Canadian Agricultural Partnership: cost-share funding
Learn about funding available through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Cost-share funding for the Poultry biosecurity preparedness initiative
The Poultry biosecurity preparedness initiative, launched on January 12, 2023, is a new cost-share initiative, targeting the non-supply managed poultry sector with a focus on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) preparedness and response. It has an intake budget of up to $1.5M to support sector activities.
Intake timing
Applications will be accepted from January 12, 2023 until February 17, 2023 or while funding remains available, whichever comes first.
Application information
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) administers cost-share funding to non-supply managed poultry sector with a focus on HPAI preparedness and response.
View program details, including how to apply and program guides.
Cost-share funding for farmers and other businesses
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) provides cost-share funding support to farmers and other businesses (plant health). Funding is available for key priority areas, which include: research and innovation, economic development, environmental stewardship and protection and assurance. More details on available project funding can be found here.
Intake timing
Thank you for your interest in Cost-share funding for farmers and other businesses. The last intake period is now closed. Other streams remain open and eligible applications accepted. For more information, please refer to Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership).
Application information
The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) administers cost-share funding to farmers and other businesses (plant health).
Program details, including how to apply, program guides, and application forms can be found on the OSCIA website.
All businesses must complete the program enrolment form before applying for cost-share funding.
Cost-share funding under the Partnership is merit-based and project funding amounts are individually established based on project categories.
Cost-share funding for Increasing deadstock capacity initiative
This initiative for Increasing deadstock capacity targets livestock producers, other agri-businesses and municipalities that support planning, establishing, and/or managing deadstock to increase capacity for deadstock management.
Intake timing
Completed applications forms will be accepted from November 18, 2021 until January 31, 2022 or while funding remains available, whichever comes first.
Application information
OMAFRA administers the Partnership cost-share funding for the Increasing deadstock capacity initiative.
For more details please visit the program guidelines and the application form or email agruralprograms@ontario.ca or call
Cost-share funding for processors and other businesses
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) provides cost-share funding support to processors and other businesses (animal health, commercializers and primary agri-food businesses) in key priority areas, economic development and protection and assurance.
Intake timing
The last application intake closed on October 20, 2021.
Application information
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs administers cost-share funding to processors and other businesses (animal health, commercializers and primary agri-food businesses)
Program details, including how to apply and program guides, are available here for processors and here for other business.
Meat processors capacity improvement initiative
The Meat processors capacity improvement initiative provides funding support for provincially licensed meat processors, or federally licensed meat processors in Ontario for equipment to increase efficiency and productivity. Eligible projects must be completed with equipment delivered and claims submitted by March 25, 2022 for eligible expenses incurred on or after November 19, 2021. Recipients will have until June 30, 2022 to have their equipment installed.
Intake timing
The second intake for the Meat processors capacity improvement initiative is now closed.
Application information
OMAFRA administers the Partnership cost-share funding for the Meat processors capacity improvement initiative.
For more details please visit the program guidelines and the application form or email agruralprograms@ontario.ca or call
Cost-share funding to support honey bee health management
The honey bee health management is a targeted application intake to help operational improvements for the purpose of reducing biosecurity risks, overwinter loss and to manage or prevent the introduction and spread of honey bee pests and disease.
Intake timing
The Partnership’s intake to support managed bee health began accepting applications on June 21, 2021.
Application information
The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) administers cost-share funding for honey bee health management.
Program details, including how to apply, program guides, and application forms can be found on the OSCIA website.
Cost-share funding for ready-to-eat (RTE) fruit and vegetable packing house businesses that are non-federally licensed
Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership), the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is launching a targeted application intake designed to help packing businesses reduce food safety risks through:
- equipment and/or facility improvements
- enhancements to sanitation practices
Intake timing
The last application intake closed on April 9, 2021.
Application Information
OMAFRA administers the Partnership cost-share funding to non-federally licensed RTE fruit and vegetable packing house businesses.
The guide and application form are available here or by emailing agpartnership@ontario.ca or calling
Provincially licensed abattoir initiative
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) provides cost-share funding for provincially licensed abattoirs to enhance food safety, animal welfare and biosecurity. Intake three supported the purchase of equipment and structural upgrades.
Intake timing
The last application intake closed on June 30, 2020.
Application information
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) administers the Partnership cost-share funding to provincially licensed abattoirs.
The guide and application form are available here (PDF) or by emailing agpartnership@ontario.ca or calling
Provincially inspected dairy plants initiative
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) provides cost-share funding for provincially inspected dairy plants or dairy plants inspected by Public Health who attended the OMAFRA pasteurization training on January 23 and/or 24, 2020.
