Category Archives: Farm Grants

Is Buying Farmland a Good Investment?

Buying farmland can be a great investment opportunity for Canadians. There are many factors that make this true here a few of the basic ones:

  • Farmland will always be worth something. Regardless of the fluctuations in the stock market or residential real estate, farmland will always retain some value because it is required for the most basic of human needs: food production.
  • The supply of farmland is always decreasing as pressure from increasing populations lead to urban sprawl. Things go up in value when supply goes down.
  • Farmland can be used to create real value for the owner either in the production of food or can generate income when rented to another farmer.

Increasing populations in North America create an increase in demand for food, but no new farmland is being made. In some areas of North America, land prices per acre doubled in less than 3 years. Canadian farmland is uniquely positioned to increase in value even more as climate change disrupts weather patterns and US producers are marginalized.

So it is clear that buying farmland can function both as a resource for your farm, but also an investment that will appreciate in value for years to come.

If you are ready to consider purchasing farmland to start or grow a farm, the Canadian Grants Business Center can help. Find funding at:

http://www.canadiangrantsbusinesscenter.com/Funding-Finder.html

Or call us Toll-free at:

1-888-231-0075

Women Farmers of Canada

over one-quarter (27.5%) of Canadian farmers are women
Over one-quarter of Canadian farmers are women.

Canada is the fifth largest agricultural exporter in the world and over one-quarter (27.5%) of Canadian farmers are women. Women are an important part of the workforce in Canada, and an increasingly important part of the Agricultural production of our country.

Across Canada farmers — a majority of whom are men — are getting older. The next generation of farmers is slowly taking over. We have seen a major increase in the number of women taking over family farms, and entering the field as new farmers.

Women can face unique challenges as a working farmer. Finding a balance between a farm career and family goals can be hard. The lack of female role models and rural child care can limit networking opportunities and career growth. Commodity boards and the agribusiness industry are staffed more often by men, and this can create an atmosphere of a “boys club”.

Having women in decision-making positions could have an impact beyond gender equity. Women want more information before making decisions and might take fewer risks in stressful situations. In a farm with partner operators and more collaborative decision-making, there’s  more opportunity for balancing year-to-year yields rather than extreme highs and lows based on the risks that male operators are taking. This can be a great thing for the viability and long-term sustainability of a farm.

An open minded approach and support for women in farming will be good for the Canadian Farming sector and the Country as a whole.

If you are a woman farmer or a woman looking to start or buy a farm, Canadian Grants Business Center can help. Find funding at:

http://www.canadiangrantsbusinesscenter.com/Funding-Finder.html

Or call us Toll-free at:

1-888-231-0075

New or Used Farm Equipment: Which is Better?

The trade-offs of new versus used farming equipment remain a hot topic for many in the farming community. What everyone can agree upon, however, is that in order to succeed in the business of farming, you need to have access to the right equipment, and it needs to get the job done in a reliable and predictable way.farm_equipment_grants

Here are a few reasons to considering purchasing new vs used equipment for your farm:

 

Reasons to buy New Equipment:

There are many reasons that you should consider buying new equipment. Some  reasons to buy new include:

  1. If you plan to keep the equipment for a long time: new equipment may offer a longer lifespan.
  2. If you plan to trade in yearly: Some operations need the latest technology. Buy buying new, you can make sure you are running the latest technology, and when something better comes along, your equipment will retain value to act as a trade-in.
  3. Less likelihood of a breakdown – In most cases, new equipment is more reliable than used equipment. When it does break, you can count on warranty service to get you back up and running quickly, and on budget.

Reasons to Buy Used Equipment:

When buying new isn’t the right choice, buying used can fit the bill.

  1. Lower up-front cost – You can take advantage of the great deals on almost new equipment that other farmers traded in. Sometimes you can buy almost new equipment that is at a better price.
  2. Used equipment has wiggle room – Used equipment prices are more flexible. Negotiation can make a good deal great.
  3. Good for back-up machines – Having a second piece of equipment to take over in case your main equipment breaks can be invaluable. This also can alow an increase in production during crunch times.

Whatever you decide: Buying new or used equipment will be a key to your on-farm success. Start or expand your farming business now: the Canadian Grants Business Center can help.

Contact us Toll-Free at 1-888-231-0075 or Contact us now to find out more!

5 Most Profitable Agriculture Businesses

Fall, 2016

The agriculture industry will be the next big boom in north America. Food production over the next 10 years will double according to industry analysts. Domestic and export demand is growing and to meet these needs, many entrepreneurs are moving to this industry. To earn income for the agriculture business, will require you to select the right niche to start or expand your farm.

