NOHFC Invests in Northern Agriculture

Ontario, through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, is investing $15.6 million in 27 agriculture projects in Northern Ontario.

Investments in studies and agriculture sector support include:

• The Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance (NOFIA) is receiving $67,455 to develop a Dairy Strategy for Northern Ontario to identify sustainability and market growth potential for the dairy sector as a whole.
• NOFIA is also receiving $22,500 to assess the distribution network for agriculture products in the Timiskaming area and study the potential for a rail unloading/loading facility.
• Sheguiandah First Nation is receiving $15,907 for an agricultural land use study to determine the best use for 131 acres of farmland north of the community.
• Nipissing First Nation is receiving $40,000 to study the feasibility of operating a commercial greenhouse facility along Highway 17.
• The Ontario Natural Food Co-op is receiving $146,000 for a three-year project to provide training for operators of food and farming co-ops across Northern Ontario.
• The Municipality of West Nipissing is receiving $191,250 to help organize the 2019 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in Verner from September 17 to 21st.

Investments in tile drainage and land clearing include:

• NOFIA is receiving $844,691 to help six farmers install tile drainage on a total of 1,912 acres of land in the Timiskaming and Cochrane Districts.
• NOFIA is receiving $611,980 to help 11 farmers clear land and install tile drainage on 1,925 acres of land in the Timiskaming and Cochrane Districts.
• NOFIA is receiving $998,813 to help 22 farmers install tile drainage on a total of 2,006 acres of land in the Timiskaming and Cochrane Districts.
• The Northeast Community Network is receiving $470,940 to help eight farmers clear land and install tile drainage on a total 1,788 acres of land in the Cochrane District.
• West Nipissing East Sudbury Agricultural Supports Projects Inc. is receiving $1,000,000 to help 17 farmers clear land and install tile drainage on a total 1,670 acres of land in the area.
• The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre is receiving an additional $206,275, for a total of $1 million, to help 31 farmers clear land and install tile drainage on a total 1,921 acres of land in the Algoma/Sudbury West region.
• The LaCloche Manitoulin Business Assistance Corporation (LAMBAC) is receiving $471,000 to help 17 farmers clear land and install tile drainage on a total 785 acres of land in the Manitoulin Island and the LaCloche Foothills area.
• The Northeast Community Network is receiving $670,719 to help 6 farmers clear land and install tile drainage on a total 1,357 acres of land in the New Liskeard to Val Rita area.
• The Northeast Community Network is receiving $820,228 to help 10 farmers clear land and install tile drainage on 1,788 acres of land in the Cochrane District.
• The Rainy River Future Development Corp. is receiving $999,825 to help eight farmers install tile drainage on 1,943 acres of land in the Rainy River District.
• The Rainy River Future Development Corp. is receiving $1,000,000 to help 7 farmers install tile drainage on 1,924 acres of land in the Rainy River District.
• The Rainy River Future Development Corp. is receiving $957,590 to help 15 farmers clear 1,682 acres of land in the Fort Frances area.
• The Rainy River Future Development Corp. is receiving $1,000,000 to help seven farmers install tile drainage on 1,924 acres of land in the Rainy River District.
• The Northeast Community Network is receiving $1,000,000 to help seven farmers clear land and install tile drainage on 1,788 acres of land in the Cochrane District.
• West Nipissing East Sudbury Agricultural Supports Projects Inc. is receiving $702,600 to help 12 farmers install tile drainage on 1,171 acres of land in the area.
• NOFIA is receiving $959,066 to help 32 farmers clear land and install tile drainage on 2,190 acres of land Timiskaming and Cochrane Districts

Investments in agriculture facility expansions include:

• The Township of Seguin is receiving $405,000 to construct a new building for the Milford Bay Trout Farm at the Parry Sound Airport industrial park; the project also includes the installation of fencing and upgrades of fuel storage capacity.
• Thunder Bay Community Pasture is receiving $11,564 to upgrade its animal handling facility, including new pens and corrals.
• The Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society is receiving $329,499 to construct a new building and expand its events and education facility at the Emo Fairgrounds property; the project includes a new commercial kitchen and a covered eating area.
• Rainy River District Regional Abattoir Inc. is receiving $45,000 to expand the Emo abattoir, including new animal processing equipment to help increase revenues.
• Cloverbelt Country Meats Co-operative Inc. is receiving $826,140 to expand the abattoir, including new animal processing equipment to increase capacity at the Oxdrift facility.