Wilson Loree Award

Wilson Loree Award

Farm Management Canada is seeking to honour individuals or groups with the 2024 Wilson Loree Award. This prestigious award was established over twenty years ago, to honour those that have made an extraordinary contribution to developing and promoting new and positive change in agricultural business management practices and expertise in Canada.

Farm Management Canada encourages the nomination of individuals or groups who:

  • have made significant contributions in the area of farm business management regionally or nationally;
  • have demonstrated innovation in areas such as turning research into practical management tools, adapting best practices from other sectors to agriculture, and finding new ways to deliver training, information and resources to farm managers;
  • have served as a role model and a mentor to colleagues, partners and clients, inspiring them to achieve their full potential;
  • have demonstrated the ability to network and develop partnerships to include others in furthering the shared goals and vision of the agriculture industry

Nominations are required by October 4, 2024. The nominator must be a member of Farm Management Canada. Farm Management Canada Staff and Board members are not eligible for the award. The winner will be revealed during the Agricultural Excellence Conference, November 19-21, 2024 in Abbotsford-Chilliwack, BC. All are welcome to attend.

Click here to download the nomination form.

About the Wilson Loree Award

The Wilson Loree award is named after Wilson Loree who retired as Branch Head of Agriculture Business Management after 27 years with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. A past director and one of the founders of the Canadian Farm Business Management Council (now Farm Management Canada), he has been cited as “an individual who exemplifies innovation, wisdom, and a constant focus on the farm manager and the farm family.”

About Farm Management Canada

With over 30 years’ experience, Farm Management Canada is the only national organization dedicated exclusively to the development and delivery of leading-edge resources, information and tools to support farm business success.

Recipients of the Wilson Loree award to date are:

  • 2023 – Steve Funk, Alberta
  • 2022 – Michele Rogalsky, Manitoba
  • 2023 – Colleen Younie, Prince Edward Island
  • 2020 – Marcel Hacault, Manitoba
  • 2019 – Len Davies, Ontario
  • 2018 – Elaine Froese, Manitoba
  • 2017 – Darrell Wade, Ontario
  • 2016 – Merle Good, Alberta
  • 2015 – Terry Betker, Manitoba
  • 2014 – Peter VanderZaag,Ontario
  • 2013 – Jean-Philippe Perrier, Quebec
  • 2012 – Lyle Staveness, Saskatchewan
  • 2011 – Dr. Larry Martin, Ontario
  • 2010 – Brian Little, Ontario
  • 2009 – George Geldart, British Columbia
  • 2008 – Raymond Levallois, Quebec
  • 2007 – Marcel Couture, agr., Quebec
  • 2006 – Ian Hall, Alberta
  • 2005 – The Team of Farm Management Instructors from the School of Agriculture, University of Manitoba
  • 2004 – Dr. Len Bauer, Alberta
  • 2003 – Fédération des groupes conseils agricoles du Québec

Wilson Loree Award
Farm Management Canada
21 Florence Street, Ottawa ON K2P 0W6
E-mail: info(at)fmc-gac.com

Brigid Rivoire Award for Champions of Agricultural Mental Health

Brigid Rivoire Award for Champions of Agricultural Mental Health

Farm Management Canada is pleased to be part of this wonderful initiative in honour of Brigid Rivoire and in support of farmer mental health.

The Brigid Rivoire Award for Champions of Agricultural Mental Health annually recognizes a specific initiative that has made outstanding contributions in raising awareness, addressing stigma, and supporting mental health for farmers in their local community. This annual award includes a $2,000 donation to a mental health initiative of the recipient’s choice, along with an invitation to attend the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s (CFA) Annual General Meeting in February with all expenses paid.

The award will be given out at the CFA’s Annual General Meeting in Ottawa.

For more details on the award and nomination process visit: www.cfa-fca.ca/programs-and-projects/mentalhealthaward/

Government Funding for Farmers

Government Funding for Farmers

Provincial/Territorial Ministry/Department of Agriculture Cost-Share Funding

BUSINESS SKILLS DEVELOPMENT THROUGH TRAINING OR ADVISORY SERVICES

The following list of opportunities has been prepared by Farm Management Canada as a courtesy to producers and producer groups to find and access cost-sharing funding opportunities related to farm business skills development and advisory support programming through the Provincial/Territorial Ministries and Departments of Agriculture. Updated June 1, 2024.

Please Note: In the event a link becomes broken or you need further information, please contact your provincial agricultural Ministry or Department office. Be aware of eligibility criteria and timelines for processing applications before applying to and/or starting any skills development or advisory service programming. It is not uncommon for skills development opportunities to begin prior to funding approval. In such situations, skills development program administrators may be able to adapt programming and invoicing to meet cost-share funding rules.

Click here to access the PDF version of this listing.