Here are 5 of the top agriculture business:

  • Organic Fertilization Production: Organic fertilizer production is booming. Everywhere you go people want organic. With a little investment and the proper know-how, you can become a producer of composted organic fertilizer.
  • Dried Flower Industry: This industry is becoming a hugely profitable venture around the world. Producing flowers, is becoming one of the faster growing agriculture trends today. With world-wide strong demand for any type of flowers, the interest in dried flowers has increased exponentially.
  • Organic Fertilization Distribution: Along with production, distribution is one of the most up and coming profitable business venture today with modest capital investment.
  • Organic Green House: Green houses have high growth. Organic green houses have exponential growth due to global demand for organic produce. Entrepreneurs are investing in land for organic farming. A modest investment can have your own organic green house up and running.
  • Poultry: The poultry industry is booming. Technology has allowed this industry evolve completely from previous decades. With new tech, annual egg production is 10% higher than it has ever been annually and the broiler industry production has increased by 20%. With investment entrepreneurs can see large returns.

When you are ready to start or expand your farming business, the Canadian Grants Business Center can help.

Contact us Toll-Free at 1-888-231-0075 or Contact us now to find out more!

Farm Funding: Farm Grants & Farm Loans

Fall 2016

Canadian farm grants and farm loans are just some of the funding programs available to farmers to start, and grow their Canadian farm business. There are also tax credits and subsidies directed towards farm businesses.

In order to maximize your chances of success, it is important to start by asking yourself: Why do I want to be a farmer? If the answer is only to make money, then it may not be the best choice for you. If you want to farm because you plan to combine the lifestyle and business of farming, then it’s time to make a plan for your farming future.

A successful farm plan starts by making realistic projections about your access to the land, equipment, labour and funding required to undertake your project. Once you have decided what crops or livestock will perform well in your area you need to establish a plan that takes into account production and marketing issues.

It is often a good idea to seek professional assistance before you expand or start any new farming project. The Canadian Grants Business Center can provide you assistance in accessing the resources to fund your growing farm business.

When you are ready to start or expand your farming business, the Canadian Grants Business Center can help.

Contact us Toll-Free at 1-888-231-0075 or Contact us now to find out more!

seeding-crops

5 Easy Farm Grants: Government funding for Farms

The agriculture industry is a hot commodity for government investment. These investments usually bring jobs, market stabilization, environmental improvements, and health benefits to consumers. Below are the top 5 Agricultural initiatives you could be doing right now to obtain Government Funding:Two Young Yellow chicks

  • Go Organic: By going organic not only are you making your produce healthier to consume for the average customer you are
    also decreasing any environmental hazards that may come from your product processes. Government agencies love these types of commitments as it’s a positive political position shown to the mass populace. Targeting this area will more likely help with your quest for government funding.
  • Humane Environment for Livestock: Just as the Go Organic craze, is a positive political position for the Government, the Humane Livestock is an area that will most likely help you get government funding while doing what is naturally right for your stock. Improving livestock area’s, feeding them healthier choices, and just finding ways to make the animals lives the best they can be, are all areas that can help in your quest for farm grants.
  • Equipment R&D: Coming up with more efficient ways to do your day to day job is something that the government loves. As if it’s something feasible, they can push as legislation to decrease costs all across similar agricultural markets. If you have a new way to formulate dairy products that are cheaper than current practices, the government will definitely give your business a few looks for investment.
  • Jobs: The labour market is slow at the moment, and any potential areas of job creation are   something the government will likely invest in. If you need employees for strenuous job roles, there maybe are subsidies from the government available to you in terms of government funding.
  • Grain: The grain market is hot right now, if your agriculture business main activity is Grain, there may be government funding for you to put towards harvesting and transportation.

For more information on Government Grants and Loans for Canadian Farmers, you can contact the Canadian Grants Business Center:

Call us at: 1-888-231-0075

Contact us now to find out more!

Drones for Farming

Technology is increasing at a rapid pace throughout the business world. This is as true for Farming as it is in and other industry.

One of the developments of the last few years that has incredible potential is the adoption of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) known commonly as drones by farmers to increase productivity.

To understand how drones can help farmers we must first explore the concept of precision agriculture.

farm tech

Precision agriculture is a farm management concept based on observation, measurement and specific response to small  variability in crops.
Precision agriculture helps to efficiently apply limited resources to gain maximum yield.  The best wat to do this is to minimize variation in crop health within and between fields.

Precision agriculture requires accurate and wide-ranging data to work.

 

The three main types of data required are:

Geotagged Images:

Aerial images taken of fields over time, both visible and multi-spectral over time.

Equipment Performance:

Feedback from sensors  in real-time & performance logs provided by manned and unmanned equipment such as tractors, seeders, spreaders, and combines.

Farm Management Data:

Yield data and input cost data provided by the farm operator.

Drones are an obvious fit within precision agriculture.

farm droneDrones are a  new, low-cost and high-precision way to obtain geo-tagged aerial survey images.

Compared to other aerial survey methods, drones allow for more frequent and precise data collection about the condition of crops.  Aerial data can be used to improve the performance of a farm’s operation in many important ways.

In the case of smaller farms, drones are significantly more cost effective than other forms of aerial photography, including manned flights and satellite imagery.

