Ontario — Growing Future Opportunities Initiative
ON, Canada
The Growing Future Opportunities Initiative provides up to $8 million over 3 years to help Ontario apple, tender fruit, table grape, and wine grape growers improve quality, production, and marketability.
grant_single_labels|summary
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- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
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- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Agricorp
- Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
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grant_card_status|open
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The Growing Future Opportunities Initiative offers funding of up to $8 million over 3 years to support apple, tender fruit, table grape, and wine grape growers in Canada. The grant aims to help growers plant new varieties to improve quality, production, and marketability, with 75% of eligible costs covered up to $50,000 for replacing existing varieties. Eligible activities include replanting approved varieties in the same location or block where the previous trees or vines were removed.
grant_single_labels|projects
The grant is administered by Agricorp, an agency of the Ontario government, indicating the initiative is likely focused within Ontario. However, specific eligible geographical areas for this grant are not explicitly listed in the documentation provided.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$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
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To qualify for the Growing Future Opportunities Initiative, growers must meet the following criteria:
- The trees or vines to be replaced must have been in commercial production within the last three years.
- Growers need to replant in the same location, block, or row where the trees or vines were removed from.
- Eligible costs will only be covered if they are incurred starting October 30, 2023, for apples, tender fruits, and table grapes, or starting April 4, 2024, for wine grapes.
- The maximum funding amount that can be received by eligible applicants for all commodity categories is $50,000.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
This grant is aimed at apple, tender fruit, table grape, and wine grape growers who are looking to plant new varieties that enhance quality, production, and marketability.
grant_eligibility_criteria|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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible expenses for the grant include costs that are directly associated with replacing and replanting specific varieties for improved production and marketability.
- Costs for purchasing approved varieties of trees and vines for replanting.
- Expenses related to removing existing trees and vines that have been in commercial production within the last 3 years.
- Costs for replanting in the same location from where trees and vines were removed.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Download Application Form
- Access the application form via the provided link on the program's webpage.
- Save the downloaded form to your computer.
- Step 2: Complete Application Form
- Fill out all required sections of the application form accurately.
- Review the initiative guidelines and applicable schedules relevant to your commodity before filling out the form.
- Step 3: Submit Application Form
- Ensure the intake period is open before submitting (either at 10:00am on November 20, 2023, or on April 15, 2024).
- Email the completed form to GFOI@agricorp.com or fax it to 519-826-4118.
- Avoid submitting applications prior to the respective intake opening time, as early submissions will need to be resubmitted.
- Step 4: Await Confirmation
- Agricorp will contact all applicants to confirm eligibility after the intake period has closed.
- Applications will be reviewed and processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The Growing Future Opportunities Initiative is designed to support apple, tender fruit, table grape, and wine grape growers in improving their produce quality, production, and marketability through the adoption of new varieties.
- Funding status as of May 28, 2024: Wine grapes (82% open), Apples (99% open), Tender fruits and table grapes (78% open).
- Waitlist available for commodities once funding is fully allocated.
- Funding of up to $8 million over 3 years for the initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
- Eligible costs incurred starting from specific dates: October 30, 2023 (apples, tender fruits, table grapes) and April 4, 2024 (wine grapes).
- Several approved wine grape varieties eligible for replanting funding, including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay.
- Applications reviewed on a first come first serve basis and must be submitted starting from specific intake dates: November 20, 2023, and April 15, 2024.
grant_single_labels|contact
GFOI@agricorp.com
Apply to this program
Growing Future Opportunities Initiative: Unlocking Agricultural Potential
The Growing Future Opportunities Initiative offers substantial financial support to Canadian growers looking to enhance their production capabilities and meet evolving market demands. With up to $8 million in funding available, this initiative aims to drive improvements in crop quality, yield, and resistance to various agricultural challenges.
Detailed Overview of the Growing Future Opportunities Initiative
The Growing Future Opportunities Initiative is a strategic funding program by the Canadian and Ontario governments, structured under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. This initiative pledges up to $8 million over three years to support apple, tender fruit, table grape, and wine grape growers. The primary objective is to facilitate agricultural advancements that cater to shifting consumer preferences and bolster overall sector sustainability.
Key components of this initiative include enhancing the quality of produce, boosting yields, and improving resistance to environmental stressors and pests. By providing funding to replant with varieties capable of meeting these criteria, the initiative directly addresses the challenges growers face in maintaining competitiveness in a global market.
The grant covers 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum of $50,000 for different commodity categories, including apples and various other fruits along with wine grape replanting. Eligible costs start being covered from specific dates depending on the type of grape or fruit being replanted. This funding focus provides an economically viable path for growers to transition towards more productive and resilient agricultural practices.
Emphasizing cold hardiness and pest resistance, the initiative underscores the importance of adopting new crop varieties to mitigate the risks associated with climate variability and pest pressures. Additionally, by improving labor efficiency, the initiative supports growers in optimizing their operations amidst changing economic and environmental conditions.
As the process prioritizes a first-come, first-served review system for applications, it is crucial for applicants to prepare their documentation in advance and submit as soon as the intake period opens. This preparedness ensures that growers can maximize their chances of receiving funds to innovate and adapt their agricultural practices effectively.
For those unable to secure immediate funding, the initiative provides a waitlist mechanism, ensuring that all applicants have the opportunity to be considered as funds become available. This aspect of the program highlights its commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity for Canadian growers.
Through this extensive grant program, the Growing Future Opportunities Initiative aims not only to support current growers but also to pave the way for future developments in the Canadian agricultural sector. By investing in newer, more efficient crop varieties, the program seeks to ensure long-term sustainability and competitiveness in the agricultural market.
The ongoing support and collaboration between the Canadian and Ontario governments underscore the strategic importance of agriculture to the region's economy and cultural heritage. Thus, the initiative not only provides immediate financial assistance but also contributes to the broader goal of nurturing a vibrant and sustainable agricultural ecosystem in Canada.