Intake timing
The last application intake closed on June 30, 2020.
Application information
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs administers cost-share funding for provincially inspected dairy plants.
The guide and application form are available by emailing agpartnership@ontario.ca or calling
Agri-food open for e-business targeted intake
Thank you for your interest in the program. The Agri-food open for e-business targeted intake has been well-received and is now closed.
Lake Erie Agriculture Demonstrating Sustainability (LEADS)
Declining water quality is a significant concern in parts of Lake Erie. To support water quality improvements in Lake Erie, Ontario has committed to reduce phosphorus entering Lake Erie’s western and central basins by 40% by 2025.
LEADS targeted programming under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) will build on the substantial leadership that Ontario farmers in the Lake Erie watershed have demonstrated actions to improve soil health and water quality.
Farmers will work one-on-one with a participating certified crop advisor or professional agrologist, free of charge, to identify best management practices (BMPs) tailored to the specific needs of their operation.
LEADS targets the Lake Erie watershed to address the following priorities:
- reducing nutrient loss, in particular, phosphorus from agriculture production within Ontario’s Lake Erie watershed
- improving soil health of farmland
Intake timing
The last application intake closed on November 8, 2021.
Application information
The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) administers cost-share funding for LEADS.
Program details, including how to apply, program guides, and application forms can be found on the OSCIA website.
Cost-share funding to support enhanced biosecurity for African Swine Fever preparedness
Through the Enhanced biosecurity for African Swine Fever preparedness initiative under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the governments of Ontario and Canada are providing targeted support for enhanced biosecurity and emergency preparedness planning activities to reduce the likelihood of the introduction of African Swine Fever (ASF) into Ontario. This intake will assist producers, processors and other agri-businesses across Ontario’s pork value chain by cost-sharing certain expenses related to biosecurity improvements and ASF prevention and preparedness activities.
Intake timing
Completed applications forms will be accepted from November 5, 2021 until March 21, 2022 or while funding remains available, whichever comes first.
Application information
OMAFRA administers the Partnership cost-share funding for the Enhanced biosecurity for African Swine Fever preparedness initiative.
For more details please visit the program guidelines and the application form or email agruralprograms@ontario.ca or call
Livestock veterinary innovation initiative
The Livestock veterinary innovation initiative is cost-share initiative that will increase the access options for veterinary care, especially in rural and northern Ontario, to better support animal health, the livestock agri-food sector and the strength of the province’s food supply.
Intake timing
Applications from veterinary businesses will be accepted from February 15, 2022 until March 31, 2022.
Application information
The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) administers cost-share funding for the Livestock veterinary innovation initiative.
For more details, visit the AAC website.
Ontario agri-careers support initiative
The Ontario agri-careers support initiative is cost-share initiative to support pilot projects to address food processing labour shortages and build a strong, competitive, and skilled agri-food workforce.
Intake timing
Applications will be accepted from March 3, 2022 to April 7, 2022.
Application information
The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) administers cost-share funding for the Ontario agri-careers support initiative.
For more details, visit the AAC website.
Addressing agri-food sector labour force challenges
The initiative provides cost-share funding support for short-term projects that focus on helping to build a resilient and strong labour force for the agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sector by assisting to identify and address challenges and opportunities related to promoting, attracting, training and retaining labour.
Intake timing
The application intake for Addressing agri-food sector labour force challenges closed on February 15, 2022.
Application information
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs administers cost-share funding for Addressing agri-food sector labour force challenges.
Program details, including how to apply and program guides, are available here.
Place to Grow: agri-food innovation initiative
The latest application intake for the Place to Grow: agri-food innovation initiative funding for sectors stream is now closed. The ministry is reviewing applications received by 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 26, 2020. Applicants will be notified once decisions have been finalized.
The COVID‑19 outbreak has created challenges for the agri-food sector. OMAFRA has been reviewing all programming under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership ) to ensure it addresses sector needs.
OMAFRA continues to work on enhancing the Place to Grow: strategic solutions to better support the sector in recovering from COVID‑19 and building resiliency for the future.
- Funding for sectors — supports agriculture and food value chain partners by offering cost-share funding opportunities to address identified industry priorities and outcomes for Ontario.
- Strategic solutions — focuses on bold, innovative, and collaborative projects proposed by industry partners to drive priority outcomes that have been identified under the Place to Grow program.
Application information
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs administers cost-share funding for the Place to Grow program.
Program inquiries can be directed to the Agriculture Information Contact Center at: