Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

USDA programs targets small farms and beginning farmers

Here is a great concept - whether it works is another story. When will someone in Ontario have the guts to develop a program like this?

Wayne Black

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm

USDA plans to award approximately $18 million in value-added grants nationwide to farmers and business owners to help them add value to the commodities they produce.

USDA will award planning grants of up to $100,000 and working capital grants of up to $300,000 to successful applicants. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that use existing agricultural products in non-traditional ways or merge agricultural products with technology in creative ways. Businesses of all sizes may apply, but priority will be given to operators of small to medium-sized farms operating as a family farm — those with average annual gross sales of less than $700,000 — USDA said.

Applicants must provide matching funds equal to the amount of the grant requested. Ten percent of the funding being made available is reserved for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. An additional 10 percent is reserved for projects involving local and regional supply networks that link independent producers with businesses, and cooperatives that market value-added products.

Views: 109

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Andrew Campbell on September 9, 2009 at 6:15am
It is about time Wayne. I would think it should work - as long as there is a solid business plan attached to it. I mean - a grant of up to 400K total would make a big difference to a small or medium sized operation. Now they just need something like this for young farmers who want in the business on some of the traditional commodities as well.
Permalink Reply by Wayne Black on September 9, 2009 at 7:30am
It would make a huge difference for farmers - you are correct. The benefit I see is the support for the "outside the box" thinking that the next generation wants to build and develop while still carrying on with traditional farming. An example I thought of when reading this was using new technology to further process traditional commodities to bring new products such as a bio-fuel process that can be used on farm.
New ideas and creative ideas often come from the younger generation - the generation with little capital.

Wayne

Andrew Campbell said:
It is about time Wayne. I would think it should work - as long as there is a solid business plan attached to it. I mean - a grant of up to 400K total would make a big difference to a small or medium sized operation. Now they just need something like this for young farmers who want in the business on some of the traditional commodities as well.

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Minister MacDonald’s record in the House

He spoke 54 times in the House and cast 173 votes

U.S. Winter Wheat Harvest Jumps; Spring Wheat Condition Eases

The U.S. winter wheat harvest advanced rapidly over the past week, while the condition of both the winter and spring wheat crops slipped slightly, according to Monday’s USDA crop progress report. The winter wheat harvest reached 40% complete as of Sunday, up sharply from 25% the previous week. Progress was well ahead of 18% a year earlier and the five-year average of 24%. In Kansas, the largest winter wheat-producing state, the harvest more than doubled to 58% complete from 28% a week earlier. That was also well ahead of 18% last year and the 26% average. Oklahoma was 95% harvested, compared with 73% the previous week and 61% on average. Texas advanced more modestly to 77% from 75%, while Illinois jumped to 41% from 20%. No winter wheat harvest progress was reported in either Michigan or Ohio as of Monday. Michigan was 1% harvested at the same point last year, compared with 0% on average, while Ohio was 2% complete last year versus a five-year average of 3%. National winter

Manitoba Seeding Advances Just Slightly

Manitoba seeding inched forward this past week, moving slightly closer to completion. Tuesday’s weekly crop report showed overall seeding in the province at 97% complete, up only a single point from a week earlier and behind last year and the five-year average at 100%. Precipitation was highly variable across agricultural Manitoba during the seven days ended June 21, with some areas receiving substantial rainfall while nearby locations remained almost completely dry, the report said. Somerset recorded the province’s highest weekly accumulation at 34.3 mm, while the driest locations in the Central Region, Brunkild and Bagot, received only 1 mm. In the Eastern Region, Sprague reported 26.6 mm, compared with no measurable rain at Stead. Rainfall was generally lighter in the Interlake, where Gimli received 11.8 mm and Fisher Branch just 0.3 mm. The Northwest remained the wettest part of the province overall, with Swan River recording 22.1 mm and Ste. Rose receiving 0.6 mm. In the

Agribition reports excellent 2025 show, but questions linger about capacity for 2026 event

Based on a number of statistics, the most recent Canadian Western Agribition was the best on in recent memory. During Agribition's Annual General Meeting, CEO Shaun Kindopp shared a number of highlights from the 2025 edition of the show. Among them was the international representation, as over 700 guests from 76 countries visited Agribition, including 56 Mexican cattle producers. The international delegations contributed to $280-thousand 600 in purchases of Canadian genetics. Kindopp says travelling abroad has been a focus in recent years to build those relationships. Overall attendance was 151,037 and Kindopp notes increases in attendance for other events happening at the show, including Maple Leaf Circuit Finals Rodeo which saw a total of 24,000 come through the doors. "Our Indigenous Agriculture Summit attendance was up, our rodeo attendance was up, our attendance through the gate was up, so everything measurable that had an attendance tied to it was up this year." he said, add

Interim Participation Agreement signed between CCA, ABP

Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) are staying on as a member of the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) for now. It was announced Wednesday an Interim Participation Agreement was reached. Under the agreement, ABP will provide gap funding for the national organization from July 1st to August 31st as well as stay involved in meetings and discussions, but as a non-member under the current governance structure. President of CCA Tyler Fulton says the agreement shows talks with ABP are moving in the right direction, but there are things that still need to be addressed prior the CCA's Semi-Annual meeting in August. Fulton noted eight or nine resolutions were passed at their AGM in March to start this process. The resolutions address the structure of governance, acknowledge the need for a finance chair and committee to address the funding related issues, and better communication at all levels. He says details on the new governance structure are being worked on with assistance from provincial cat

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service