ISSUE # 47 – August 29, 2008

This update is designed to provide you with concise, up to date agricultural business information with links to where you can find the details. 

Programs

 

Ontario Market Investment Fund

The $12-million, four-year, Ontario Market Investment Fund was announced in the 2008 Ontario Budget and is targeted to promote consumer awareness of Ontario-produced foods and encourages Ontario to buy locally. The objectives of the Ontario Market Investment Fund are to develop opportunities through trade events, marketing campaigns and industry research initiatives that foster partnerships and collaboration for the promotion of Ontario foods.

 

Who may apply?

The Ontario Market Investment Fund encourages collaboration and partnerships.
Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to:

  • Strategic alliances between individuals, businesses, farmers, processors, community organizations, including not-for-profit, and/or municipalities
  • Agriculture and food industry associations in Ontario, including food retail and food service industry
  • Groups comprised of two or more partner organizations or businesses, including at least one food producer or processor

Individuals or individual businesses are not eligible to apply as sole applicants.

 

Funding

Projects are cost-shared with the provincial government investing up to 50 per cent of the project's eligible cost. Grants of up to $100,000 per approved project are available. In-kind contributions are not eligible for cost-sharing.

 

Eligible projects

The Ontario Market Investment Fund will support innovative market research, communications and/or marketing projects that encourage Ontarians to buy locally-produced foods.  For more details and for application forms visit http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/domestic/omif/omif.html

 

 

Agricultural Taxation Information

 

Details About The Proposed Exemption For Certain Transfers Of Farmed Land From A Family Farm Corporation To Individual Family Members - On March 25, 2008, proposed amendments to the Land Transfer Tax Act were announced in the 2008 Ontario Budget. It is proposed that an exemption from the tax would be available on certain transfers of farmed land from a family farm corporation to individual family members. This notice provides general information on the proposed exemption.  http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/notices/ltt/0608.html

 

Capital Tax Elimination For Manufacturing And Resource Activities - This notice provides additional information and guidance for taxpayers on the measure related to the retroactive elimination of the capital tax effective January 1, 2007, for Ontario companies primarily engaged in manufacturing and resource activities (In Ontario this includes farming activities) 

For details see http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/notices/ct/6029.html

 

Returnable Containers - Bill 44, the Budget Measures and Interim Appropriation Act, 2008, containing a number of measures relating to the Retail Sales Tax (RST) Act that were announced in the 2008 Ontario Budget, was passed in the Legislature and received Royal Assent on May 14, 2008. The measures confirm the ministry's longstanding tax treatment of returnable containers. 

For details see http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/notices/rst/65.html

 

 

New Publications, Conferences & Courses                                                                                           

 

Farm Succession Planning Guide, Publication 70; cost is $15.00 (SP order number is 0070E).  This publication replaces the 1997 edition of Publication 70, which was entitled Farm Estate Planning.   To order a copy visit Service Ontario Publications at www.publications.serviceontario.ca:

 

OMAFRA InfoSheet: Impact of Fuel Price Increases on Field Operations

Fuel price increases are having a big impact on the costs of operating farm machinery. This has farmers and custom operators alike asking what this additional fuel cost is for different field operations.

Per acre fuel cost estimates at different price levels for selected field operations are posted in a new OMAFRA InfoSheet Impact of Fuel Price Increases on Field Operations Cost at

www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/busdev/facts/fuelprices.htm

 

 

 

 

OMAFRA has a new newsletter – “ON Organic”.  As the title suggests it is on Organic issues that are relevant to the Ontario organic sector. The newsletter will cover production, processing, marketing, certification, sources of information, programs, and events to assist you with your organic production and marketing needs.  You can find “ON Organic” at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/organic/news/news-organic.html

 

OMAFRA Factsheet - Options for Farmers Dealing with Financial Difficulties, Order Number 08-033  http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/busdev/facts/08-033.htm

 

2008 Outlook Conference – Thursday November 13, 2008

Gain insight and new perspectives on the latest innovations in Ontario's agri-food sector by attending this international forum on innovation in agriculture, food and beyond. This year, our prestigious biennial conference will take place at the historic Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Canada.  To register or for conference details visit http://www.outlook2008.ca/en/index.php.  For the early bird conference rate you must register on or before September 30, 2008.

 

 

Calendar

September 9 – 11, 2008 – Outdoor Farm Show.  Watch for details on the 2008 show at http://www.outdoorfarmshow.com/enter.html

September 16 – 20, 2008 – International Plowing Match.  Details available online at http://www.plowingmatch.org/

October 31 – November 2, 2008 – North American Beef Congress, Western Fair, London.  Watch for details on the 2008 show at http://www.northamericanbeefcongress.com/

November 7 – 16, 2008 – Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.  Visit http://www.royalfair.org/ for further information.

November 9 – 13, 2008 - Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association fall study tour contact: Cathy Bartolic (Executive Administrator) E-mail: info@ontariofarmfresh.com

November 21 – 23, 2008  - Great Lakes Community Shared Agriculture Conference – Orillia, Ontario visit: http://www.csaconference2008.ca/

November 29, 2008 - Northern Ontario Agr-food Education Marketing Inc.  Workshop – Sudbury visit: http://norontagrifood.org/news.html

January 22 – 25, 2009 - Annual Organic Conference – U of G (workshops, training, seminars)  http://www.guelphorganicconf.ca/

January 28-30, 2009 - Canadian Farm Business Management Council’s - Managing Excellence and Agriculture Conference, Niagara Falls http://www.farmcentre.com/EventsAnnouncements/Events/ManagingExcellence/

Thanks for reading the OMAFRA Business Update. 

Questions or Comments: contact the editor, Rob Gamble at rob.gamble@ontario.ca. 

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OMAFRA website http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca 

Business Development website http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/busdev/agbusdev.html