Province of Ontario growing the agri-food sector in the north

Multiple tile draining systems to be constructed with the provincial investment in the Northern Ontario sector.

By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

The Province of Ontario is investing over $6-million via its Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) in 17 agri-food projects in Northern Ontario.

The funding is expected to increase job opportunities, expand business operations, improve crop yields, and stimulate economic development and diversification across the north sector of the province.

In 2021, the Ontario government launched new and improved NOHFC programs to support more projects in rural northern communities, targeting existing and emerging markets, providing more work opportunities for Indigenous people, and addressing the skilled labour shortage in the north.

“Agriculture producers and food processors are increasingly looking to Northern Ontario as a region of opportunity and fertility,” said Greg Rickford, the provincial Minister of Development. “Today’s investment demonstrates our government’s commitment to growing and developing the northern agri-food sector.”

Added Lisa Thompson, provincial Minister of Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA): “The agri-food sector is and always will be a cornerstone of this province’s economy. Investment in this sector will contribute to further economic development and build food security in Northern Ontario.”

The following projects will receive NOHFC funding:

• $1 million for Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance to administer a tile drainage installation project within the districts of Timiskaming and Cochrane, benefitting a consortium of 17 producers;
• $979,175 for Northeast Community Network to administer a tile drainage installation project within the District of Cochrane, benefitting a consortium of seven producers;
• $972,600 for West Nipissing East Sudbury Agricultural Support Projects Inc. to administer a tile drainage installation project within the districts of Parry Sound, Nipissing, Timiskaming, Cochrane, and Sudbury, benefitting a consortium of 17 producers;
• $606,000 for West Nipissing East Sudbury Agricultural Support Projects Inc. to administer a tile drainage installation project within the districts of Parry Sound, Nipissing, Timiskaming, Cochrane, and Sudbury, benefitting a consortium of 13 producers;
• $535,989 for Claybrook Holsteins Inc., a dairy farm in Thornloe, Ontario, to build a new barn, renovate an existing barn, and purchase equipment;
• $431,738 for West Nipissing East Sudbury Agricultural Support Projects Inc. to administer a tile drainage installation project within the districts of Parry Sound, Nipissing, Timiskaming, Cochrane, and Sudbury, benefitting a consortium of 12 producers;
• $309,086 for Sutom Holsteins Inc., a dairy farm in Englehart, Ontario, to renovate a barn and purchase equipment;
• $299,192 for Aniko Pasta Artigianale, a producer of handmade artisanal pasta in Sudbury, Ontario, to renovate its facility and purchase equipment;
• $200,000 to Peter Struyk to establish a grain drying and storage business in Cochrane, Ontario, as well as $59,139 to update the facility and purchase additional equipment;
• $191,720 for Truly Northern Inc. to establish a lettuce and herbs hydroponic farm in Opasatika, Ontario;
• $187,208 for Inglis Farm Drainage Inc. to establish a tile drainage business in Earlton, Ontario;
• $143,392 for Ferme Léveillé Et Fils Ltd., a dairy farm in Earlton, Ontario, to purchase equipment and build a barn and manure room;
• $110,000 for JLT Enterprises to establish a grain handling, conditioning, and shipping facility in Desbarats, Ontario;
• $51,923 for The Honey Suite, a produce farm in Mattawa, Ontario, to build a greenhouse and purchase equipment;
• $8,190 for Boreal Naturals Inc., an organic berries business in Warren, Ontario, to purchase equipment;
• $4,960 for Daniel Hamann, an operator of a hay feed business in Jogues, Ontario, to purchase a bale wrapper.

"This Ontario government investment will help augment the number of acres in agricultural production. The impact of tile drainage is not only seen through increased cash crop production but also in the development of spinoff industries such as transportation and grain storage," said Yves Gauthier, the President of the Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance.

The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects—big and small, rural and urban—that stimulate growth, job creation, and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $575 million in 4,835 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.86 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 7,770 jobs.