Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SRED) tax incentives

Are staff at your greenhouse conducting research, solving problems, and promoting development on site? Then you may be eligible for a tax incentive!

Read more about the SRED program and how you can participate.

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Changes to Retrofit Program

Increases to non-lighting incentives this fall plus Instant Discounts program for lighting launching in December.

Updates to the Save on Energy Retrofit program‘s prescriptive incentives increase most non-lighting measures. The new incentives will come into effect on October 30, 2023.

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New Farmer Mental Health Initiative

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing over $8 million to support the mental wellness of farmers and their families.

This investment will ensure that key programs continue to be available to Ontario growers through December 31, 2024.

To learn more about the resources available, keep reading.

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Funding for Growers: Biosecurity Improvement Initiative under S-CAP Program

Overview

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a $3.5 billion, 5-year agreement (April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2028) between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. It replaces the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs and activities by the governments. In Ontario, this includes up to $569 million toward the agri-food industry.

The programs under the Sustainable CAP will:

  • support the vision and priorities the federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers agreed to in The Guelph Statement
  • strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector

One program delivered under S-CAP that is particularly relevant to greenhouses is the Biosecurity Improvement Initiative.

Biosecurity Improvement Initiative

  • Will launch Sept 19 2023
  • Continuous intake until January 6th
  • $7.5 M available – first come, first serve basis
  • Reimbursement based
  • Delivered by OMAFRA by Rural Programs Branch (previously has been OSCIA)
  • Call AICC for more information
  • Guidelines are now up on Ontario.ca: find them HERE

Categories include:

  • Preventing introduction and spread of pests (up to 50K per project)
  • Innovative pest monitoring tools (Up to 50K per project)
  • Learning and Education related to biosecurity
  • Others…

Requirements:

  • OSCIA biosecurity workshop (NOT required, but recommended)
  • Quotes
  • Assessment (e.g. against national biosecurity standards)
  • Action plan based on assessment

More information will come soon!

New Incentives for Distributed Energy Resources (DER) for Greenhouses in Southwestern Ontario

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON ONGREENHOUSEVEGETABLES.CA on  by Fadi Al-Daoud

The Save on Energy Retrofit program is offering a NEW incentive for Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) for greenhouses in the Southwest region of the province. This new initiative is part of the Retrofit for Greenhouses stream of the program, with a focus on the Southwest region. A Greenhouse Distributed Energy Resources (DER) measure is available to greenhouse facilities within certain areas of Southwestern Ontario. The incentives include those for an integrated Solar Photovoltaic and Battery Storage System where none previously existed.

Incentives

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) $1435.00/kW

and

Battery Storage: $260.00/kWh

Eligibility

Facilities installing DERs must be located in the following postal codes:

N0P, N0R, N8H, N8M, N8N, N8P, N8R, N8S, N8T, N8V, N8W, N8X, N8Y, N9A, N9B, N9C, N9E, N9G, N9H, N9J, N9K, N9V, N9Y

Applications are subject to the eligibility criteria specified within the: Greenhouse Distributed Energy Resources Eligible Measures Prescriptive Worksheet available at Application documents for the Retrofit program | Save on Energy

Contact

For more information on the program, visit the Save on Energy Web site Agriculture incentives with the Retrofit program | Save on Energy or contact the Retrofit Save on Energy Delivery Agent for the SW region at  1-877-247-1095 or SouthwesternOutreach@retrofitprogram.ca

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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