FedNor funding targets grain infrastructure, dairy technology, greenhouse efficiency, food production and new market opportunities across Northern Ontario.
Northern Ontario farmers and agri-food businesses are receiving nearly $4 million in federal funding for projects designed to expand agricultural infrastructure, improve production efficiency and connect businesses with new markets.
The federal government announced $3,817,640 in FedNor funding for eight agriculture and agri-food economic development projects across Northern Ontario.
The investments stretch across several agricultural sectors, from new and expanded grain elevators to dairy automation, maple syrup production, and greenhouse modernization. Funding will also help Northern Ontario food businesses showcase their products at one of Canada's largest agricultural events.
For farmers, several of the projects address the infrastructure needed to move, condition and store agricultural products closer to where they are produced.
Grain Infrastructure Gets a Boost
Bauman Agri Services received a $500,000 repayable FedNor investment toward construction of a grain elevator serving farmers in the Algoma region.
The commercial grain handling facility includes a weigh scale, grain dryer, warehouse and storage bins. According to FedNor, the project fills a gap in regional agricultural infrastructure while providing Algoma farmers with greater access to provincial and international grain markets.
HCF North is receiving another $370,350 in repayable funding to expand its grain conditioning and storage infrastructure.
The additional capacity is intended to help farmers in Northern Ontario's Claybelt region reduce transportation costs, increase crop production and gain access to new markets.
In Northwestern Ontario, Brielmann Agriculture Ltd. is receiving $500,000 in repayable funding to expand a grain elevator serving the Rainy River region. The expansion will increase grain storage and handling capacity and is intended to improve farmers' access to existing domestic and international markets while creating opportunities to enter new ones.
Together, the grain projects illustrate the importance of local handling, storage and conditioning capacity to agricultural development in regions where considerable distances can separate farms from infrastructure and markets.
Dairy and Maple Operations Expand
The funding also reaches individual farm and food businesses investing in production capacity and technology.
Double Ridge Farms is receiving a $500,000 repayable investment to construct a new 1,950-square-metre dairy barn and introduce new production technology.
Plans include two robotic milking systems. FedNor says the project will allow the farm to expand its herd and dairy quota while improving production efficiency and animal welfare and supporting future growth.
Hubbert's Maple Inc. is receiving $520,804 in repayable funding for new equipment to support its expansion. The investment will increase boiling capacity and modernize the company's existing evaporator, allowing the business to increase hourly maple syrup production while improving operating efficiency.
Greenhouse Business Examines Modernization
La Maison Verte is receiving a $92,760 non-repayable investment toward a technical review of its greenhouse infrastructure.
The work will support development of a seedling production modernization plan, including examination of a new packaging method and testing of new production processes.
The project is also expected to identify possible opportunities for automation and lower input costs, potentially helping the operation improve efficiency as it plans future production.
Northern Ontario Businesses Head to The Royal
The largest individual non-repayable investment announced is $833,726 for Economic Partners-Sudbury East/West Nipissing.
The funding will support the 23rd annual Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion at the 2026 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.
The 650-square-metre pavilion can accommodate up to 50 Northern Ontario agri-food businesses, giving participating companies an opportunity to promote and sell products, pursue new markets and establish business partnerships.
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6 to 15 and attracts more than 300,000 visitors annually.
FedNor says it has supported the Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion at The Royal for 25 years, helping small and medium-sized businesses from the region become better known among consumers, industry representatives and prospective investors.
Building Agricultural Capacity in Northern Ontario
Although the eight projects vary considerably in size and purpose, much of the investment centres on increasing Northern Ontario's capacity to produce, handle, store and market agricultural and food products.
The federal funding is being delivered through FedNor's Northern Ontario Development Program, Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program and Economic Development Initiative.
For Northern Ontario agriculture, investments in grain elevators and storage facilities are particularly significant because they provide infrastructure that can be used by farmers beyond an individual operation. At the farm and processing level, investments in automation, production equipment and modernization are aimed at improving efficiency and supporting business expansion.
The federal government says the overall investment is intended to help Northern Ontario agri-food businesses strengthen local economies while contributing to more resilient Canadian food supply chains.