by OMAFRA AG Rep Brian Bell
2017 Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Program
The 2017 Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Program is now accepting applications. Have you developed and implemented a unique product or process that helps foster innovation in Ontario’s agriculture and food sector? If so, you could be eligible to receive one of the following awards from the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Program: Premier’s Award (one award valued at $75,000), Minister’s Award (one award valued at $50,000), Leaders in Innovation Awards (three awards valued at $25,000 each), and Provincial Awards (45 awards valued at $5,000 each). Primary producers, farmers, processors and agri-food organizations are invited to apply. A copy of the program guidebook and application form, as well as information on previous award recipients is available online at www.ontario.ca/agrifoodinnovation or by phone at 1-877-424-1300. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 pm on Friday, April 28.
Ontario Farm Accounting Workbook
The Ontario Farm Accounting Workbook was developed in Excel format to help you in managing your farm business. It is designed to meet the farm business record keeping needs for commercial farms. It is simple, yet complete enough to provide details for tax purposes, for credit and for an analysis of your farm business. Version 5 was released in 2011. The workbook has been updated with AgriStability program and Harmonized Sales Tax information. The ability to allocate revenue and expenses to individual enterprises has also been added along with cost of production reports based on those allocations. A basic knowledge of Excel is necessary. The file is available here: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/busdev/download/wkbk_ontfarm.htm