Ontario cultivating agri-food sector

TORONTO — The Ontario government is providing more than $6 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to 17 agri-food projects in Northern Ontario. This investment aims to create jobs, expand business operations, improve crop yields and stimulate economic development and diversification across the north.

Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, made the announcement today at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

“Agriculture producers and food processors are increasingly looking to Northern Ontario as a region of opportunity and fertility,” said Minister Rickford. “Today’s investment demonstrates our government’s commitment to growing and developing the northern agri-food sector.”

The following projects are receiving NOHFC funding:

• $1 million for Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance to administer a tile drainage installation project within the districts of Timiskaming and Cochrane, benefitting a consortium of 17 producers
• $979,175 for Northeast Community Network to administer a tile drainage installation project within the District of Cochrane, benefitting a consortium of seven producers
• $972,600 for West Nipissing East Sudbury Agricultural Support Projects Inc. to administer a tile drainage installation project within the districts of Parry Sound, Nipissing, Timiskaming, Cochrane and Sudbury, benefitting a consortium of 17 producers
• $606,000 for West Nipissing East Sudbury Agricultural Support Projects Inc. to administer a tile drainage installation project within the districts of Parry Sound, Nipissing, Timiskaming, Cochrane and Sudbury, benefitting a consortium of 13 producers
• $535,989 for Claybrook Holsteins Inc. – a dairy farm in Thornloe – to build a barn, renovate an existing barn and purchase equipment
• $309,086 for Sutom Holsteins Inc. – a dairy farm in Englehart – to renovate a barn and purchase equipment
• $299,192 for Aniko Pasta Artigianale – a producer of handmade artisanal pasta in Sudbury – to renovate its facility and purchase equipment
• $200,000 for Peter Struyk to establish a grain drying and storage business in Cochrane, as well as $59,139 to update the facility and purchase equipment
• $143,392 for Ferme Léveillé Et Fils Ltd. – a dairy farm in Earlton – to purchase equipment and build a barn and manure room
• $110,000 for JLT Enterprises to establish a grain handling, conditioning and shipping facility in Desbarats
• $51,923 for The Honey Suite – a produce farm in Mattawa – to build a greenhouse and purchase equipment
• $8,190 for Boreal Naturals Inc. – an organic berries business in Warren – to purchase equipment

“The agri-food sector is and always will be a cornerstone of this province’s economy,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Investment in this sector will contribute to further economic development and build food security in Northern Ontario.”