This post was contributed to by Drs. Sarah Jandricic and Chevonne Dayboll.
Summer is in full swing, 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 information to help you optimize your irrigation, fertilizer and pest management programs in garden mums.
Continue reading “Garden Mums – 2020 Production and Protection Tips”
On May 14, 2020 the ministry announced the launch of the Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program for Producers. The intake is open to interested applicants and program materials have been posted online. As of June 12, the program has been expanded, in terms of available funding. Applications are being accepted until funding runs out. More details on this program can be found below. Continue reading “PROGRAM EXPANSION: Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program”
On May 14, 2020 the ministry announced the launch of the Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program for Producers. The intake is open to interested applicants and program materials have been posted online. Eligible applications for this cost-share funding will be received and assessed on a continuous basis, while funding is available, meaning that it may be an advantage to submit an application as early as possible.
There are two cost-share project categories under the program: Occupational Health and Safety Measures and Workforce Access and Accommodation. Both categories offer 70% cost-share up to $7,500. Projects must have started after May 14th to be eligible. Applicants may only submit one application per eligible business/farm property at a time. A maximum of one project per eligible business/farm property will be funded, no matter which category it falls under. Continue reading “New CAP intake: Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program”
It 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 updated infographics for JB control for those exporting to non-JB areas.
Looking to pivot to online sales or other marketing strategies? The Canadian Agricultural Partnership can help.
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) has just announced a new program to help fund agri-food businesses starting e-commerce sales or other activities that might open new market channels. This targeted intake is called “Agrifood Open for E-business” and can be found on the OMAFRA website.
Read on for more details of the program, who is eligible, and examples of projects ornamental growers can apply for in each of the two program streams.
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Information about the new CAP intake can be found at http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cap/index.htm
Stream 1 is looking to target businesses who need to bring their business online quickly. Eligible businesses include farmers (on-farm stores included), on-farm markets, garden centers, greenhouses and nurseries.
New CAP programming can help cover the costs of new website design, hosting fees, and marketing strategies.
Growers and garden centres can apply to receive up to $5,000 of funding to address marketing challenges through a new, expanded or enhanced on-line presence. Funding under this stream is designed to be quick and responsive for those needing timely solutions.
The priority here is to develop market channels to retain and/or expand sales with primary objective of bringing products to customers.
EXAMPLES from the ornamental sector that could be covered (starting as of April 24, 2020 unitl November 30, 2020) under Stream 1 include:
This stream thinks bigger. It provides cost-share funding to develop e-commerce business opportunities on a larger scale to implement high-impact projects. Individual businesses can apply, as can eligible organizations. Collaborations are also encouraged. Funding is available for up to 90 per cent of eligible costs up to $75,000 (although smaller projects are preferred).
Thinking about changing your business for the long term to access new and different markets? The CAP “Open for E-Business” intake may be able to help with that, too.
Stream 2 is not just about getting you online, it’s about creating stable, long term online marketing and sales platforms that will help businesses going forward. Priorities here are about creating or expanding new markets and revenue streams, and projects that meet broad business needs for the sector (e.g. an online platform that supports multiple businesses) and collaborative projects.
In this stream, applicants can show their projects are impactful by involving groups that represent multiple stakeholders, and/or by working together with other partners. Applicants can also show their project meets the needs of the broader sector by demonstrating industry support in other ways (such as support letters).
EXAMPLES for the ornamental sector that could be covered under Stream 2 include:
All applicants to Stream 2 should show the project is meeting the needs of their broader sector by demonstrating industry support through letters from customers, suppliers and grower organizations. A grower can also show the project is meeting the needs of their local area through support letters from regional organizations (e.g., local business/economic development groups).
More information about this new CAP “Agri-Food Open for E-Business” programming can be found at http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cap/index.htm
Make sure to check the Merit Criteria section closely! Note that costs relating to projects starting BEFORE April 24 will NOT be eligible. All applications should be submitted electronically to agpartnership@ontario.ca
Electronic forms for submission can be found here:
The electronic application form for Stream 1 is available here.
The electronic application form for Stream 2 is available here.
Growers and retailers can apply for one project under EACH stream, in order to get their e-commerce platforms up and running quickly AND to engage in longer term marketing and sales processes that strengthen the sector over the long run.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, and to respect physical distancing measures, all our specialists are working remotely but are still available to assist you.
We will continue to support the sector’s needs by providing services via email, phone and virtual meetings where possible. We understand these are trying times for most and so we want to assure everyone that we are continuing delivery of information in a timely manner through these alternative channels.
We will continue to provide the sector with the support we’ve always given. Thank you for your understanding. Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
What’s happening?
The Ontario government announced a new intake to the the streamlined Greenhouse Competitiveness and Innovation Initiative (GCII). There is up to $4.5 million in funding available for new and innovative projects. The initiative will be delivered through the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC). Continue reading “Greenhouse Competitiveness and Innovation Initiative: Phase 2”
Starting on January 8, 2020, producers, processors, and other businesses can apply for cost-share funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership . The deadline for applying is January 20th.
Similar to previous programs (such as Growing Forward 2), this is a five-year commitment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments that will support Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors.
Keep reading for more information on this program, or talk to your local OMAFRA or OSCIA representative.
Continue reading “Cost-share funding open to Canadian growers January 8th”
Tomatoes infected with the Rugose virus. Photo courtesy of HortiDaily.
By now, you may of heard of the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV), referred to more simply as “Rugose”. It is a viral disease that predominately impacts tomato plants, but also peppers, leaving fruit damaged and unmarketable.
It was first detected in Israel in 2014 but has now been found in parts of North America.
If you are a Canadian ornamental grower that ALSO grows tomato liners as part of your spring crop selection, or if you grow ORNAMENTAL PEPPERS, here is what you need to know regarding Rugose symptoms, prevention and more importantly, regulations.
Continue reading “The Rugose Virus Threat – Will it Affect Your Spring Crops?”
Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica) adults are starting to take flight in southern Ontario. They have been spotted in Hamilton and Niagara this week. Read on for an updated post on WHAT and WHEN to spray for JB to meet certification requirements if you ship product outside Ontario.
Continue reading “Japanese Beetles are in Flight! How to control JB under the new GCP regulations.”
The next CAP intake for producers, processors and other agri-businesses is March 22 through May 6.
Please see the link here for the news release.
More information will be available on the websites of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Associationand the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on or before March 8, 2019.
via Next Canadian Agriculture Partnership (CAP) Intake has been Announced — onspecialtycrops