Funding Alert: Agricultural Clean Technology Program (ACT) Adoption Stream

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Adoption Stream opens today until June 22nd. Read on for more information on the program and how to apply!

The ACT program, a part of the Government of Canada’s strengthened climate plan, aims to create a supporting environment for the adoption of clean technologies that will support the sustainable growth of the agricultural sector. The ACT Adoption Stream will provide non-repayable grants between $25,000 and $2 million to help producers to purchase and install equipment that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other associated environmental benefits.

Program priorities are in the following three key areas:

  1. Green energy and energy efficiency
  2. Precision agriculture
  3. Bioeconomy solutions

Examples of eligible activities include:

  • Energy-efficient, low-emissions equipment (heating, ventilation, or solar energy systems)
  • Nutrient efficiency (soil sensors, yield monitors)
  • Bio-product and biomass boiler heating

More examples can be found on the AAFC website.

Cost-sharing contributions towards eligible costs are:

  1. AAFC – a maximum of 40%
  2. You – a minimum of 60%

How to apply

For more information on the program and to complete the application and apply, click here.

Japanese Beetle Control 2023: Changes to Allowable Pesticides and Updates to Infographic

It will soon be that time of year again, when Japanese beetle (JB) adults begin to fly! However, there have been some changes to acceptable control products for JB growers need to be aware of in order to be in compliance with certification programs for this pest.

This post highlights changes to treatments and also provides an updated infographic for JB control for those exporting to non-JB areas (both domestically and to the United States).

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Free Access to Mental Health Counselling for Farmers

Farming can be a uniquely stressful situation, and many farmers don’t know where to turn when they are experiencing workplace, financial, or family stress.

Ontario is now offering a new service that caters to the unique concerns of farmers.

Read on for more information about Ontario’s Farmer Wellness Initiative, as well as for other farmer-centric mental health resources.

It’s never too soon or too late to ask for help.

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COVID-19 Information for Employers

If you employ Temporary Foreign Workers in your greenhouse this post is for you! Read on for important information and resources.

Firstly, OMAFRA has established a voluntary registry to distribute important COVID-19 information to employers. You can register here to get direct updates regarding Temporary Foreign Worker and COVID-19 issues to your email inbox.

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Funding Opportunity: The Greenhouse Technology Network

This guest blog post was written by Dr. Rita Sterne, Project Manager with the Greenhouse Technology Network. Read on for important information about this funding opportunity.

Why do we need a Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN)?

Success for a greenhouse business comes from many things including balancing systems, constant vigilance, and the use of technologies across complex production activities.  From tools, equipment, and machines, to methods, systems, and techniques, new and improved technologies must help growers run  a profitable businesses in a world where there are increasing demands from society, environment, and economy. 

Technological advancements often develop in response to a challenge, but research and development is a costly undertaking for many small and medium sized businesses and some persistent challenges require research expertise that is hard to access.  This is where the Greenhouse Technology Network can help!

Robotic technology in a greenhouse.

What is the Greenhouse Technology Network?

The need for new and improved technologies is the driver behind the Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN), a consortium of three research-focused institutions. GTN members leverage their research expertise in greenhouse technologies with greenhouse and related technology businesses to help grow innovation in Ontario’s greenhouse industry.

Powered by funding from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, GTN members help businesses de-risk innovation activities and help new and improved technologies get to greenhouse growers faster where they will help business thrive and grow.

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Cost-Share Funding Alert: Canadian Agricultural Partnership Intake Opens November 15th

The next application intake for cost-share funding under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) will be November 15 to December 6, 2021. This is good timing if you are looking to implement improvements in your greenhouse for the 2022 season.

Adopting innovative automation to improve labour productivity is an eligible project area. (Image of an automatic cutting transplanter; AutoStix)
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Safely transitioning your greenhouse operation into Step 3

Ontario continues to make tremendous progress in its vaccine rollout. Keeping your greenhouse safe during reopening is a priority for the sector, and having a vaccinated workforce is a key measure in this effort. Receiving a vaccine is a voluntary and personal choice: read on for resources to enable your greenhouse staff to make informed decisions.

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Japanese Beetle Control: 2021 Considerations

japanese beetle_daveIt will soon be that time of year again, when Japanese beetle adults begin to fly!

However, the cooler spring means pupation may take longer. So what does that mean for timing of control products?

This post answers those questions and provides current infographics for JB control for those exporting to non-JB areas.

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Garden Mums – 2021 Production and Protection Tips

praying mantis on garden mums

This post was contributed to by Drs. Sarah Jandricic, Andrew C. Wylie and Chevonne Dayboll.

Summer is getting underway, and so too are garden mums!  Although generally an easy crop, there several tweaks you can make to help save headaches AND money.

This post has updated information to help you optimize your irrigation, fertilizer and pest management programs in garden mums.

New Resources for Mum Production

Hit your exact ship size on your ship date using Graphical Tracking

Track and even out the growth of your mums using a graphical tracking tool with a few easy steps:

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New Covid-19 Funding Alert! Agri-tech Innovation Program webinar on May 20th

As I mentioned in my last post, it’s incredible how fast the sector is evolving when it comes to Covid-19 and mitigating its effects in agriculture.

OMAFRA is pleased to announce the new Agri-Tech Innovation Program, with $22M in funding to help farms adopt innovative technologies that protect workers against Covid-19.

To learn more about this program, see the details below for the information webinar on Thursday at 9 am.

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