that help address the processing capacity shortage and increase the sector’s competitiveness and resilience against future disruptions,” the province says. Lisa Thompson, Minister… Read More
Agriculture ministers from across the country have agreed to five broad priorities, but few details, for the next agricultural policy framework following three days of meetings in Guelph, Ont. The ministers released the “Guelph Statement” on Wednesday, which sets the direction for the suite of federal, provincial, and territorial programs from 2023 to 2028. The… Read More
The governments of Canada and Ontario will spend $2.6 million on Ontario-led agri-food research to develop new technologies, practices, and solutions for the sector. Funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) will support programs focusing on enhancing food safety, developing innovative production systems, and increasing plant health and protection, the province says. Some of the… Read More
The governments of Canada and Ontario will deliver $3 million over three initiatives to enhance biosecurity and support the provincial pork sector’s African swine fever (ASF) prevention and emergency preparedness efforts, the province says. Starting November 5, 2021, and under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, processors and other agri-businesses can access an intake to support training,… Read More
The Ontario government says it will deliver immediate assistance to livestock farmers impacted by drought in northwestern Ontario by committing provincial funding for AgriRecovery. The province is committing up to $5 million in funding for the 40 per cent provincial cost share. The federal government recently announced $100 million for AgriRecover across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba,… Read More