Closed
Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative
Support for inclusive agri-food business growth
Last Update: May 6, 2026
Funding available
$ 25,000 - $ 100,000
Timeline
- Open Date : October 8, 2024
- Closing date : December 3, 2024
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
This initiative supports underrepresented groups in starting or growing agri-food businesses. Up to $100,000 is available per project for activities such as access to equipment, access to space, and support to obtain financing.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Increase production or service capacity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Minimum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 85% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : October 8, 2024
- Closing date : December 3, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Educational services
- Public administration
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Other Racialized Persons
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Providing access to space for agri-food production or processing
- Providing access to equipment or technology
- Helping underrepresented groups obtain financing
- Supporting agri-food business start-up or growth through KTT-related project activities
Documents Needed
- Completed ministry-approved application form
- Written third-party quotes detailing eligible project costs
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Industry organizations
- Research bodies
- Municipalities
- Indigenous communities
- Indigenous governments
Who is not eligible
- Projects that only involve research
- Projects benefiting a single business or individual
- Aquaponic, aquaculture, seaweed, fish, and seafood production or processing projects
Eligible expenses
- Third-party services, including web development, legal support, translation, creative work, and advertising placements
- Equipment and technology purchases, including shipping and installation
- Land, facility, and equipment rental for the project term
- Minor structural upgrades directly required for the project
- Project-related salaries, training facility rental, and travel, meal, and hotel costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs to apply to the initiative
- Costs incurred before approval or after project completion
- Non-arm’s-length purchases and ordinary business operating costs
- Land, building, vehicle, and machinery purchases
- Alcohol, hospitality, gifts, memberships, permits, lobbying, and in-kind costs
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed only after the intake period closes.
- Incomplete applications are not assessed.
- Completed applications are evaluated against eligibility and merit criteria.
- Successful applicants receive an approval letter by email.
- Approved recipients must sign the approval letter and register for payment systems before receiving funds.
Additional information
- Application intake closed on December 3, 2024.
- Only one application could be submitted during the intake period.
- The program is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
- Guidelines take precedence over the application page in case of conflict.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative?
This initiative supports underrepresented groups in starting or growing agri-food businesses. Up to $100,000 is available per project for activities such as access to equipment, access to space, and support to obtain financing.
How much funding can be received?
Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative Funds up to 85% of admissible expenses, capped at $100,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was December 3, 2024.
Who is eligible for the Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative program?
To be eligible for the Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative program, you must:
Industry organization, research body, municipality, or Indigenous entity
Project supports underrepresented groups
Project includes a KTT component
What expenses are eligible under Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative?
Providing access to space for agri-food production or processing
Providing access to equipment or technology
Helping underrepresented groups obtain financing
Supporting agri-food business start-up or growth through KTT-related project activities
Who can I contact for more information about the Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative?
You can contact Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFRA) by email at SustainableCAP1@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-877-424-1300.
Where is the Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative available?
The Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative program is available the province of Ontario.