RAIN visits Manitoulin
RAIN (Rural Agri-Innovation Network) will be discussing funding opportunities in West-Sudbury and Manitoulin Island on Tuesday, July 29 from 7 to 9 pm at the Spring Bay Hall, 9298 Hwy. 552.
RAIN focusses on a pan-northern approach to helping agricultural producers build capacity within their business. Through research, relationship building and market development, the RAIN seeks to increase production and market demand for rural based crops and value added products. On Tuesday, July 29, we will be travelling to Manitoulin Island to share some of RAIN’s funding opportunities. The RAIN and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation have implemented an infrastructure development project that includes tile drainage and on/off farm storage facilities. This project has begun in Algoma/Sault Ste. Marie and is progressing forward for Manitoulin Island, meaning we are looking for growers who are interested in tiling their land.
The second program we will be talking about is the Sustainable New Agricultural Products (SNAP) Program. This program is a pilot for Northern Ontario agriculture and food producers, businesses and collaborations, which will provide up to $5,000 (per collaborator, to a maximum of $15,000) at 80 percent cost-share toward the purchase of processing equipment that would result in the creation of a food or agriculture product new to the business. The SNAP program is administrated by the Rural Agri-Innovation Network in collaboration with Clover Valley Farmers’ Market, Eat Local Sudbury Co-operative and the Northeast Community Network. DEADLINE FOR THIS PROGRAM IS SEPTEMBER 1, 2014. More information at rainalgoma.ca/SNAP. We encourage growers interested in tile drainage or value-added processing to attend the information session on Tuesday July 29 or contact Katie Filion (below) to discuss these funding options.
