Guelph, ON - In a move that exemplifies Canada’s commitment to developing new and emerging opportunities for agriculture and the agri-food sector, the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) announces the approval of eighteen new projects under its CanAdvance Program. Administered by the AAC’s Board of Directors, the program has awarded a total of $1,436,216 for the eighteen projects, to explore a variety of ‘new horizons’ for groups and individuals from Canada’s agri-food industry. The approved projects range from developing business plans for various elements of the agri-food sector to positioning of products for new markets to educating producers about emerging diseases.

The CanAdvance program continues building on the need to recognize innovation from within the agriculture and agri-food sector, particularly on value-added initiatives that can improve sustainability and competitiveness. Funding for the CanAdvance program is provided through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) five year, $240 million Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) Program. This funding allows the agriculture and agri-food sector to work pro-actively and cooperatively, examining challenges within the sector, and determining innovative solutions to advance the cause of Canadian agriculture and agri-business.

“Thinking outside the box is going to be crucial for CanAdvance projects,” says Bob Bedggood, chair of the AAC. “CanAdvance funds are going to help the industry move forward addressing those issues that are particularly important. New ways to clean dairy tanks with ozonated water, for instance, will help the dairy industry with an opportunity to recycle the amount of wash-water used and improve on-farm efficiency.”

“The Government of Canada is pleased to support innovative, creative projects through the Agricultural Adaptation Council's CanAdvance Program to ensure a strong, viable Canadian agriculture industry,” said Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Andy Mitchell.

In addition to improving value-added projects for Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food industry, the CanAdvance program will enhance the rural economy and help diversify the industry.

Projects approved through the CanAdvance program should include fair cost sharing, with in-kind contributions considered for non-profit organizations, only. Applicants are encouraged to enlist the help of industry stakeholders where possible, making the most of existing and available resources and skill sets. Project applications will be reviewed by the AAC Board within six to eight weeks of submission, thus providing a quick turn-around for all applicants.

The AAC is a non-profit, grass-roots coalition of 62 agricultural, agribusiness and rural organizations dedicated to providing financial resources to assist Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food industry remain profitable, grow and maintain its economic strength. The AAC receives the funding for the CanAdvance program through Ontario’s share of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s five year, $240 million Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) program.

BACKGROUNDER

Project Applicants & Description

Atwood Pet Food Ltd.
Funding to develop a business plan addressing issues facing the deadstock industry.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $27,000
Total Project Costs: $30,000

Central By Products Ltd.
Funding to create a business plan to increase collaboration in the industry.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $12,000
Total Project Costs: $24,000

CanEVA Health Corporation
Funding to expand the market for velvet antler products across Western Ontario’s consumer and pet market.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $126,366
Total Project Costs: $252,732

Ontario Soybean Growers
Funding to educate soybean producers in the province on the biology, identification and management of Asian soybean rust.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $104,000
Total Project Costs: $185,000

Pride Pak Canada Ltd.
Funding the launch of an entirely new product (Fruit ‘n’ Walnut Salad); this project will benefit Ontario’s apple industry and provide a nutritious product to consumers across Ontario.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $255,375
Total Project Costs: $510,750

Noblewood Transport Ltd.
Funding research to determine the effectiveness of ozonated water in cleaning dairy milk truck tanks; with the potential to recycle up to 85 percent of wash water.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $65,000
Total Project Costs: $165,000

Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)
Collective Outcome Project
Funding to continue building on discoveries made in previous studies showing that delivery of needle-free vaccines and therapeutics to livestock is feasible and has advantages over other conventional delivery systems.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $91,020
Total Project Costs: $1,200,000

Durham Region Farm Fresh Marketing Association
Funding to develop alliances and identify foodservice stakeholders that would benefit from using locally grown produce and products, as well as identify market-ready produce and gourmet food products produced in Durham Region.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $26,750
Total Project Costs: $38,900

University of Guelph
To develop seminars and a training program for agricultural leaders that addresses leadership training related to policy issues, decision-making and communications.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $51,700
Total Project Costs: $96,000

Wellington Fibres
To build a fibre mill in Elora that has the capacity to process about 30 pounds of fibre per day. The goal is to provide a cost effect facility to process fibre and to hold educational seminars and workshops.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $45,000 loan / $5,000 grant
Total Project Costs: $194,550

Ontario Dairy Herd Improvement
Through practicing veterinarians 80 dairy herds will be selected to complete testing for Johne’s Disease (JD) through milk samples. Once results are available OMAF veterinarians will access the farm and suggest changes to reduce JD - they will complete a risk assessment form, and provide feedback on best management practices.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $48,000
Total Project Costs: $124,800

Ontario Berry Growers’ Association
To develop a coordinated marketing strategy that will eventually provide year-round marketing of strawberries from within Ontario, and develop systems so that Ontario strawberry growers can produce for a five-month period from mid-May through the end of October.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $127,010
Total Project Costs: $339,560

Grape Growers of Ontario
This project will support the establishment of domestic processing and a complimentary Concord and Niagara grape marketing initiative focused on grown in Ontario product and the functional food properties of grapes to revitalize the Juice Grape industry.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $50,000
Total Project Costs: $60,000

Ontario Canola Growers Association
To develop management practices for both cabbage seed weevil and swede midge in winter and spring canola, with the incorporation of both insecticide options and agronomic approaches, including biological control, to reduce damage from these pests.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $226,894
Total Project Costs: $453,048 (Collective Outcome)

Kemptville College, University of Guelph
To undergo a communications initiative to enhance coverage of farm and agri-food issues by producing a bilingual, weekly package of between two to five, 300 word articles to be distributed free, to all rural and community media in Ontario.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $56,601.55
Total Project Costs: $75,863

Wine Council of Ontario and Grape Growers of Ontario
To create a new system to coordinate research for Ontario’s grape and wine industry. This project includes an analysis of current practices and standard operating procedures from various regions and sectors around the world, industry surveys, databases and focus groups and consensus based recommendations.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $46,250
Total Project Costs: $181,500

The Oat and Barley Council of Ontario
To increase communication between the production sectors (including plant breeding, seed industry, producers and elevators) and the utilization sectors (processing, ingredient marketing, manufacturing) in order to develop value added chains for oats and barley.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $20,000
Total Project Costs: $25,000

Power Steam Energy Services Incorporated
The purpose of this project is to undertake a detailed assessment of a starch manufacturing plant located in Collingwood, ON to determine whether or not the facility can be utilized for ethanol production.
Total CanAdvance Funding: $52,250
Total Project Costs: $214,075

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For more information contact:

Nadine Buitenhuis, Communications Coordinator
Agricultural Adaptation Council
Phone: 519-822-7554
Fax: 519-822-6248
E-mail: nadine@adaptcouncil.org