Helping Agricultural Business-Organizations ( Nakiiwin- Enkiitimajig)

The Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) supports farmers to build resilient ecological farms and grow a strong knowledge-sharing community.

Established in 1979 by farmers for farmers, EFAO is a membership organization that focuses on farmer-led education, research and community building. EFAO brings farmers together so they can learn from each other and improve the health of their soils, crops, livestock and the environment, while running profitable farm businesses.

The EFAO runs farmer-led research programs, New Farmer programs, Northern farmer to farmer training, seed security program, soil health benchmark study and pilot small grains program.

The Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) is a division of Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre with support from farmers and communities to enhance the agriculture and food sector in Algoma. RAIN’s vision is to build a resilient farm and food sector in Algoma through innovative research and agriculture development projects.

RAIN accomplishes their mission by encouraging business growth and improved capacity for farmers and food businesses, collaborating with industry, government and communities to develop initiatives that meet the needs of farmers and agri-food businesses and providing networks of support that enhance the industry.

RAIN has a number of funding programs including SNAPP, the Sustainable New Agri-food Products and Productivity Program, Advancing Northern Maple Program, Buy Algoma Buy Local Program, Infrastructure and Covid-related programming. RAIN also coordinates agricultural events.

IAPO offers financing and business support to help First Nations farmer flourish

Whether you’re a new farmer or an established farmer looking to expand, IAPO offers an assortment of financing solutions, learning opportunities and business support to help you build and grow your business. Using a trusted farm business advisor or a team of advisors can help your farm reach greater financial success. IAPO offers First Nation farm and business financing and farm advisory services. IAPO offers Business Recovery financing associated with the pandemic, farm and business financing and an emergency loan program.

OFA is a trusted, farmer-led organization for Ontario’s farming community. They use a grassroots voice to advocate for a sustainable farming and food sector on issues that impact our more than 38,000 farm members, the industry and rural communities. OFA is a dynamic, producer-led organization based in Guelph, Ontario that works to represent and champion the diverse interests of Ontario’s agri-food sector and rural communities. Their work includes government relations, farm policy development, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. They have a strong voice for members and the agri-food industry on issues, legislation and regulations governed by municipal, provincial and federal governments.

Waubetek delivers business financing and economic support services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs and First Nation communities. They offer financial assistance for business start-ups, expansions and business acquisitions.  They host workshops on various topics. Waubetek has also developed regional strategies for Aboriginal participation in mining, fisheries, aquaculture and tourism.

AAC is an industry-led organization that delivers funding programs and services that stimulate growth and opportunity for Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food industry. Current funding programs include an emergency processing fund for Ontario, a greenhouse competitiveness and innovation initiative, an Ontario Regional Priorities Partnership program, a Canadian Food Innovation Cluster Project, and a Canadian Ornamental Horticultural Alliance program.

Farm Credit Canada offers financing for agricultural producers, businesses and the food and beverage industry. They also offer a Covid 19 support program. They will provide financing for livestock, land, buildings, and environmental solutions.

The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) is a unique not-for-profit farm organization that represents all commodity groups across the province. OSCIA delivers programs of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership including the Farmland Health Checkup, LEADS, and the managed bee health targeted intake. It also operates the Species at Risk partnership program on agricultural lands and various workshops and webinars including Biosecurity, Environmental Farm Plan, and Growing Your Farm Profits.

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) is a five-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative to strengthen the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sector and increase its competitiveness, prosperity and sustainability.

OSCIA is delivering Partnership cost-share funding programs to producers and associated other agri-business operations. The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is currently accepting applications for the targeted intake to Support Honey Bee Health Management. Upcoming intake dates for all other cost-share funding opportunities will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

The Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) provides funding and support to Indigenous groups and communities that aren’t eligible for AICFI or PICFI in all areas where DFO manages the fishery. This initiative supports development of Indigenous-owned communal commercial fishing enterprises and aquaculture operations.

NICFI uses a step wise approach with a particular focus on business development planning and advice. It’s targeted at enterprise-specific training for fisheries. It aims to meet the needs of communities whether they wish to pursue a commercial fishery, a redistributive commercial fishery or a hybrid of both. There are four program components; capacity building, harvester training, expansion and diversification, and aquaculture development.

Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) represents more than 1,300 family run farms that collectively ensure Ontario consumers enjoy a reliable supply of safe, healthy, high quality, Ontario-grown chicken. The Ontario chicken industry is an important contributor to the economic health of the province. The industry is supported by an extensive value chain including Ontario chicken farms, Ontario corn and soybean growers, chick hatcheries, and chicken processors that collectively contribute more than $3.8 billion annually to the Ontario economy and support more than 22,000 full-time local jobs.

For close to sixty years, the Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) has been a tough and credible advocate and unified voice for the province’s 19,000 beef farmers, representing all sectors of the industry. On behalf of its members, BFO advocates in the areas of sustainability, animal health and care, environment, food safety, and domestic and export market development. BFO’s vision is to foster a sustainable and profitable beef industry, and have Ontario beef recognized as an outstanding product by consumers.

Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers promotes the sector through advocacy, research and value chain co-ordination so that members have the opportunity to succeed.

Ontario Sheep Farmers is a producer operated organization which represents all aspects of the sheep, lamb and wool industry in the Province of Ontario. It was established to encourage, promote and represent the industry. Our activities work to improve the marketing of sheep, lamb and wool through producer education, promotional campaigns, consumer education and public awareness.

The Ontario Beekeepers Association works to ensure a thriving and sustainable beekeeping industry in Ontario. To this end, they advocate for beekeepers’ interests, support honey bee health research and deliver practical training and information.

In our vision, Ontario leads with well-informed and skilled beekeepers, healthy and plentiful honeybees raised in Ontario, a prosperous beekeeping industry as well as a widespread appreciation for honey and for the critical role that honey bees play in agriculture.

The Ontario Aquaculture Association (OAA) was created by industry to foster growth, innovation and partnerships across the province’s thriving seafood farming sector.

By production and volume, the association represents more than 95% of the aquaculture industry in Ontario, including finfish and shrimp growers, land-based and open net-pen operations, seafood for food or recreational fishing, feed suppliers and other companies invested in growing healthy, sustainable protein here in Ontario.

OMSPA is committed to providing both our members and consumers with a forum for all things related to maple. As producers, OMSPA provides consumers with information on the benefits of using maple products and where to obtain locally produced maple syrup. We also are committed to providing producers with a forum for networking, learning, and contributing to the improvement of the maple syrup industry in Ontario. OMSPA provides producers a source for the latest news, developments, and information on the industry and participates in local and regional events across the country.

The mission of NOFIA is to develop strategies and partnerships to ensure the advancement of agricultural research and innovation in Northern Ontario. NOFIA helps to promote research and development in the field of agricultural products, to develop and facilitate basic research through commercialization and to advance the interests of agriculture and farm innovation in Northern Ontario.

The Organic Council of Ontario is a membership-based non-profit association that represents Ontario’s organic sector. The OCO is the only trade association working and advocating on behalf of the entire organic industry, from field to plate.

Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers.

CESO has launched a new service in response to the global pandemic with support from the federal government. CESO will provide a premium service and focus on underserved Indigenous clients in the regions of Western, Atlantic and Central Canada. The program starts May 1st 2021 and runs to March 31, 2022. The new program provides CESO services at no cost to eligible clients. Services provide flexible and affordable solutions to support your economic development goals.  This includes short and long term projects from implementation to completion, including troubleshooting.