Ontario will dip into a $20 million fund for livestock and horticulture producers to back business training and a phone-in help line.
The provincial government on Wednesday said it will direct $300,000 from that funding to the Centre for Rural Leadership. The centre will use the money to identify and deliver “the greatest immediate business training needs” for hog, beef cattle and horticulture producers.
The centre will work with farm groups and training organizations to set up business planning and market development workshops for Ontario farm families, the province said.
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The not-for-profit Farm Line, meanwhile, will get $200,000 to boost its phone support services and set up more training for peer volunteers and regional services, especially in areas with higher numbers of farmers needing support.
The toll-free and bilingual Farm Line offers peer-to-peer emotional support and referrals to mentoring and advisory services that deal with farm family dynamics as well as legal and financial issues.
“We are working to put farmers on a stronger footing, emotionally and financially,” said Agriculture Minister Leona Dombrowsky in a release.
This cash comes from a $20 million pot that was pledged Dec. 14 for a “variety of initiatives” for the hog, cattle and horticulture sectors, the same day as a promise of direct aid worth $100 million for livestock producers and $30 million for horticulture producers. The direct payments are expected to flow through Agricorp to about 13,000 eligible farmers starting next month.