Province/Territory

British Columbia

Business Skills Training /Advisory Services Cost-Share Programs

Business and Market Development
Cost-Share: Various
Maximum Funding: Various
(case by case basis)
More info:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs

Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program
Cost-Share: 75%
Maximum Funding: Up to $7500
More info: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/knowledge-transfer-events

New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program
Cost-Share: Up to 75% for <$10,000 projects, up to 50% for >$10,000 projects
Maximum Funding: Up to $7500 (or $15,000) based on total project estimated costs
More info: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/new-entrant-farm-business-accelerator-program

Employee Training/ Wage Subsidy Programs

British Columbia Employer Training Grant
Cost-Share: 80%
Maximum Annual Funding: $10,000 per participant, up to $300,000 per employer
More info:
www.workbc.ca/find-loans-and-grants/industry-and-employers/bc-employer-training-grant

Alberta

No programming

Canada-Alberta Job Grant
Cost-Share: 66%
Maximum Funding: $10,000 per trainee per fiscal year
($15,000 at 100% funding per trainee for an unemployed Albertan)
More info:
https://www.alberta.ca/canada-alberta-job-grant.aspx

Small Community Opportunity Program
Skills training grants for Indigenous and small communities, as well as non-profit groups to build capacity in the agriculture industry and small business sectors
Cost Share: 90%
Maximum Funding: $20,000-$100,000 per project
More info: www.alberta.ca/small-community-opportunity-program

Saskatchewan

Future Farmer Program
Cost-Share: Unknown
Maximum Funding: Covers mentee travel, training, expenses and related costs associated with the mentorship program.
More info: https://agribition.com/get-involved/next-gen-program/

Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant
Cost-Share: 66%
Maximum Funding: $10,000 per trainee per fiscal year, maximum of up to $100,000 per employer
More info:
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/hire-train-and-manage-employees/apply-for-the-canada-saskatchewan-job-grant

Manitoba

No programming

Canada-Manitoba Job Grant
Cost-Share: up to 75% for employers with <100 employees, up to 50% for employees with >100 employees
Maximum Funding: $10,000 per training participant, maximum of up to $100,00 per employer
More info: https://www.gov.mb.ca/jec/busdev/financial/cmjg/index.html

Ontario

No programming

Canada-Ontario Job Grant
Cost-Share: up to 84% for employers with <100 employees, up to 50% for employers with >100 employees,
Maximum Funding: $10,000 per trainee
http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/eopg/cojg/

Quebec

Programme services-conseils 2023-2028
(les réseaux Agriconseils)
Cost-Share: 50% – 75%
Maximum Funding: $20,000 over the life of the program

Hiring a consultant to assist with:

  • Financial analysis and management
  • Marketing
  • Data organization
  • Human resource management
  • Local marketing
  • Farm Transfer and start-up plans

More info: https://agriconseils.qc.ca/

Information not available

New Brunswick

Business Planning, Skills Development
and Agriculture Education

Skills Development
Cost-Share: 70%
Maximum Funding: $3,000/project ($6,000 per year)

Business Planning
Cost-Share: 60% towards professional services
Maximum Funding: $10,000 per applicant per year

Associations and organizations are also eligible for assistance to champion training activities for their members.

More info: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/10/pdf/Agriculture/AgriculturePrograms-ProgrammeAgriculture/program-guidelines-lignes-directrices-du-programme/bpsdae-program-guidelines.pdf

Canada-New Brunswick Job Grant
Cost-Share: Unknown (The contribution amount is based on the Department level of funding)
Maximum Funding: $20,000 per employer per fiscal year
More info:
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/services/services_renderer.201466.Labour_Force_Training.html

Nova Scotia

Planning New Opportunities Program
Business Advisory Services Support
Cost-Share: 75%
Maximum Funding: $15,000 per program year. Farms with income <$30,000 are eligible for 75% to a maximum of $2,000 per program year.
More info: https://novascotia.ca/programs/planning-new-opportunities/

Agriculture Skills Student Bursary Program
Maximum Funding:
– $500 in year 1 for students who work 250 hours and $750 in year 2 and 3 for students who work 250 hours each additional year
– $1,000 in year 1 for students who work 500 hours and $1,500 in year 2 and 3 for students who work 500 hours each additional year
More info: https://novascotia.ca/programs/agriculture-skills-student-bursary/

Workplace Education Initiative
Maximum Funding: Provides 40 hours of training over approximately 10 weeks, customized to individual and organizational needs
Training on: Business Skills, Computerized Accounting, Financial Management, Google Workspace & Microsoft 365, Microsoft Office, Leadership & Communications, Sales & Marketing, Customer Service, Human Resources & Performance Management, Presentation Skills, Project Management, Social Media & Web Development
More info: https://novascotia.ca/lae/workplace-education/

Canada-Nova Scotia Job Grant
Cost-Share: 100% for year 1, 50% thereafter
Maximum Funding: $10,000 per fiscal year
More info:
https://novascotia.ca/programs/workplace-innovation-productivity-skills-incentive/

Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive
Businesses with 50 or fewer employees:
Minimum $5,000 in direct training costs, up to $100,000/fiscal. First $10,000 can be funded up to 100%/fiscal. Eligible costs over $10,000 can be funded up to 50%.

