Tag Archives: 2017 Farm Grants

Greenhouse and Vertical Farming Systems

Farm Technology, Grants for Farm Improvements, Greenhouse, Vertical Farming, , , , ,

Canada is a country with plenty of space to grow food on farms. There is one major hurdle to ultimate farming productivity common to all of Canada’s farms: the unpredictable weather and low temperatures we have for almost half the year during winter.

The solution to this age old problem may be in a combination of traditional greenhouse knowledge and cutting edge vertical farming technology.

Indoor growing of high yield crops like leafy greens, tomatoes, and peppers has long been a way to increase yields per acre by extending the growing season well into the normally unproductive winter months.

In addition to the extended growing season, there are other notable yield increasing factors at play when talking about greenhouse based indoor growing. Pest and disease control are more straightforward, as access to external pathogens and organisms can be limited much more extensively than in an open field. As a result, greenhouse crops often do not require chemical pesticides or herbicides and are less likely to fail from fungal or bacterial illness.

Another major productivity boost can be seen in modern greenhouses and other indoor growing spaces. Vertical farming tools and techniques can increase crop yields per sq ft of indoor space many times over.  There are varying degrees of complexity and automation possible for vertical farming setups.  At it’s simplest, Vertical Farming is the practice of producing food in vertically stacked layers, or on vertically inclined surfaces. Conventional agriculture focuses on 1 layer of plants growing across a wide area, Vertical farming techniques plant upwards as well. Some systems can consist of racks or shelves containing plants that are many units high.

Vertical farming techniques and equipment can translate into a big productivity booster for existing greenhouse owners.  These techniques can also make non-conventional farming locations such as urban areas viable for commercial scale food production. When you are ready to expand your greenhouse business or start a new agricultural production facility,

The Canadian Grants Business Center can help.

Contact us now to find out more!

Farm Equipment: Winter 2017

Farm Equipment, Farm Grants, Farm Planning, Grants for Farm Improvements, , , ,

Many people think that farming is a 3 season activity in Canada. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

The winter months can be among your most productive as a farmer. Whether you spend your time tending to livestock or networking with other farmers there is never a better time than now to plan for the coming season and accomplish the prep and planning tasks that successful farmers know are so important.

The winter is a perfect time to look forward to the coming season and ensure that farm equipment meets the project requirements and is in good working order.

It’s important to properly store of equipment. Rust is the enemy of metal equipment. If metal equipment is left outside, it will rust and deteriorate faster than if it is kept inside,  and out of the elements. If inside storage space is not available on your farm, use heavy-duty tarps to cover farm equipment when not in use.

In the winter inspect your equipment well. Worn parts need to be replaced and make any needed adjustments. Make sure your equipment is clean and dry, especially moving parts.  Remember if you use a pressure washer to keep water away from sealed bearings. After drying, lubricate moving parts and protect it from the elements. Treat any bare metal on all farm equipment with grease or use rust-preventive solvent spray. If you can keep moisture away from bearings and unpainted critical steel parts, this will help prevent rust.

A shop built for farm equipment will pay off in the long run. If you are building or expanding a shop, consider the size of all your equipment and the area inside to perform your maintenance tasks. Consider space for storage shelves and enough room around the equipment to perform maintenance and repair.

Some off-season effort can lead to much better productivity in the growing season.

If you are ready to consider acquiring new equipment or investing in a farm shop, the Canadian Grants Business Center can help. Find funding at:

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

 

 

Farm Grants for Organic Farming

Farm Grants, Farm Loans, Farm Planning, Organic Farming, , , , , , , ,

Organic crops are produced without synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides or fungicides on land that has been free of these chemicals for at least 3 years. Animal products fed organic grains and forage, synthetic hormones, antibiotics, and drugs can be considered organic.

In order to be considered organic, a producer must be certified by the appropriate certification body in keeping with the Canada Organic Regime.

Land Transition Requirements:

In order to use land fro organic crops, the land must be tended for 36 months with no prohibited inputs (fertilizer, herbicide, etc) before organic status.

Under the Canadian system, new applicants who wish to market organic field crops must apply for certification 15 months prior to the expected marketing date. Existing clients wishing to add new land to their certification must ensure that the land is managed according to the Canadian regulations for at least 12 months prior to certification. The European Equivalency Agreement which came into effect July 2011 now recognizes as organic any product certified under the Canadian system.

Livestock Transition Requirements:

There is a one-year transition for livestock to become organic breeding stock. Breeding stock cannot be sold for organic slaughter. Offspring from organic breeding stock is eligible for organic slaughter. If conventional or transitional livestock are managed organically from the start of their third trimester of gestation, then the offspring is eligible for organic slaughter.

Dairy cattle have a one year transition before the milk produced is eligible for organic status. Poultry must be under organic management beginning no later than the second day of life.

Organic certification can be a great way to drive revenue growth on a new or existing farm.

If you are ready to consider becoming an organic certified producer, the Canadian Grants Business Center can help find funding. Find funding at:

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

Looking ahead to the new year: Farm Funding

farm business, Farm Planning, , , ,

As we have just started a new year, we are at an important crossroads for government farm grants and funding programs.

This is the time of year when many people focus on the holidays and make time for family. It’s also the best time to bring yourself up to speed on the funding opportunities for your new or existing farm:  Take advantage of the 2016 programs before they expire, and get the latest info for upcoming 2017 programs.

You can check funding availability now:

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

Or call us directly to speak to a specialist at 1-888-231-0075

Don’t miss out on what could be your best funding opportunity of the year.