Ontario organizations with local associations

Many province-wide organizations have active local associations that can help to build your networks. These organizations offer workshops, lead research or host conferences. Accredited farm organizations include:

Northern Ontario organizations

These organizations in Northern Ontario offer funding, workshops, services and networking opportunities.

Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance

The Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance (NOFIA):

  • facilitates northern research and farm innovations across northern Ontario
  • offers a list of programs and events

Rural Agri-Innovation Network

The Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) is a division of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre. With support from farmers and communities, its goal is to enhance the agriculture and food sector in Algoma.

RAIN carries out research, agriculture development projects and manages a range of programs.

Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy

The Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy is committed to creating a healthy, equitable and sustainable food system.

The Food Strategy holds networking events, workshops and hosts a local food and farm directory.

Local Food and Farm Co-ops Network

The Local Food and Farm Co-ops Network (LFFC) is an incorporated not-for-profit co-operative that specializes in organizing and development support for food and farming co-ops in Ontario. LFFC manages several projects in northern Ontario and the Fair Finance Fund.

Regional newsletters

The Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) sends a monthly regional newsletter on:

  • upcoming local and provincial events
  • funding announcements
  • services and resources

Subscribe to a newsletter in your region.

Northern research institutions

Research institutions can help you select the proper crop cultivars in relation to the proper Growing Degree Days (GDD) and the weather the plants grow in. The following institutions have conducted in-field crop trials for many years. Located across the North, they have a multitude of yield results for various cereal, beans, oil seeds and grasses cultivars:

Veterinary services, abattoirs and agriculture supply dealers

Veterinary services, abattoirs and agriculture supply dealers may be more limited in Northern Ontario due to the greater distances between larger service centres.

Veterinary services

Large animal veterinarians are essential for livestock herd health and emergencies. Check with your neighbouring livestock producers to find out where they source their vet services and animal health products.

Abattoirs

Contact the abattoir operator to verify:

  • the process you need to follow to book an appointment
  • wait times for slaughter
  • wait times for cut orders to be picked up

You can find a list of provincially inspected abattoirs on the Ontario Data Catalogue.

Agriculture supply dealers

Agriculture supply dealers are often a one-stop shop where you can find hardware, feed, seed, herbicide and more.

Share your crop plans in advance with staff so they can better plan ordering, reception and delivery of the inputs you require.

You need to order spring inputs in early fall to secure volumes and arrange transportation to the agriculture supply dealer.

Markets

When developing your business plan, remember that there is a greater distance to larger markets in Southern Ontario and the United States. There is often a lot of opportunity to sell to the local market but it’s important to research the size of the market, key demographics and distance to market.

Funding programs

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership offers cost-share funding programs to producers and associated other agri-business operations.

Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation programs

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) provides financial assistance to projects that stabilize, diversify and foster economic growth in the region. The Launch Stream is designed to help launch new businesses in northern Ontario. The Grow Stream is helps with the growth and expansion of existing business in northern Ontario.

Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) provides support to innovative projects that lead to job creation and economic growth.

Sustainable New Agri-Food and Productivity Program

The Sustainable New Agri-Food and Productivity Program (SNAPP) is an initiative of RAIN and is a funding program available to both new and established farm businesses and food processors to develop a new product, enhance their productivity and/or improve efficiency or reduce their ecological impact and carbon footprint.

Community Futures Development Corporations

Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) offer free business counselling, loans for start-ups and expansion and assistance with strategic planning.

Small Business Enterprise Centres

Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) provide a range of resources to new and established businesses, such as help with creating a business plan, access to workshops and mentoring.

Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario

Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario (IAPO) provides financing and support to build sustainable communities for Indigenous farmers and businesses.