NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2024
AGRI-TECH INNOVATION INITIATIVE PROGRAM GUIDELINES AVAILABLE Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative Program Guidelines are now available for download off the AAC website: https://adaptcouncil. org/uploads/program_uploads/GdW0-atiiguidelines-january-30-2024.pdf.
The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII) helps Ontario agri-food businesses expand production capacity and boost energy efficiency. Funding is available for machinery, technology and equipment that is innovative or advances productivity or reduces greenhouse gas emissions through energy cost savings. The ATII program has three project streams: Stream 1 – Agri-Tech Innovation (total Eligible Costs per Project less than $100,000), up to 50 per cent (50%) of the total Eligible Costs to a maximum $49,999 in cost-share funding for commercially available equipment and technology to support growth and productivity. Stream 2 – Agri-Tech Innovation (total Eligible Costs per Project $100,000 and greater), up to 35 per cent (35%) of total Eligible Costs to a maximum of $100,000 in cost-share funding for commercially available equipment and technology to support growth and productivity. Stream 3 – Agri-Tech Energy Costs Savings, up to 35 per cent (35%) of total Eligible Costs to a maximum of $100,000 in cost-share funding for energy (greenhouse gas) cost saving
equipment and technology. This stream is for processors only. • •
Program Intake Opens February 15th Program Intake Deadline March 28th
Click on the date to register for one of our virtual information webinars at:
• •
12:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 22 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6
UPCOMING ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN WORKSHOPS
The Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) is a voluntary assessment that will help improve the sustainability of your farm business. Through the EFP process you will highlight your farm’s environmental strengths, identify areas of concern, and set realistic action plans with timelines to improve environmental conditions. If you have not previously participated in an EFP workshop, or if it has been a long time, you should attend a two-day, in-person workshop, which offers the opportunity to learn from knowledgeable OSCIA staff to help assess your soils, walk you through the process of completing an EFP, and learn about cost-share funding opportunities. Workshops also offer networking opportunities with fellow farmers. Don’t miss the opportunity to reduce environmental impacts on your farm. Register today for an upcoming in-person EFP workshop. There are many upcoming opportunities available across the province for you to participate (see chart on next page).
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA @ONTTENDERFRUIT OR VISIT ONTARIOTENDERFRUIT.CA
IN THIS ISSUE Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative Program Guidelines Available
1
Upcoming Environmental Farm Plan Workshops
1-2
Update On Underused Housing Tax
2
Licensing for Temporary Help Agencies and Recruiters
2
The On-Farm Climate Action Fund
4
OFVC Tender Fruit & LAbour Sessions
4
CropTracker News Release
6
Notice of Tender Fruit Annual General Meetings
8
Niagara Peninsula Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association AGM
9
FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE
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Workshops are open to new and established producers. Farm families and management teams are encouraged to attend together. Attendance at both Day 1 and Day 2 is required. There is no cost to attend but registration is required.
UPDATE ON UNDERUSED HOUSING TAX
As we enter tax season, the following is a reminder and update on the developments regarding the Underused Housing Tax (UHT). The Government of Canada’s 2023 Fall Economic Statement in November meant two things: •
•
For the 2022 tax year, nothing has changed, which means the UHT reporting rules are still in effect for that tax year. Farmers who haven’t done so yet are encouraged to consult with their tax professional to make sure they have met their UHT reporting obligations to the CRA for the 2022 tax year by the extended deadline of April 30, 2024. For the 2023 tax year and beyond, as long as your farm is Canadian-owned (including Canadian Corporations, Partnerships, Trusts, and Sole Proprietors), it is our expectation that the farm will be excluded from having to file the UHT documentation. This will include Canadian-owned farms operating with TFWs using on-site housing.
Note that the announced relief from the requirement for tax year 2023 and beyond is still subject to the government enacting the legislative and regulatory changes to turn that announcement into law. OFVGA is monitoring the progress and have partnered with other agriculture industry groups including FVGC to urge the government to make this exemption a reality.
