Newsletter INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
DECEMBER 2023
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Funding Program Reminders
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Funding Program Reminders
New Funding Program: AgriTech Innovation
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Replant Program
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1) The Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) provides funding for agri-food research and innovation projects in Ontario, which is a key pillar of the Grow Ontario Strategy. The OAFRI program strives to create an application process that adheres to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenization.
Save on Energy Program
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Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy Program
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Production Insurance
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IFTA Conference
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New Fresh Grape Varieties
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Ontario Environmental Farm Plan Survey
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Save the Dates: AGMs
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Holiday Office Hours
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
The goals of the initiative are to: • fund demand-driven research and innovation activities in the agri-food sector • support the sector’s resiliency and facilitate sustainable growth • improve knowledge or technology to address business challenges • expand market opportunities locally and globally More information: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-agri-food-research-initiative 2) As part of the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Initiative, the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP), provides funding to support Ontario farmers in making their agricultural lands more productive and resilient. The Program provides funding to support projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon. Projects will focus on: • Natural Grassland Establishment • Perennial Biomass & Warm Season Pastures • Reduced Tillage • Tree & Shrub Planting • Water Retention Features • Wetlands More information: https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/resilient-agricultural-landscape-program/ 3) The Grow Ontario Market Initiative provides funding to primary producers, processors and industry organizations to find and develop domestic or export market opportunities. You may use the funding to grow your business through: • marketing analysis and planning • new product development • marketing activities More information: https://www.ontario.ca/page/grow-ontario-market-initiativeguidelines
DECEMBER 2023 ISSUE
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NEW Funding Program: Replant Program The Growing Future Opportunities intake for the tender Agri-Tech Innovation fruit/table grape replant program opened on November The Governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $25 million, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), to expand production capacity and boost energy efficiency in the agriculture and food sector.
Through the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative, funding will be provided to eligible farm and food processing businesses to help them invest in innovative technology, equipment or processes that will expand production capacity or enhance efficiency.
20th and is being administered by Agricorp. Grower members should have received an application form and guidelines in the mail last month. If you did not receive, please contact sarah@ontariotenderfruit.ca More information can be found on the Agricorp website at: https://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/growingfuture-opportunities-initiative/Pages/Overview.aspx
Save on Energy Applications for the Initiative will be accepted starting on Program February 15, 2024.
Learn more about this opportunity here: https://news. ontario.ca/en/release/1003847/governments-drivinginnovation-in-food-production
Save on Energy Retrofit Program Measures and Incentives Please see link below for updates on incentives available through the Save on Energy Program https://www.saveonenergy.ca/en/For-Business-andIndustry/Programs-and-incentives/Retrofit-Program/ Retrofit-Program-Update
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DECEMBER 2023 ISSUE
Canada Summer Jobs IFTA Conference Wage Subsidy Program Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy Program is open until January 10th, 2024 for applications. Who can apply: Employers from not-for-profit organizations and the public sector, as well as private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees. More information can be found at: https://www.canada. ca/en/employment-social-development/services/ funding/canada-summer-jobs.html
Production Insurance Fruit growers need to contact Agricorp by January 1, 2024 to apply or to make changes to their existing coverage. Customers will receive their 2024 renewal packages in midDecember, as long as they’ve reported their 2023 yields. If you don’t receive a renewal package by mid-December contact Agricorp. Tender Fruit Overview: https://www.agricorp.com/enca/Programs/ProductionInsurance/PeachesNectarines/ Pages/HowItWorks.aspx Grapes Overview: https://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/ Programs/ProductionInsurance/Grapes/Pages/Overview. aspx Rates: • Peaches/Nectarines: https://www.agricorp. co m /e n - ca / P ro g ra m s / P ro d u c t i o n I n s u ra n c e / PeachesNectarines/Pages/Rates.aspx • Pears: https://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ ProductionInsurance/Pears/Pages/Rates.aspx • Plums: https://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ ProductionInsurance/Plums/Pages/Rates.aspx • Sour Cherries: https://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/ Programs/ProductionInsurance/SourCherries/Pages/ Rates.aspx • Sweet Cherries: https://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/ Programs/ProductionInsurance/SweetCherries/ Pages/Rates.aspx • Grapes: https://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/Programs/ ProductionInsurance/Grapes/Pages/Rates.aspx
Registration is now open for the 2024 IFTA Annual Conference taking place February 11-16 in Yakima, Washington! With the theme “Bridging the Gap Between Information and Action”, IFTA 2024 is offering not only its typical annual conference (Monday-Wednesday Feb 12-14), but also options for a one-day pre-conference workshop on “Precision Orchard Technologies” (Sunday Feb 11) and a one-day post-conference tour on “High Efficiency Cherry Production” (Thursday Feb 15)! The Annual Conference program is comprised of 7 educational sessions related to production of apples, cherries, pears, and peaches with renowned international speakers from research and industry to provide the latest in growing techniques and the science behind them, plus several panels of outstanding growers who will share their experiences and strategies. The sessions include: • Climate and Labor: Paths Forward • Climate Adaptation and Mitigation • Soil and Nutrient Management • Precision Crop Load Management: Best Practices and Outlook • Designing a Labor-Efficient Orchard • Growing a Labor-Efficient Orchard • Orchard Technologies Round-Up The Pre-Conference Workshop (February 11th) will engage precision orchard technology experts and more than 20 precision orchard technology vendors to explain and discuss their technologies in dynamic, interactive group Q&A sessions, with the potential for making individual contacts and consultation arrangements as desired. The four areas of technology addressed include: • Imaging and Crop Load Management • Automated Equipment, including Harvest • Precision Chemical Application/Smart Sprayers • Precision Irrigation Management Register now: https://ifruittree.org/event/ifta-2024annual-conference-yakima-wa/
DECEMBER 2023 ISSUE
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The Fresh Grape Growers are pleased to be partnering with BLOOM FRESH™ and Vineland Research and Innovation Centre to bring exciting new table grape varieties to Ontario. Magenta™ and Ivory™ have been in the experimental blocks at Vineland since 2019 and show promise, and Timpson™ has seen its first commercial sized plantings in 2023. Additional information on the varieties is below courtesy of BLOOM FRESH™. Please contact Sarah at the board office if you are interested in planting any of these varieties.
MAGENTA™ Mid-season red seedless variety with an exotic cherry flavor and a striking “magenta pink” color. Large berries (20 - 25 mm) 18-20° optimum brix High fertility (Ratio 1.2 - 1.4)
IVORY™ Early season white variety with excellent sweet flavor and crunchy, uniform berries. Large berries (19 - 24 mm) 18° optimum brix High fertility (Ratio 1.2 - 1.3)
TIMPSON™ Early mid-season white variety with high productivity and deliciously intense muscat flavor. Large berries (19 - 24 mm) 18-20° optimum brix Very high fertility (Ratio 1.2 - 1.4)
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DECEMBER 2023 ISSUE
Ontario Environmental Save the Dates: AGMs Fresh Grape AGM - February 29th @ 11:00 a.m. at the Farm Plan Survey Marketing Board The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) is seeking your input on the modernization of the Ontario Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). The survey is anonymous and should take no longer than 12 minutes to complete. You can access the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V69QV99. Please complete the survey by January 6, 2024 to share your feedback.
Tender Fruit AGMs March 26th - District 3 and 4 at Colasanti’s March 27th - District 5 on Zoom March 28th – District 1 and 2 in Niagara
Holiday Office Hours Please be advised our office will be closed at 12:00 p.m. Friday, December 22nd and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 2nd. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!