Category Archives: new business

Tips for Winter Greenhouses

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Greenhouses are an important way to grow crops outside of the usual growing season and a great way to increase yields. Canada has a unique climate, and as such special care is required when establishing a greenhouse, large or small that will produce a good return for the owner.

Windows

Light is required to grow any plant, so choose a material that lets lots of light through. A good rule of thumb is a material that allows at least 70% of light through. Insulation performance will drop as transparency increases. It’s important to balance light transmission with the R-value (the thermal resistance) of the material.

Insulation

Many greenhouses are transparent on all sides. A cold climate greenhouse may not be fully transparent because conserving heat is a priority. Winter nights are dark and cold and temperatures need to be managed.

Installing windows on the side facing the sun, allows the other sides and the roof to be insulated. The ground underneath the greenhouse should also be insulated. The heat that collects in the earth during the day, shouldn’t be allowed to just disappear out into the ground. The windows themselves can be insulated with removable shades after dark.

Ventilation

Cold climate greenhouses are designed to provide optimal growing conditions during the winter.  As a result, they can get too hot in the summer. It’s important to install proper ventilation into the greenhouse that provides enough ventilation during those hot summer days.

Thermal Mass

Thermal mass will harvest and store the warmth of the sun during the day and release it back at night to heat the greenhouse. This minimizes temperature fluctuations in the greenhouse and will prevent the temperature from dropping during cold nights.

Common materials can provide thermal mass: water, stone, cob, or even the earth itself. Water can be a risky choice because it can freeze, but it’s also one of the most flexible thermal mass materials because you can easily add or remove containers fo water.

There are two ways to take advantage of thermal mass: heating the air or heating the growing beds. The energy required is lower to heat only the growing beds but can be harder to install or modify.

Active Heating

In addition to thermal mass distributing heat, and the rays of the sun working to heat a greenhouse during the day, on cold days and during the night your greenhouse may require additional heat. Often Wood burning solutions or propane heaters can be good choices, as they are equally easy to install in remote areas.

Cost

Commercial scale greenhouses are not cheap to build. A solar panel system can have a payback time of years. A four-season greenhouse should be similar in terms of payback time.  Long-term production yield will be higher, as the greenhouse allows longer growing season but also a kind of insurance against weather risks.

When you are ready to expand your greenhouse business or start a new agricultural production facility,

Farm Grants can help.

Contact us now to find out more!

Things to Consider When Buying a Farm

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farm-for-sale

When you are considering buying a farm, it’s important to be prepared for some of the hidden challenges that will come up. A lot of things will seem self-evident but here are a few things to consider that may not be:

A good Real-Estate agent will save you time and money

Farm properties are a unique category of real-estate. There are many complex aspects to purchasing a farm that is not involved in the urban real-estate market. Make sure your agent is knowledgeable in farm and rural issues. Getting a good agent in the mix will save you both time and money when you buy a farm.

Availability of local markets

Although you may not sell all of your main production at the local farmer’s market, these types of locations can add a lot of needed cash flow to the small farmer. Having one nearby will allow you to maintain cash flow throughout the year by marketing complimentary items. If you have some crops that appeal directly to end users, you can maximize your margins by selling directly at the market rather than to resellers.

Infrastructure on Property

What sorts of buildings and improvements are on the property? How many of them are useful to you in your farm business plan? Is there infrastructure or buildings that can be adapted to your needs if they don’t already match them currently? If the farm comes with equipment or a stockpile of resources like hay or firewood you may be able to use them to increase your returns.

History of the land and site evaluation

What sorts of crops or livestock were raised on the property previously? Are there any parts of the property that have had different purposes in the past? The current owners may provide information, but consulting with the neighbors may also yield valuable insights about the farm you are buying.

Tax status & zoning

What will your property taxes be? If the land is zoned as farming, you will have to keep it in production in order to keep the lower farm tax rate. If it’s not zoned for farming, you will have to inquire with the local zoning authority how to get the proper zoning approved.

Soil tests

Comprehensive soil tests and profiling will help you prepare for the best crop choices for your new farm. If you are interested in organic production, it would be wise to test your soil for residues and other heavy metals that may inhibit your ability to grow organically. This can be expensive but worth the investment.

