Farmers Digest
Being an Organic Farmer myself, I know the importance of keeping up with the latest news.
I hope these links will be of interest to you too.
Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World
Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario
Interesting articles from the
Ontario Ministry of Agricultural,
Food and Rural Affairs:
Introduction to Organic Farming: Click here
Starting an Organic Farm: Click here
Organic Food and Farming Certification: Click here
Growing Non-traditional Crops in Ontario: Click here
Transition to Organic Crop Production: Click here
Farm Succession Planning Steps and Checklist: Click here
Lease Agreements: Crop Share Leases: Click here
Lease Agreements - Land Leases: Click here
Lease Agreements - Pasture Leases: Click here
Lease Agreements - Flexible Cash Leases: Click here
Agricultural Business Management
From capital investment decisions to managing your staff, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Ministry of Rural Affairs Business Management Unit provides you with the tools you need to make informed business decisions. Search our site for information on programs to help you manage your business, production and marketing information, farm business diversification, business decision making tools, workshops and events, e-learning, newsletters and updates, and resouces and services. Click here
Agricultural Information Contact Centre: Click here
Financial Assistance for Ontario's Rural Communities and Agri-food Sector: Click here
Organic Agriculture: Click here
Management of Organic Soils: Click here
Informative Articles from Other Sources
Guide to Farmland Access Agreements
The purpose of this guide is to explain the different types of farmland access agreements and to provide samples. It focuses on two general categories of agreements: long-term agreements (10 years or more) and short, trial period agreements. It further covers which agreement(s) may be best suited to a particular situation; the implications of each agreement for farm classification and what questions to ask, and of whom for each agreement. Additional information is provided on topics such as taxation, financing, and account for equity.
Organization: Community Farms Program
Finding, Assessing and Securing Farmland Guide
This guide is written for beginning farmers who are looking for land to start a farm business and will provide information on the process of locating and securing farmland for a farm business. Topics covered include steps in locating land, business planning, tenure arrangements, soil assessment, glossary of commonly used terms and more.
Organization: New Entry Sustainable Farm Project
Best Time to Buy or Lease Farmland
Fact sheet on the considerations of deciding on the best time to buy farmland and when to consider leasing. Includes some points of fair rental rates and links to the Land Purchase Planner too that estimates land values based on gross revenue and estimated land rental rates as well as the Land Rental Planner tool that estimates land rental values based on Gross revenue, margins over operating costs, investment return of land value, and crop share arrangements.
Organization: Government of Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
FarmOrganizer™ provides a simple, comprehensive way to understand all farm business activities with a wide range of woksheets available to capture all components of your business.
Organization: FarmOrganizer™
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
This website contains information about economic forecasts and statistics, policies and acts, programs and initiatives, as well as information for producers on organic production, with industry and census information.
Organization: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Farm Property Class Tax Program
This program allows eligible properties to be taxed at the Farm Property Class tax rate of 25% of the municipal residential tax rate. To be eligible for the program participants must be part of a farm business with $7,000, or more, gross farm income and have a valid Farm Business Registration (FBR) number.
Organization: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
Canadian Association of Farm Advisors
The Canadian Association of Farm Advisors is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to assisting farm businesses by increasing the skills and knowledge of farm advisors. Advisors listings for Ontario, BC, Alberts, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Organization: Canadian Association of Farm Advisors
Ontario Farm Business Advisors
A list of farm business advisors in Ontario that can help Ontario producers undertake a farm audit or assessment.
Organization: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
The Ontario Co-operative Association
The Ontario Co-operative Association Inc. (On Co-op™) is the trade association and capacity-building organization that develops, educated and advocates for Ontario's 1,300 co-operative businesses. Members are provided with programs, resources and networks to support their organizations and facilitate growth and opportunity. Great documents available for download.
Organization: The Ontario Co-operative Association
Local Organic Food Co-ops Network (LOFC)
Local Organic Food Co-ops Network bring together food and farming co-ops working towards a co-operative and sustainable food system by strengthening the food co-op movement in Ontario. Members of the LOFC get the genefit of access to tools, resources and activities to strengthen their co-ops while building a community of co-operatives.
Organization: Local Organic Food Co-ops Network (LOFC)
Top Ten Tips for your Organic Inspection
A succinct document outlining the top ten tips to consider before your certification inspection.
Organization: Pivot and Grow
Pivot and Grow is a program of the Praitie Organic Grain Initiative with excellent resources on organic advantage, what to expect in certification, overview of the process and standards, plan development and case studies.
Organization: Prairie Organic Grain Initiative
Financial Management Resources
Financial management information that pertains to agriculture in Ontario. Information on financial anyalysis, finance, sources of financing.
Organization: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
Farm Credit Canada is Canada's leading agriculture lender, providing flexible, competitively priced financing, management software, information and knowledge specifically designed for the agriculture and agri-food industry. Tools, resources and business support are also available.
Organization: Farm Credit Canada
