OVER $5 MILLION APPROVED THROUGH GROWING FORWARD 2 TO SUPPORT ONTARIO INNOVATION, COMPETITIVENESS AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT

July 29, 2014 Guelph, ON - The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) board of directors has approved 52 projects totaling over $5 million under Growing Forward 2 (GF2) over the past three months. These projects will promote innovation, competiveness and market development of Ontario organizations and collaborations.  

"The sectors interest in, and uptake of, the GF2 program is unprecedented," says Kristin Ego MacPhail, AAC Chair. "The enormous response by the industry to GF2 for the organizations and collaborations program truly reflects the appropriateness and need for this program."  

The funding approved under the past two rounds of applications, includes:

• The Ontario Turfgrass Research Association's efforts to produce an effective biological method of controlling dandelion weeds in turfgrass. This project will test microbes, which inhabit internal plant tissues  causing disease, for their ability to suppress dandelion seed germination and growth as a natural foliar herbicidal spray. If successful, this project will be of immediate value to the maintenance of all turfgrass as it will  protect green space from dandelion infestations by using alternative herbicides, which will also reduce environmental risks.
   
• Betolianni Organic Farms and Yorkshire Farms are working in collaboration to determine the costs, risks and feasibility of establishing a 6000 tonne per year regional organic feed milling and raw material sourcing operation in the Peterborough area. A regional feed processing facility could provide cost and risk reduction and performance benefits for organic livestock producers in the region. In addition, the presence of a local organic feed mill would encourage the growth and development of organic grains and protein production.
   
• The Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency is creating a price predictability tool for the Ontario sheep industry - from producers to retailers. This resource will provide decision-making information in light of significant increases in price volatility within Ontario's sheep sector, and will act as a market risk mitigation tool. This web-based tool will provide producers, processors and retailers with a forecast of lamb prices and will enable them to make better business and marketing decisions.
   

The AAC encourages organizations and collaborations to continue to access funding through GF2 for Capacity Building, through strategic planning, training, audits or assessments; and, Project Implementation, for projects that focus on the environment and climate change, animal and plant health, market development, labour productivity enhancement, assurance systems, and business and leadership development.

"The AAC staff is committed to working with applicants to move their ideas into funding realities," says MacPhail. "From the application process through to project completion, AAC staff are there to provide knowledgeable support and direction."