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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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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OMAFRA’s Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Program Extended until Friday, March 12.

Enhaced Worker Protection Program Have you applied for OMAFRA’s Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program (EAWPP), to help mitigate risks and costs from COVID??? If not, there’s still time!

The deadline for submitting eligible expenses has been extended. Eligible applications for project expenditures incurred as of March 15, 2020 are received and reviewed on an ongoing basis. Financial assistance is available until March 12, 2021.

More information is available at OMAFRA’s COVID-19 landing page. Links to expenses covered under the EAWPP program are included in the post below. Continue reading “OMAFRA’s Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Program Extended until Friday, March 12.” →

COVID-19 Resource List for Growers.

If you’re anything like me, you might be having trouble keeping track of all of the resources related to managing Covid-19 on your farm.

To help, OMAFRA has created a landing page with a list of resources relevant to Ontario farmers.

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Worried About Access to Farm Labour? This Webinar Can Help.

Workers on a packing line in a greenhouse.

Access to migrant workers as a key source of Ontario’s agricultural labour is a current a source of worry for many growers, in light of the ongoing pandemic.

OFVGA and OMAFRA are joining forces to bring you 3 talks to update you on the situation and provide resources. So keep your calendars open on Feb 11th.

Pre-registration is required for this free webinar.

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Upcoming Webinars: Surviving Covid-19, Workplace Inspections and WSIB.

A farmworker, considered an essential worker under the current COVID-19 pandemic guidelines, wears a mask as he works at a flower farm Wednesday, April 15, 2020, in Santa Paula, Calif. (April 2020)

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Covid-19 is going anywhere in Spring 2021.

Given that it’s the upcoming busy season for floriculture operations and workers, here’s a look at some upcoming webinars related to Covid safety, worker compensation, and surviving as a business during Covid.

So keep your calendars open on Feb 2nd, 3rd, 10th and 17th! More information on these webinars and registration can be found below.

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Apply for Covid-19 Funding: Application Webinar on Feb 2nd.

Funding continues to be available until February 26th, 2021 on a first come, first serve basis. Funding up to $15,000 per farm is available for preventative health and safety measures. Up to $100,000 is available per property for on-farm worker safety improvement programs.

Links to expenses covered under the EAWPP program are included in the post below. Additionally, OMAFRA is running a webinar on Feb 2nd, 2021 to help growers navigate applying for the different program categories. Keep reading for details. Continue reading “Apply for Covid-19 Funding: Application Webinar on Feb 2nd.” →

Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program: Additional Funding

Enhaced Worker Protection Program On May 14, 2020 the ministry announced the launch of the Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program for Producers. The government has recently announced an additional $11.6 M in funding.

Many in the greenhouse made pro-active improvements to workplace safety in light of Covid-19, which is why the program accepts applications for changes made as far back as March 15, 2020.

The program has also been simplified to provide faster assistance by eliminating pre-approval. Growers can now submit eligible expenses up to the farm maximum ($7500).

The program includes accommodation and/or transport costs related to outbreak prevention, as well as workplace modifications and purchases of personal protective equipment. More program details can be found below and on the OMAFRA website. Continue reading “Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program: Additional Funding” →

New CAP intake: 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” →