Growing Future Opportunities Initiative

Overview

Funding status As of September 23, 2024

Commodity
(Status)
Funding allocated
Wine grape
(Open)
83%
Apples
(Closed)
100%
Tender fruit and table grapes
(Open)
81%

Waitlist

After funding for a commodity has been fully allocated, Agricorp will continue to accept applications for a waitlist, and we will notify you if you are added to the waitlist. Customers on the waitlist will be assessed for eligibility in the order they apply. Agricorp will contact you directly if you’re moved off the waitlist and let you know what the next steps are.

About the initiative

The Canadian and Ontario governments have announced funding of up to $8 million over 3 years for apple, tender fruit, table grape, and wine grape growers.

The funding is intended to help growers plant varieties of produce that will improve quality, production, and marketability.

These improvements will help achieve:

  • Better alignment with changing consumer preferences
  • Increased yields
  • Improved cold hardiness
  • Improved resistance to pests and diseases
  • Improved labour efficiency

The funding is available through the Growing Future Opportunities Initiative, under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.


Apple, tender fruit, and table grape growers
Wine grape growers
Eligibility
  • Growers can receive 75% of eligible costs up to $50,000 to replace existing varieties with different varieties of tender fruit trees, apple trees, or table grapes.
  • The trees and vines being replaced must have been in commercial production within the last 3 years.
  • Growers need to replant in the same location they removed the trees and vines from.
  • If application is approved, eligible costs are incurred starting on October 30, 2023.

Growers can receive 75% of eligible costs up to $50,000 to replace existing wine grape vines with one of the following approved varieties:

  • Cabernet Franc
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Chardonnay
  • Gamay Noir
  • Merlot
  • Pinot Gris
  • Pinot Noir
  • Sauvignon Blanc

The vines being replaced must have been in commercial production within the last 3 years.

Growers need to replant in the same block or row that the vines were removed from.

If application is approved, eligible costs are incurred starting on April 4, 2024.

Note: eligible applicants can receive a maximum of $50,000 in total funding for all commodity categories (wine grapes, apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, cherries, and table grapes).
Applications and guidelines

Read the initiative guidelines and applicable Schedule before completing your application form.

​Read the initiative guidelines and applicable Schedule before completing your application form

Date intake period

10:00am on November 20, 2023

This date and time are subject to change. Check this page for updates the week of November 6.

​10:00am on April 15, 2024
How to apply
  1. Download the application form from the link above.
  2. Save it to your computer.
  3. Email your completed application form to [email protected] or fax it to 519-826-4118 when the intake opens.

Agricorp will contact all applicants to confirm their eligibility once the intake period has closed. Applications will be reviewed on a first come first serve basis.

Do not submit your application early. Applications submitted before 10:00am on November 20 will need to be resubmitted when intake is open.

We encourage you to complete your application form in advance of the intake period opening so you are ready to go.

  1. Download the application form from the link above.
  2. Save it to your computer.
  3. Email your completed application form to [email protected] or fax it to
    519-826-4118 when the intake opens.

Agricorp will contact all applicants to confirm their eligibility once the intake period has closed. Applications will be reviewed on a first come first serve basis.

Do not submit your application early. Applications submitted before 10:00am on April 15 will need to be resubmitted when intake is open.

We encourage you to complete your application form in advance of the intake period opening so you are ready to go.






Ontario - Agricorp