LICENSING FOR TEMPORARY HELP AGENCIES AND RECRUITERS
For more information and to register, visit: https://www. ontariosoilcrop.org/canada-ontario-environmentalfarm-plan/ Or email: s-cap@ontariosoilcrop.org
Beginning on July 1, 2024 under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA): • Temporary help agencies are required to hold a licence to operate. Clients are prohibited from knowingly engaging or using the services of a temporary help agency unless the agency holds a licence. (Learn more about the relationship between temporary help agencies and clients.) • Recruiters are required to hold a licence to act as a recruiter. Employers, prospective employers and other recruiters are prohibited from knowingly engaging or using the services of any recruiter that does not hold a licence. h t t p s :// w w w.o n t a r i o.c a / p a g e/ licensing-temporary-help-agencies-and-recruiters
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FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE
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FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE
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THE ON-FARM CLIMATE ACTION FUND
The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is delivered by the Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association. NEW INTAKE open February 13, 9am ET to February 27th, 5pm ET! Cost-share funding is available at 65% of approved project costs for practices implemented between January 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025. There is no limit to the number of applications a farm business can submit, but the maximum amount of funding a farm business can access is $75,000 across all approved projects. In addition, each project category has a maximum costshare amount per project: 1. Nitrogen management • 65% of eligible project costs, up to a maximum costshare payment of $30,000 2. Cover cropping • 65% of eligible project costs, up to a maximum costshare payment of $20,000 3. Rotational grazing systems • 65% of eligible project costs, up to a maximum costshare payment of $20,000 Farmers interested in applying for cost-share should: • Read the Program Guide for eligible projects and to understand what supporting documents may be needed, such as site maps • Reach out to OSCIA with questions at OFCAF@ ontariosoilcrop.org
• •
Enrol their farm business at https://osciaportal.org/ Apply during the intake February 13, 9am ET to February 27th, 5pm ET, 2024
Approved applicants must participate in a ‘Knowledge Sharing Event’ specific to their approved project category, as part of the project completion process. • Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) attendance is required within the eligible Project Start and Completion dates for an approved OFCAF application, before submitting a claim. • KSEs allow farmers to learn about BMPs, connect with peers and experts to ask questions, share details about their own project BMP implementation, and discuss impacts on carbon sequestration and GHG emissions. • KSEs support access to knowledge, resources and
•
peer-to-peer learning which promotes successful project implementation and long-term BMP adoption. Successful applicants will receive guidance on approved KSEs that relate to their project, as part of their project approval.
Information on the funding and upcoming intakes can be found at https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/cost-shareprograms/. If you have questions, please contact us at OFCAF@ontariosoilcrop.org.
OFVC TENDER FRUIT & LABOUR SESSIONS
Tender Fruit: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 • 9:30 How to Manage Resistant and Difficult to Control Weeds in Tender Fruit • 10:00 Quest’s Seasonal Agricultural Worker Health Program • 10:30 Irrigation and Fertilization in Peaches • 11:00 Planting Peach Orchards for the Future: High Density (Grower Panel) • 2:00 Optimizing Thinning in Peaches • 2:30 Use of 1-ACC to Thin Peaches and Plums for Improved Labour Efficiencies • 3:00 New Tender Fruit and Fresh Grape Variety Development • 3:30 Packing Lines for Tender Fruit Round Table Labour: Thursday, February 22, 2024 • 9:30-10:30 Navigating TFWP/SAWP Paperwork: LMIAs and Work Permits (PANEL) • 10:30 WSIB 101: Forms, Recovery and Return to Work • 11:00 Labour Market Information Session • 11:30 Update on SAWP/TFWP and LICC • 2:00 Building New Housing for TFW Workforce – (Grower Panel) • 2:30 Handling Expansions of a Farm’s TFW Workforce • 3:00 Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) for SAWP/TFWP • 3:30 Perspectives and Lessons Learned from Service Canada Interactions with Growers in TFWP/SAWP (PANEL) For more information and to register, visit www.ofvc.ca
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FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE
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FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE
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CROPTRACKER NEWS RELEASE
Croptracker, an industry leader in farm management software, is pleased to announce it’s newest product, Crop Load Vision (CLV), has been named a finalist in the highly esteemed Fruit Logistica Innovation Award. This recognition highlights not only Croptracker’s commitment to excellence in farm software development, but to the innovation of the Crop Load Vision product. Crop Load Vision is a mobile app for counting pre harvested fruit. Using only a mobile iOS device, CLV captures fruit count in real time to assist growers in faster and more accurate crop load assessments. It requires no setup or internet connection and can be used at any time in the season to count fruit and fruitlets. Real time results and on screen feedback eliminate double counting and allows for on the ground, informed decision making. The Fruit Logistica Innovation Award is a prestigious honor bestowed upon companies that demonstrate outstanding achievements in the development of innovative products, services, or processes within
the fresh produce and horticulture industry. Crop Load Vision has been selected as a finalist based on its groundbreaking contributions to crop load projections and crop management decision making support. “We are thrilled to be recognized as a finalist for the Fruit Logistica Innovation Award,” said Matt Deir, CEO and founder at Croptracker. “This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team in pushing the boundaries of innovation within the ai and computer vision technologies and farm management support. We are proud to be among the select group of companies acknowledged for their commitment to advancing the industry.” The Croptracker team will present Crop Load Vision at Fruit Logistica in Berlin on February 7-9, 2024. The Fruit Logistica Innovation award will be judged by a panel of industry experts and trade show visitors and voting will close February 8th. The winner of the award will be announced during a ceremony on February 9th, celebrating the most impactful and forward-thinking contributions to the fresh produce and horticulture sector.
