The federal and Ontario governments are offering a new $1.5-million program with grants of up to $100,000 for minorities to start farming businesses.
It’s called the new Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative and applications will open Oct. 8 and close Dec. 3.
It is intended to help agricultural producers and food processors who are Indigenous peoples, visible minorities,
2SLGBTQI+ people, persons with disabilities, youth, women or members of French linguistic minority communities.
“Making sure we have greater diversity in the agriculture and agri-food sector helps to create a more competitive, inclusive, and resilient food system,” said the federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay.
“This initiative will help folks from under-represented groups get started and succeed, while making the sector even stronger,” he said.
Ontario Agriculture Minister Rob Flack said “a priority of our Grow Ontario Strategy is to unlock the full potential of the entrepreneurial talent of our diverse communities to strengthen our $51 billion agrifood sector.”
“Our government is confident that cultivating new talent in the growing agri-food sector will drive long-term prosperity and innovation while creating good paying agri-food jobs.”
The money is open to applications from organizations, research bodies, municipalities or Indigenous communities. Successful projects will support underrepresented groups in accessing spaces and equipment to grow or process agri-food products, as well as resources to help with financing, the news release said.
