Farmers and other businesses in the sector appreciate that sound business management practices and skills and continuous learning help them understand their businesses' financial situation, assess opportunities, implement necessary improvements to be profitable, respond to change and meet business goals.
There is a program to assist... Growing Forward.
The new federal-provincial-territorial initiative was endorsed in July 2008 to replace the former Agriculture Policy Framework. The suite of Business Risk Management (BRM) programs were the first programs officially available under Growing Forward in 2007. Effective April 1, 2009, new non-BRM programs are available in all provinces and territories under the new Growing Forward policy framework.
The focus of this article is on Growing Forward's Business Development Initiative, products, services and cost share categories.
Under the new agreement, each province and territory determines the type of management and skills development training it will offer and how they will be delivered.
In Alberta, for example, the initiative is referred to as The Business Opportunity Grant program. It is designed to provide assistance to Alberta primary agriculture producers and organizations in accessing one-to-one expertise that will contribute to helping their business adapt to meet changing market and consumer demands. It is aimed at businesses looking to transform their operation and seeking the services of outside expertise to assess feasibility or opportunity, research markets and build business plans that contribute to the success of a new business venture or new business direction.
In Nova Scotia, it is referred to as the Business Development and Market Enhancement program - offering funding to farmers and agri-businesses in order to identify and prioritize business goals, improve planning, attend business workshops, conduct market and product development research and analysis, engage in skill development and training opportunities and much more.
In Ontario, the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) is the delivery partner of the Growing Forward Business Development for Farm Businesses program referred to as Growing Your Farm Profits - Planning for Business Success.
Prior to accessing cost-share funds, you must:
- Attend a Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) Workshop. For details on upcoming workshops in your area visit: http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/en/Programs/GYFP091.htm
- Meet with the Workshop Leader to review and sign-off on your Action Plans.
Cost Share Opportunities:
Farm Financial Assessment
Access to a professional Farm Financial Advisor who will review the farm business' past financial performance, analyze the current business situation, discuss objectives, and help to identify options to meet farm business profitability goals. The program covers up to $2,400 of eligible costs to hire an advisor to complete an assessment. The participant pays $100.
Note 1: Farm Financial Assessments do not include personal income tax preparation.
Note 2: If you are in financial difficulty and would like to access immediate assistance prior to attending the Growing Your Farm Profits workshop, please call OMAFRA at (519) 826-3220 to discuss your options.
Advanced Business Planning
Farm businesses that identify the need in their Action Plan will be able to access cost-share funding to access the services of qualified consultants or professionals to develop the following types of business plans:
- Business Plan (Start-up or Expansion)
- Sucession Plan
- Commodity Marketing Plan
- Direct Marketing Plan
- Human Resource Management Plan
- Risk Management Plan
- Diversification Plan
- Contingency Plan
Eligible farm businesses may receive cost-share funding for up to 50% to a maximum of $8,000.
Business Plan Implementation
To help implement elements of an Advanced Business Plan, a farm business may receive cost-share funding assistance for one-time non-capital costs.
Eligible farm businesses may receive cost-share funding for up to 50% to a maximum of $3,000. The Advanced Business Plan must indicate specific action items for purposes of implementing the plan.
Agriculture Skills Development
Farm businesses that identify the need in their Action Plan will be able to access cost-share funding to take farm-related training and skills development intended to support greater farm business viability.
Eligible farm businesses may receive cost-share funding for up to 50% to a maximum of $3,000. The farm business may elect to designate a family member, employee or company representative to undertake skills training
A list of farm-related skills and training opportunities is available, as well as a mechanism for other training to be considered. The ASD Eligible List can be found on the OMAFRA website at http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/busdev/gfwdasdeligiblelist.htm.
For more information on these and other cost sharing opportunities and services available through Growing Your Farm Profits contact your Collins Barrow advisor and visit:
Ontario:
http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/en/Programs/GYFP09.htm
British Columbia:
http://www.gov.bc.ca/
Alberta:
http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/app21/rtw/index.jsp
Saskatchewan:
http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/
Manitoba:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/index.shtml
Quebec:
http://www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/fr/accueil
New Brunswick:
http://www.gnb.ca/0027/index-e.asp
Prince Edward Island:
http://www.gov.pe.ca/af/index.php3
Nova Scotia:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/
Newfoundland and Labrador:
http://www.nr.gov.nl.ca/agric/
Note: Once you are at the provincial page, if the Ag Policy Framework link is not readily shown, simply use the search engine on the site and type in "Agriculture Policy Framework". It will take you to the provinces information.