On a recent trip to Canada to visit the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), we learned about some interesting initiatives the group has developed to support its farmer members.

GFO is a farm commodity organisation covering some 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soya bean and wheat farmers in the southern province of Ontario in Canada.

Among the activities the group carries funds, one programme caught out attention: the Grain Innovation Fund.

The fund aims to support new and expanded markets for Ontario barley, corn, oats, soybeans, and wheat. The fund is in its 11th year and provides grant aid to companies to increase their use of Ontario grains and oilseeds in their business and provide benefits to the group’s members.

Funding

Projects that satisfy the eligibility criteria for the Grains Innovation Fund can receive up to 60% of the cost of the project, up to a maximum of CAD$50,000 (€30,600).

Successful projects must open new markets for Ontario grains, expand the use and demand for Ontario grains, promote Ontario grains as the best choice, identity preserve varieties for novel uses, and/or increase the value (premiums) or Ontario grains.

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