Access to Water

If you plan on buying a farm, this is by far the most important resource to consider before you buy a farm. Water rights law is very complex and making sure you understand your rights and usage is extremely critical.  Know if your rights are currently valid and active. What are the water sources on the property?  It is also important to know what year your rights date back to. Senior water rights always get water first. Do you have ponds, creeks, or wells that you are legally able to irrigate from?  What is the drinking water source? If from a well, test your water for metals and other contaminants.

A little bit of planning while you are looking for your new farm property can save big headaches in the long-run. If you are starting or buying a farm, Farm Grants can help you locate the funding to get your farm business going.

Start or expand your farming business now: Farm Grants can help.

Find Funding Now!

5 Important Tips for New Farmers

farm business, Farm Equipment, Farm Grants, Farm Start-Ups, new business

Be Practical

Some farmers become too focused on their ideologies. New farmers, particularly those in urban areas  and farmers using sustainable techniques , may focus all their energy on big world issues — environmental, economic or political. A global focus may cause them to miss small opportunities in front of them. They may get discouraged that their local actions are not having enough of a global impact.
These ideologies can also keep small farmers from working with others who may have a different point of view or approach. The established farmers and support network are critical supports for a new farmer getting an operation started.

Sell Direct to Build Capacity

Seek out the path of least resistance. Visit the local farmers’ markets to sell your produce as you get the hang of what you can grow and sell. You will grow your customer base and learn what they want to buy. By having a direct relationship with end consumers you will get valuable feedback and also not become overcommitted to large orders you may initially have difficulties filling.

Have the Right Equipment

Some farmers may not have the right equipment to get started.

Although bootstrapping can work well for hobby operations,  farming on a a commercially viable scale requires capital. A huge sum is  not needed to start a small farm, but farmers starting out will require basic equipment: a tractor, a seeder, walk-in cooler and perhaps other small machinery. Cheap solutions like trying to spread seed by hand, or trying to use consumer refrigerators can end in problems. The right equipment can make all the difference.

Focus on One Thing at a Time

Some small farmers try to take on too many things right from the beginning. New farmers need to  focus on one or two things until they become successful. As in any business, trying to take on too much can be the mistake holding a beginning farmer back from every getting the ball rolling.

Treat Farming as a Business

The single most important factor in farming success is to approach farming as an actual business. Many farmers have big and noble ambitions, but you need to pay attention to the bottom line if you want the farm to succeed and grow over a long period of time.

If you are ready to start or expand your farm, the Canadian Grants Business Center can help you find funding. Use our funding finder tool:

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

Or call us Toll-free at:

1-888-231-0075

Is Buying Farmland a Good Investment?

Farm Grants, Farm Loans, Farm Planning, Farm Start-Ups, new business, , , , , ,

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

5 Most Profitable Agriculture Businesses

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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!

Farming is the Future of Canada

Farm Planning, Farm Start-Ups, new business, ,

Farming is the Future of Canada

Agriculture is a diverse and exciting industry. The variety of farms and the people who live on them create the fabric of food production. Will this still be the case in the future?

Canadian Urbanization will have an impact on our farming processes. Every civilization is built on the production of food and the world’s best soil dies under our cities. By 2020, 80 percent of the global population will live in urban areas within 60 kilometers off a shore. This is Canada’s profile as well with over 70 percent of our population living in a port-side city. The continuous food going in is one issue but the waste coming out also pressures surrounding agricultural land.farm

Agricultural enterprises by nature are often stand-alone independent units but this too is changing and we will continue to see alliances and partnerships, especially when value adding is present. To truly establish markets, producers will be seeking out end-users that align with their value systems. Younger farmers today are hungry for information that adds value to their product and are well informed and very comfortable with these types of agreements.

Rural communities will change and prosper depending on their access to technology. We are starting to see some very interesting farm operations and vibrant small-town economies based on technology hubs and layering of partnerships. With the access to information and the ability to communicate globally, there are no restrictions on the opportunity. Lately, this has been expressed in the resurgence of interest in small family farms. Small is big again and young couples are flocking to the farm armed with their education, cell phones, cloud technology and business plans.

