Canadian Agricultural Partnership Ontario Grants for Food Producers

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) is a federal-provincial-territorial suite of government funding programs for agricultural producers and processors. It is comprised of several grants and repayable funding programs specific to companies in the agriculture and agri-food industry. The dynamic framework of agri-food funding programs offers five years of support; most programs available through CAP will be in place until 2023.

One stream of CAP, the Canadian Agricultural Partnership: Ontario Producers program, offers Ontario government funding to businesses that grow or otherwise produce agricultural products. Food and agricultural commodity producers may use the funding to offset a portion of eligible costs for a wide range of projects, including equipment upgrades, safety and traceability improvements, business planning, and product/process research and development.

Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Ontario agricultural producers may receive up to 30% to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $2,500-$75,000 in grant funding per project.

To receive CAP Ontario government funding, businesses must be deemed an eligible agricultural producer and apply by one of the program’s upcoming deadlines. Applications are typically approved within 60 business days; upon approval, applicants may begin to incur funding-eligible expenses.

Canadian Agricultural Partnership: Ontario Producers Funding

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership: Ontario Producers stream offers agriculture funding opportunities to support businesses that grow, raise, or otherwise produce agricultural products. As administered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), the CAP Ontario program offers cost-sharing assistance to help food producers reduce the costs and risks of agriculture projects. Agri-producers may offset the costs of projects that directly boost competitiveness and provide new growth opportunities.

Eligible applicants may access up to $2,500 to $75,000 in grant funding, covering 30% to 50% of project expenses. Exact amounts depend on the agriculture project’s focus.

This stream of CAP funding closely resembles support previously provided through the Growing Forward 2 Ontario Producers stream. Since its relaunch in April 2018, the program has been enhanced to provide increased support for farmers and other agricultural producers.

Business Eligibility: CAP Ontario Producer Grants

While each project type maintains its own unique applicant eligibility criteria, most streams of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership: Ontario Producers program requires applicants to:

• File business and/or farm income/loss taxes in Ontario;
• Have a valid Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN), unless exempted; and
• Have a valid and up-to-date Premises Identification Number (PIN).

Agriculture Projects Eligible for Canadian Agricultural Partnership: Ontario Producers

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership: Ontario Producers program provides funding based on the type of project proposed by applicants. The total amount of funding a farm business may receive depends on the types of projects completed, and the overall number of projects completed within the program’s five-year mandate.

CAP Ontario supports the application/completion of up to two projects at the same time. Submitting multiple applications can help optimize funding potential.

The following project types can be directly supported through CAP Ontario funding for agriculture producers. Consider how your agriculture business can use these incentives through 2023:

• Business Planning and Improvements
• Equipment Improvements
• Safety and Traceability Improvements
• Farm Improvements

Please Note: Not all funding streams may be open and accepting applications; it’s important to confirm there is an active intake for your project’s focus prior to applying.

Business Planning and Improvements

• Business Plans: Up to 35% of eligible expenses to a maximum $10,000.
• Develop New Products or Processes: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $15,000.
• Financial Analysis: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $2,500.
• Labour Productivity Plans: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $15,000.
• Market Products in Canada: Up to 35% of eligible expenses to a maximum $45,000.
• Market Products Internationally: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $50,000.
• Marketing Plans: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $15,000.
• Nutrient Management and Soil Health Planning: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $10,000.

Equipment Improvements

• Equipment Modifications to Improve Manure Application: Up to 40% of eligible expenses to a maximum $30,000.
• Equipment Modifications to Reduce Soil Compaction: Up to 40% of eligible expenses to a maximum $15,000.
• Equipment to Improve Animal Handling: Up to 35% of eligible expenses to a maximum $25,000.
• Installation of Continuous Rinse Systems: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $2,500.
• Technology and Equipment to Improve Labour Productivity: Up to 25% of eligible expenses to a maximum $100,000.
• Tillage and Nutrient Application Equipment Modifications: Up to 40% of eligible expenses to a maximum $30,000.

Safety and Traceability Improvements

• Education, Training, Assessment, and Planning: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $5,000.
• Establishing Cleaning and Disinfecting Practices: Up to 35% of eligible expenses to a maximum $25,000.
• Establishing Facilities to Manage Deadstock: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $25,000.
• Establishing Isolation or Segregation Facilities: Up to 35% of eligible expenses to a maximum $25,000.
• Food Safety and Traceability Pre-Audit, Gap Assessment, and Planning: Up to 45% of eligible expenses to a maximum $4,000.
• Food Safety and Traceability System Improvements: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $75,000.
• Food Safety and Traceability Training and Education: Up to 45% of eligible expenses to a maximum $4,000.
• Food Safety Equipment: Up to 35% of eligible expenses to a maximum $10,000.
• Health Management: Up to 35% of eligible expenses to a maximum $25,000.
• Traceability Equipment: Up to 35% of eligible expenses to a maximum $10,000.
• Traceability System Improvements: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $75,000.

Farm Improvements

• Adding Organic Amendments to Soil: Up to 40% of eligible expenses to a maximum $15,000.
• Cover Crops: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $10,000.
• Defining Zones and Controlled Access Points: Up to 35% of eligible expenses to a maximum $25,000.
• Elimination of Potentially Contaminated Plant or Soil Materials: Up to 35% of eligible expenses to a maximum $25,000.
• Erosion Control Structures: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $20,000.
• Fragile Land Retirement: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $10,000.
• Manure Storage Improvements: Up to 30% of eligible expenses to a maximum $35,000.
• New Construction, Modification, or Technologies to Improve Animal Housing: Up to 35% of eligible expenses to a maximum $25,000.
• Nutrient Recovery from Wastewater/Washwater: Up to 30% of eligible expenses to a maximum $30,000.
• Plant Pest Monitoring Tools and Treatment Equipment: Up to 35% of eligible expenses to a maximum $25,000.
• Preventing Access by Trespassers, Wildlife, Pests, and Rodents: Up to 35% of eligible expenses to a maximum $25,000.
• Preventing Access by Wildlife, Pests, and Rodents: Up to 25% of eligible expenses to a maximum $50,000.
• Preventing Introduction and Spread of Pests Through Isolation, Sanitization, and Controlling Workflow: Up to 35% of eligible expenses to a maximum $50,000.
• Riparian Buffer Strips: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $10,000.
• Runoff Control for Livestock Facilities: Up to 30% of eligible expenses to a maximum $20,000.
• Water Wells: Up to 30% of eligible expenses to a maximum $6,000.
• Windbreaks and Wind Strips: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $10,000.

Please Note: Availability and focus of each funding stream is subject to change without notice. Please confirm that there is an active intake for your project type prior to applying.

How to Apply for the Canadian Agricultural Partnership: Ontario Producers Program

To get started with the CAP Ontario Producers program, farm businesses must develop a comprehensive application and submit it during one of the program’s periodic calls for proposals.

The program’s current call for proposals has a deadline of May 6, 2019.

Given the competitive nature of this Ontario government funding program, only applicants demonstrating high-potential projects will be considered for agriculture grants. Consider your options in navigating the government funding process to ensure you’re submitting an application that advocates your project’s potential.

To explore your business’ eligibility for CAP Ontario Producers funding and learn how to optimize the application process, please contact Mentor Works.

Posted: June 8, 2018. Updated: April 3, 2019.