by OMAFRA ag rep Brian Bell
Growing Forward 2: What’s New!
Growing Forward 2 (GF2) offers cost-share funding assistance, free workshops and training for Ontario producers, processors, organizations and collaborations. What’s New for GF2? This year we’ve made it easier for clients to put together a good project application by making the following changes to the program: Priorities are clearly identified in the program guides; All projects will be assessed on merit; Cost-share funding will be capped depending on the project category; Some project categories have prerequisites as a required condition before clients can apply; Approval of your project is needed before costs can be incurred and paid. New Dates for GF2: GF2 cost-share funding assistance application intakes for producers and processors are: May 1 to May 21, 2015, August 10 to August 27, 2015, November 16 to December 3, 2015. For more information visit www.ontario.ca/growingforward2
GF2 Producer Information Sessions
Come to an information session to learn about updates to the Growing Forward 2 Funding Assistance for Producers Program. Growing Forward 2 (GF2) is a five-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative designed to encourage innovation, competitiveness and market development in Canada’s Agri-food and Agri-products sector through cost share funding opportunities. In its third year, these information sessions will provide an opportunity to learn about the continued funding opportunities for Ontario Farmers under the GF2, program updates, eligibility and evaluation requirements, as well as a demonstration on how to complete an online application using the GF2 Client Portal. If unable to make an in-person session, we will also be offering information sessions through online webinars. To participate in a webinar, you need an Internet connection as well as a telephone line. You must register for webinars as there are a limited number of participants per session. These sessions are offered by OSCIA field staff. Dates and times of information sessions are listed below. To register for a webinar, please visit www.ontariosoilcrop.org. Contact either of the following for more information: Claude Peloquin: cpeloquin@ontariosoilcrop.org 705 491 5094, Mary Scott: mscott@ontariosoilcrop.org 705 561 6415, Michel Champagne: mchampagne@ontariosoilcrop.org, 705-492-2601. Information sessions: All 7:30 to 9 pm: Monday, April 27, Timiskaming District, Kerns Township Hall; Tuesday, April 28, Algoma District, Bruce Station Community Hall; Tuesday, May 5, Manitoulin District, Spring Bay Hall; Thursday, May 7, Sudbury District, Massey Firehall. Webinars: All 7:30 to 9 pm, Wednesday, April 29, Monday, May 4, Wednesday, May 6, Monday, May 11 (French), Tuesday, May 19 (French) and Wednesday, May 20.
