How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $50000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2026-12-31T00:00:00Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the Ontario — Growing Future Opportunities Initiative?

Ontario — Growing Future Opportunities Initiative is funded by Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP), Agricorp

What are Ontario — Growing Future Opportunities Initiative's eligibility criterias?

Applicants must be Primary Producers in Ontario specializing in apples, tender fruit, or wine grapes. Applicants can apply to each Commodity Category once under the Initiative and must not have already received funding for the same project through Sustainable CAP.

Ontario — Growing Future Opportunities Initiative

Last Update: January 25, 2025

ON, Canada

Cost-share support for competitive grape and fruit replanting

Ontario — Growing Future Opportunities Initiative at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $50,000
Up to 75% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : November 20, 2023
Closing date : December 31, 2026

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Grant Providers

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
Agricorp

Status

Open

Overview of the Ontario — Growing Future Opportunities Initiative program

The Growing Future Opportunities Initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership provides cost-share support to grape and tree fruit producers for replanting vines or orchards to enhance competitiveness and achieve agronomic benefits, with recipients eligible for up to 75% of eligible costs, capped at $50,000. Eligible activities must relate to replanting projects within the Commodity Categories of apples, tender fruit and table grapes, or wine grapes, per the specified guidelines.

Financing terms and conditions

The Ontario Growing Future Opportunities Initiative provides a structured financing framework designed to empower Grape and Tree Fruit producers by facilitating their project funding. The modalities are crafted to maximize project efficiency and fund utilization.

The Initiative offers cost-share support with a recipient reimbursement of up to 75% of eligible costs.
There is a maximum funding cap of $50,000 per recipient across all commodity categories.
Total funding of up to $8 million has been allocated for the Initiative, sourced from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Payments are made post-completion of approved activities, as aligned with approved claims and reporting.
Funding may be pro-rated if the total claims exceed the allocated Initiative budget.
Eligible project timelines extend until December 31, 2026 for Apples and Tender Fruit, and until September 30, 2027 for Wine Grapes.

Eligible projects & activities

The Growing Future Opportunities Initiative in Ontario targets grape and tree fruit producers with the objective of enhancing competitiveness and agronomic benefits. Recipients can engage in activities that focus on replanting efforts within specified commodity categories.

Replanting of apple orchards to increase competitiveness and market demand.
Replanting of tender fruit and table grape vines to provide improved agronomic benefits.
Replanting of wine grape vineyards to produce grapes with high demand in the market.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 21,000

Introducing new table grape varieties Flame Seedless and Thompson Seedless to improve yield

$ 33,750

Upgrading wine grape varieties to Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon for premium wine production

$ 30,000

Replacing old apple trees with Honeycrisp and Gala varieties to increase yield and quality

$ 22,500

Replanting old plum trees with superior Black Amber and Methley varieties to boost production

$ 26,250

Enhancing cherry production by replacing older varieties with Bing and Rainier cherries

$ 18,750

Planting new peach varieties to enhance fruit quality and marketability in a 5-acre orchard

Eligibility criteria of the Ontario — Growing Future Opportunities Initiative program

The eligibility criteria for the Ontario — Growing Future Opportunities Initiative address the requirements that applicants must meet to be considered for funding.

Applicants must be Grape and Tree Fruit producers in Ontario.
Applicants can apply to each Commodity Category once under the Initiative.
Applicants must not have previously received funding for the project through the Sustainable CAP.
Projects must have a completion date no later than December 31, 2026 for Apple and Tender Fruit projects, and September 30, 2027 for Wine Grapes.
Applicants must not owe a debt to Ontario or Canada without a repayment plan in place.

Who is eligible?

The Growing Future Opportunities Initiative is designed to support Ontario's grape and tree fruit producers, specifically those involved in the cultivation of apples, tender fruits, and wine grapes. Eligible applicants must be actively engaged in the production of these commodities and willing to undertake projects that involve replanting to enhance competitiveness and agronomic benefits.

Who is not eligible

The Growing Future Opportunities Initiative restricts eligibility based on specific conditions related to the status and prior funding of projects. These limitations are designed to prevent duplication of benefits and ensure efficient resource usage.

Applicants attempting to receive funding for a project already funded through Sustainable CAP.
Individuals or entities without a valid Premises ID Number.

Eligible expenses

This grant assists apple, tender fruit, table grape, and wine grape growers in Canada with projects aimed at enhancing their operations. The eligible projects focus on replanting specific varieties to improve crop quality and resilience.

Replacing existing apple, tender fruit, and table grape varieties with new varieties to boost production and marketability.
Replanting wine grape vines with approved varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Chardonnay to improve quality and pest resistance.

Eligible geographic areas

This initiative provides funding for primary producers in Ontario, aiming to support local grape and tree fruit growers through replanting incentives.

Companies based in Ontario, Canada.

How to apply to the Ontario — Growing Future Opportunities Initiative program

Access Application Portal

Visit the AgriCorp website to start the application process.

Complete Application Form

Fill out the Ministry-approved Application Form for the desired Commodity Category.
Ensure all project details comply with the criteria outlined in the relevant Schedule for your Commodity Category.

Submit Application

Submit the completed application through the AgriCorp website.
Adhere strictly to submission deadlines to ensure eligibility.

Await Application Review

AgriCorp will review the submitted applications based on the specified eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria.
Wait for notification from AgriCorp regarding the success of the application.

Claims and Reporting

If approved, incur and pay costs, plant nursery stock, and keep records of all payments.
Submit a maximum of one Claim and a final report per Commodity Category to AgriCorp, as specified in the Approval Letter.
Submit the Claim via email or fax to AgriCorp by the specified deadline.

Respond to Additional Information Requests

Provide any additional information requested by AgriCorp promptly.
Failure to provide requested information may result in the declaration of Ineligible Costs.

Maintain Records

Maintain all financial documents and records related to the Initiative for a period of seven years.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The Initiative offers a cost-share support of 75% for eligible costs with a cap of $50,000 across all commodity categories.
Funding is facilitated by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, with an allocated budget of $8 million.
Each project must be completed by specified deadlines: December 31, 2026, for Apple and Tender Fruit projects, and September 30, 2027, for Wine Grapes.
Applicants can only apply once per commodity category and must not have received other Sustainable CAP funding for the same project.
All claims must be submitted with detailed proof of purchase and payment within specified deadlines after cost-incurrence.
The Initiative requires compliance with various legal and operational terms, including environmental, tax-related, and labor laws.

Apply to this program

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