2017 is here and so is the chance for farmers to get in on many cost-sharing opportunities.
The Growing Forward 2 initiative covers six various components, covering everything from broad programs like succession planning, to more niche things like species at risk.
Growing Forward 2 Program Manager John Laidlaw points out for farmers to get involved in upcoming programs, they have to make sure they've attended a course, such as a Growing Your Farm Profits or Environmental Farm Plan Workshop, and done it in the not-so-distant past.
"You have to get [courses] updated. They have to be current in the last five years, that's important to remember. Some producers say 'yes, they've taken it,' but if it's more than five years old they have to renew it," says Laidlaw.
"So the first thing you do is get into the workshop, and then you can enroll into the program and apply for cost share -- depending on what your cost share is."
Laidlaw adds some programs are regional while others come and go throughout the year, so it's important producers check the OSCIA's website regularly.
He also notes there are other cost-share programs for processors and organizations.
Information for all these federal-provincial programs can be found at www.agr.gc.ca/GrowingForward2.