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FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE
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FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE
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2024 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETINGS OF TENDER FRUIT GROWERS Pre-registration is required. Please Email: sarah@ontariotenderfruit.ca and indicate which meeting you are attending. A copy of the Financial Statements will be mailed to each grower member in March. Districts 3 & 4 – Essex, Kent and Lambton – Tuesday March 26,2024 Time: 12pm(lunch)– 3pm (in-person at Colasanti’s Tropical Garden) Agenda: • Minutes March 21, 2023 • Presentation of 2023 financials • Tender Process - auditors • Chairman’s Report • Secretary’s Report • Tender Fruit Draft Cost of Production • Elections to Grower Committee • Election of Directors • Other Business District 5 – Haldimand-Norfolk- Wednesday March 27,2024 Time: 9:00am – via zoom (zoom link will be sent to registered attendees) Business Section Agenda: • Minutes March 22, 2023 • Presentation of 2023 financials • Tender Process- auditors • Chairman’s Report • Secretary’s Report • Elections to Grower Committee • Election of Directors • Other Business Districts 1 & 2 – Niagara- Thursday March 28,2024 Time and Place: Agenda: 9:30am: 10:15am
9:30am to approx. 1:30pm– In person at Hilton Garden Inn 500 York Road NOTL
Crop Protection Materials and Minor Use Updates Tender Fruit Draft Cost of Production
11:00am Business Section: • Presentation of 2023 financials • Tender Process- auditors for next 5 year cycle 2024 to 2028 • Minutes March 23, 2023 • Chairman’s Report • Secretary’s Report • Elections to Grower Committee, set first meeting 12:15pm:
Buffet Lunch
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FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE
WHO WEARE The Niagara Peninsula Fruit & Vegetable Growers' Association (NPF & VGA) represents producers who are engaged in the growing and marketing of fruits and vegetables in the region of Niagara. and in those portions of the Regions of Hamilton-Wentworth and Haldimand-Norfolk bounded by Highway 6 and the Grand River. The association is made up of elected directors (producers representing geographic areas of the peninsula) and industry representatives from OMAFRA. AAFC-Vineland, University of Guelph, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and various commodity boards.
OUR MISSION To represent Niagara Peninsula horticultural producers on significant regional issues and improve these producers' productivity and competitiveness through research and educational forums.
WHATWEDO AWARD OF MERIT: Our Award of Merit is presented each year to an industry person or business with a strong history of dedication to their agricultural community. The Award of Merit was first introduced in 1957. RESEARCH: Each year. NPF & VGA sets a research budget to help fund projects that focus on priority areas determined by our grower members. From pest management to labour efficiencies and everything in between, NPF & VGA is committed to connecting growers with the resources needed to have a sustainable and profitable future in the sector. SCHOLARSHIP: The Dave Lambert Agricultural Scholarship is a $1,500 award given to a student from the Niagara Region who has been accepted to or is enrolled in post-secondary agricultural studies who demonstrates a passion for the industry.
r.lorticultural
INSTAGRAM:
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: TUESDAY, MARCH 5TH IN ST. CATHARINES PO BOX 100 | VINELAND STATION, ON | L0R 2E0 | P: 905-688-0990