Many of these new farmers are women. In Canada, 30 percent of farms and ranches are owned and operated by women (40 per cent in British Columbia) and continued growth of this trend may change the face of farming in many ways, but one which stands out is closer ties with the consumer. Women will lead this change from commoditization and price taking to price alignment with quality. Look for encouragement in areas of research such as nutrient density.

There is room for every farmer and that is what makes this industry tick. We will continue to honor past traditions like ranching but it will be data based on genomics, performance data, nutrient quality and alignment with the end-user. The horse and rider may be replaced or assisted by a drone with UHF real-time communication.

Technology and science will be the drivers to enhance our social license and entice consumers to our food.pigs The industry will continue to find ways to draw folks to the counter with apps, this technology is enabling for all farms and all buyers and sellers regardless of size or volume.

We will always need the feed yard and the large landholder. Intensive farming reduces agriculture’s overall footprint and allows for an increase in set-aside lands such as grasslands and forages that are huge carbon sequesters. Manure will once again be gold and further technologies in its use will emerge.
So close to the action, data junkies and living with FOMO (the fear of missing out), the main buyer of food in this age needs constant proof and reassurance. In fairness, this is what companies such as Earls understand. To ask for certification is that piece of assurance that market research tells the restaurant that the consumer asked for or needs to feel secure. Remember, the food service guest is making a decision based on their core values and beliefs which are formed by the environment in which they live and the information that they have.

A new area of information that is important to note is animal welfare and the interrelationship with human rights and welfare. These are massive targets for consumers and now carry the same weight as the discussion on GMO. These men and women want a food experience and are willing to take the time to ask about what they are eating, how it was raised and how the folks were treated in the process. This is our new reality and an opportunity for system-wide improvements.

A cell phone, a huge list of connections, a great business plan, a mentor and reams of data will enhance future farming. Jobs will continue to increase in the agricultural sector and in 2020 the estimate is that we will need another 122,000 persons to fill the vacancies. The $50 billion that will transfer over in agriculture within the next two decades will go to the brightest and best in production and marketing. They will have a “feel” for the end-user and in many cases a direct dialogue with them. Access to market or to further value adding will be the ultimate objective on the farm. Like the millennial buyer, the millennial farmer won’t be force-fed or have any tolerance for poor connections or relationships. They will change up or move on.

Past, present and future, we all carry the responsibility of growing food — the most honorable task on earth — for today and tomorrow.

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?

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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.

 

5 On-Farm Extra Income Ideas

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Being a successful farmer can mean wearing many hats. One of the most important ideas in any business is the concept of diversification. As a farm owner or operator, this may often mean planting more than 1 crop, or operating a mixed farm. This is not the only was for a farmer to diversify, however. Sometimes a little outside the box thinking can result in a lucrative second income stream even for farms that aren’t very diversified. Why not consider using the resources at your disposal to accomplish this goal.

Here are 5 On-Farm extra income ideas:

Farm Tours

You know what people from the city love? To visit the country. Why not offer school children or members of the urban population the chance to spend the day at a farm? There are all sorts of  things worth paying for: You can sell feed fro children to give to the animals, hay rides, meals, snacks and drinks, trail walks, and many other things.

Compost Waste Disposal

With the increasing importance of waste reduction in urban and suburban areas, why not offer a composting service? For a fee you can allow landscapers to dispose of grass cutting and other organic waste on your land. This can then be composted, and then used as a valuable tool on your farm, or resold back to individuals in need of compost.

Pick Your Own Produce

Why not allow the public to access a part of your crop and pick their own for a fee? This is a popular option for berries, apples, and other fruits.

Bed and Breakfast

That old farm house offers a rustic retreat for people from their busy lives.  Many people are willing to pay top dollar for the chance to get way from it all and have a night or two in a rural setting.

Petting Zoo

The animals on your farm can be the source of income and amusement for visitors, or alternatively take the show on the road and offer a petting zoo at local events and shopping areas.

These are just some ideas for Farmers looking to maximize their on-farm income. If you are looking to expand your farm operations, or establish an on or off farm business Canadian Grants Business Center can help you find funding for your endeavour. Visit our Funding Finder today: http://www.canadiangrantsbusinesscenter.com/funding-finder.html