Businesses with 50 or more employees:
Minimum $10,000 in direct training costs, up to $100,000/fiscal. Funds up to 50% of eligible direct training costs.

Organizations, business associations and private sector unions: Minimum $10,000 in direct training costs. Funding may be available for administration costs as determined on a case-by-case basis.
More info: https://novascotia.ca/programs/workplace-innovation-productivity-skills-incentive/

START Program
Maximum: $25,000 per hire
Wage incentive and some of training and equipment costs for hiring unemployed Nova Scotians
More info: https://novascotia.ca/programs/start/

Prince Edward Island

Business Development Program
Agri-Skills
Cost-Share: 50%
Maximum Funding: $2,000/participant/fiscal year, $10,000 per farm entity for Agri-Skills training over the life of the Sustainable CAP Framework Agreement (2023-2028)

Young Farmers
Cost-Share: 75%
Maximum Funding: $3,000/farm operation, up to $3,000 per recipient for skill development and training expenses over the life of the Sustainable CAP Framework Agreement (2023-2028)

Groups
Cost-Share: 90%
Maximum Funding: $20,000 / project, $60,000 for Group Training activities over the life of the Sustainable CAP Framework Agreement (2023-2028)

All Farmers: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/agriculture-and-land/business-development-program-agriculture

Young Farmers: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/agriculture-and-land/future-farmer-program

Business Planning
Eligible items: Individual business planning, such as: Financial Assessments; Financial Action Plans; Risk Management Plans; Business Plans (for new entrants who are part of a bonafide farm operation); Feasibility Assessments; Cost-of-Production Analysis; Succession Plans; Organizational Strategic Plans; and Human Resource Plans, Online business self-assessment and goal setting; and Professional fees.
Cost-Share: 50%
Maximum Funding: $2,500-$10,000/project
More info: Business Development Program Guidelines

Skills PEI
Cost-Share: 50%
Maximum Funding: $5000/employee or up to $25,000 per application
More info: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/workplace-skills-training

Employ PEI
Cost-Share: 50% wage subsidy for 20 weeks while training new employee
Maximum Funding: $10,000
More info: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/employ-pei-for-employers

Newfoundland and Labrador

Agriculture Business Program
Cost-Share: Various
Maximum Funding: Various
More info: https://www.gov.nl.ca/ffa/sustainablecap/

Industry Development and Knowledge Transfer
Cost-Share: Up to 75%
Maximum Funding: up to $12,000/producer
More info: Sustainable CAP Program Guide

Canada-Newfoundland Labrador Job Grant
Cost-Share: 66%
Maximum Funding: $10,000 per year
($15,000 to train an unemployed person)
More info:
https://www.gov.nl.ca/ipgs/files/foremployers-canada-nl-job-grant-fact-sheet.pdf

Yukon

Agriculture Training Program
Cost-Share: 60%
Maximum Funding: $15,000 over the lifetime of the program (2023-2028)
More info: https://yukon.ca/en/doing-business/support-agriculture/apply-agriculture-funding#eligible-activities

Business Planning
Eligible costs: Hiring consultant services and purchasing business software
Cost-Share: up to 90% of eligible costs for the first $5,000; up to 60% of eligible costs for expenses beyond $5,000
Maximum funding: $20,000 over the lifetime of the program
More info: https://Yukon.ca/sustainablecap

Building Up Program
Cost-Share: Unknown
Maximum Funding: Unknown
Target audience: Organizational funding to carry out activities that strengthen labour market skills
More info: https://yukon.ca/en/building-up

Staffing Up Program
Cost-Share: wage subsidy or training costs 60% for an employee not paid while in training; 70% for an employee paid while in training; 80% for training a potential employee who is unemployed; or 90% for training a potential employee who is unemployed and/or a member of an under-represented group
Maximum Funding: Not Available
More info: https://yukon.ca/en/staffing-up

Internship Grants
Maximum Funding: $7,500 of eligible costs per year and up to a maximum of $22,500 over the lifetime of the program (2023-2028)
More Info: https://Yukon.ca/sustainablecap

Canada-Newfoundland Labrador Job Grant
Cost-Share: 66%
Maximum Funding: $10,000 per year
($15,000 to train an unemployed person)
More info:
https://www.gov.nl.ca/ipgs/files/foremployers-canada-nl-job-grant-fact-sheet.pdf

Northwest Territories

Canadian Agricultural Partnership
Business planning (consultant services) and business software
Cost-Share: 75-90%
Maximum Funding: Up to $5,000 ($100 applicant contribution for every $1,000 in funding), Above $5,000 up to 75% of costs, $20,000 program lifetime maximum
More info: https://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/en/services/agri-food-funding

Canada-Northwest Territories Job Grant
Cost Share: 66%
Maximum Funding: $10,000 per employee
More info: https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/sites/ece/files/resources/canada-northwest_territories_job_grant_brochure.pdf

Internship/Mentorship Grants
Maximum Funding: Up to 75% of intern wages to maximum of $7,500 per year and $22,500 program lifetime maximum
More info: https://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/en/services/agri-food-funding