Ontario is investing $6 million over the next six years via the  Ontario Craft Cider Marketing Fund (CCMF) to assist provincial craft cideries spur growth through product marketing.

Provincial funding adds sparkle to Ontario’s craft cider marketing

Ontario is investing $6 million over the next six years to assist provincial craft cideries spur growth through product marketing. “The Ontario Craft Cider Marketing Fund (CCMF) is the single most impactful development for the Ontario craft and cider industry in over a decade,” said Jenifer Dean, Ontario Craft Cider Association (OCCA) chair. “The industry […] Read more

Governments invest in food safety, industry growth

Governments invest in food safety, industry growth

Ontario and Canada commit $5 million to bolster smaller agrifood businesses in the province

Small agriculture and food industry businesses can soon apply for up to $75,000 to enhance food safety systems. The province has earmarked $5 million in cost-share funding from Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership funds, issued through Ontario’s Food Safety and Growth Initiative. Successful projects can receive up to 50 per cent of eligible costs, to a […] Read more

Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agri-business, left, speaks with farmers following an announcement for $2 million in funding for the Ontario Beef Marketing Program and a $240 million increase to the Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee program at Henrydale Farms in Carleton Place, July 29, 2024.

Ontario beefing up support for cattle producers

A $240 million increase to the Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee program will help strengthen Ontario’s beef sector. The increase doubles the loan program’s scope to $500 million in low-interest finance to support short-term needs and long-term growth of feeder cattle co-operatives and their members. Why it matters: Increased funding for the guaranteed loans provides sector […] Read more

Long hours, high input costs and low returns are just a few of the reasons many farmers struggle with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Farm workers get access to mental health support

New funding will provide services in Spanish

The Farmer Wellness Initiative (FWI) is getting $538,000 to diversify its free agriculture-based mental health services. The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership funding allows expanded FWI programming for Ontario farmers, farm workers and their families, including $178,000 to develop Spanish-speaking mental health services to serve international agricultural workers better. “The entire agricultural community experiences unique stressors […] Read more

Automation is one of the new research clusters.

S-Cap invests $23.55 million into horticulture to boost competitiveness

Horticulture research and innovation is getting a $23.55 million boost from the federal and provincial governments. The multi-year Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (S-CAP) investment will increase Vineland Research and Innovation Centre’s (VRIC) research and innovation capacity and advanced horticultural research infrastructure. “The VRIC is a key part of Ontario’s wider agri-food research capabilities that drive […] Read more


Photo: 4-H Canada/Facebook

Funding cut shouldn’t affect local 4-H clubs

AAFC has cut its funding to 4-H Canada by 30 per cent, but group says it has other irons in the fire

A recent federal funding cut shouldn’t affect local 4-H clubs, at least for now, says 4-H Canada. The national organization said its most recent round of funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada totals $1.7 million over three years. In the past, it has received about $1 million per year, said interim CEO Hugh Maynard by email.

Feds plan to invest in processing projects

Feds plan to invest in processing projects

The money comes from a fund earmarked to help supply managed sectors hurt by trade deal

The federal government will invest $89 million in 49 processing projects in the supply managed sector. Agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay was in Ingleside, Ont., at the Lactalis Canada cheese plant to make the Feb. 5 announcement. The projects are through the six-year, $397.5-million Supply Management Processing Investment Fund, which is part of Ottawa's commitment to help sectors that lost market share due to trade agreements.

Dairy processors get funding boost

Dairy processors get funding boost

The province’s dairy processing sector is receiving $8 million from the governments of Canada and Ontario to increase efficiencies and enhance food safety. The funding, provided through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), will allow dairy processors in Ontario to “access the technology they need to continue to grow and improve their efficiency,” Lawrence […] Read more



Canadian Agriculture and Agrifood Minister, Lawrence McCauley (right) and CCC vice president, crop production and innovation, Curtis Rempel at the funding announcement at the Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre at Glenlea, Man.
 Photo: Don Norman

Canola sector gets research boost

The federal government is putting up $9 million to drive the sustainable growth of Canada’s canola sector. The funding comes from the AgriScience Program—Clusters Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and was announced today (Nov. 14) in Winnipeg by Lawrence MacAulay, the federal agriculture minister. “This new Canola Cluster will build on […] Read more