 

Drones are used to capture  images that can provide a variety of data about the condition of fields, livestock, and crops.

Some of the Information that can be ascertained from drone obtained images include:

  • the height of plants
  • number of plants
  • the health of plants
  • nutrient presence (or lack)
  • Disease
  • weed count
  • biomass estimates (relative)
  • topographical data including patches, hills, and holes.
  • location of livestock
  • movement patterns of livestock

Data from drones can help accomplish farm tasks more easily:

  • replace people in scouting tasks
  • monitor crop health
  • survey/scout fields prior to planting
  • measure nitrogen requirements
  • monitor yields
  • assess drought situations
  • classify trees
  • more uses

The images generated by drones can be fed into an agricultural program  or other software tools to create maps that prescribe specific actions to improve performance.

It’s clear that drones and other technology are becoming must-have tools for Canadian farmers.  As a result, financial investment  that keeps a farm up to date has become a priority.

Many farmers need to look for outside investment to increase technological capacity.

Please contact Canadian Grants Business Center for assistance in obtaining government funding to start or expand your farm business:

Visit : http://www.canadiangrantsbusinesscenter.com

Or call Toll-Free: 1-888-231-0075 for help during the business day.

 

Canadian Farming: The New Gold Rush?

Everyone needs to eat: This is the reason that we will always need farmers. In a world with a constantly increasing population, demand for food will continue to grow. Many countries are already having trouble meeting their existing population’s food demands with domestic production. This economic reality creates a unique opportunity for farmers in countries like Canada that have predictable climates, advanced techman on tractornology, vast amounts of farm land, and an entrepreneurial population.

Canada is already the 5th largest agricultural exporter in the world. 2.2 million Canadians work in the agriculture and agri-food sector, a sector that contributes over $100 billion annually to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP). Canada is the largest exporter of maple syrup, flaxseed, canola, pulses (such as lentils), and durum wheat in the world. There are approximately 4 million beef cattle in Canada. In addition, roughly 26 million pigs are raised in Canada each year, making us the world’s third-largest exporter of pork products.

As a market leader, Canada is uniquely positioned to scale production smoothly in key areas, and to capture an increasingly important share of the global market in agricultural exports. If you are a Canadian farmer or starting a farm, you need to maximize your growth opportunities to take advantage of future market realities.

Many farmers need to look for outside investment to increase capacity and be prepared for the upcoming demand spike.

Please contact Canadian Grants Business Center for assistance in obtaining government funding to start or expand your farm business:

Visit : http://www.canadiangrantsbusinesscenter.com

Or call Toll-Free: 1-888-231-0075 for help during the business day.

 

Government Funding for Farm Cooling Technology

Improved technology expected to expand export markets

July 6th, 2016

One of P.E.I.’s largest vegetable farms has received some government funding to help keep its produce fresh.

veggiesBrookfield Gardens is getting an agricultural business grant from the Federal Government and small business funding from an innovation program, which is jointly funded by Ottawa and the P.E.I. government.

The money will be used to buy new refrigeration equipment which significantly shortens the cooling process for freshly harvested, perishable crops.

The new technology is expected to improve the shelf-life and open new export markets for the farming operation.

Brookfield Gardens also plans to try some new crops.

For more information on funding options for your farm please contact Canadian Grants Business Center at 1-888-231-0075, or e-mail us at http://www.canadiangrantsbusinesscenter.com/contact.html.

New Blueberry Teaching & Research Farm In Quebec

A new blueberry teaching and research farm will be established in Quebec.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have announced the creation of a blueberry teaching and research farm in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec. This location is easily accessable and representative of the blueberry farms in the region.

Funding of $42,600 will be granted through the Programme de développement sectoriel (PDS), a  program implemented by the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the Canada-Quebec Growing Forward 2 agreement.

“With some 30,000 hectares in operation, the blueberry production is second in importance in terms of farm income in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. It is therefore an important economic activity for our region. Today I am proud to announce this project that our government committed to achieve a year ago at the Economic Summit. Allowing the blueberry industry to implement short- and long-term research projects will increase the competitiveness of our regional companies,” says Philippe Couillard, Premier of Quebec and MNA for Roberval.

“This research and teaching project is a great example of an initiative that promotes the agricultural potential of a region in order to benefit producers, processors, consumers and even students. The development and operation of this facility are well aligned with government policy and with the approach set out in the strategic plan for Quebec’s wild blueberry sector,” adds Pierre Paradis, Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

“Canada is the world’s largest producer of wild blueberries. The federal government is proud to support the creation of a blueberry teaching and research farm that will help the sector improve its competitiveness and meet growing consumer demand for safe, high-quality products. Combining teaching and research will have an impact on the transfer of knowledge from producers and the next generation,” says Denis Lemieux, Member of Parliament Chicoutimi – Le Fjord.

For more information on farm grants and information on starting a blueberry farm or other farm, please contact Canadian Grants Business Center Toll Free: 1-888-231-0075