New Farm Resources
Developed for the Exploring Your New Farm Dream Course
Exploring Your New Farm Dream is a course developed by the New England Small Farm Institute (NESFI) to help aspiring farmers learn what it would take to start and manage their own “farm dream” and decide whether this the right path for them. For a list of courses being offered in Ontario visit http://www.farmstart.ca/explorer.
Along with the workbook Exploring the Small Farm Dream and its Appendix of relevant resources, the NESFI website is also full of resources for new farmers. Especially useful are the Resources by Topic and New Farmer Q&A pages.
Below, to complement NESFI’s website, FarmStart has assembled a list of resources specific to Ontario. This list of resources is only a starting place. Remember, being a farmer means being an entrepreneur and making decisions based on in-depth research!
Hands-on Training & Experience
Goal Setting & Decision Making
Risk Assessment & Safety Issues
Other Helpful Organizations & Links
From case studies to general how-tos, here are a few good starting points for information on starting a farm business in Ontario.
FarmStart Farmer Case Studies Among other resources, you find a number of case studies of both new and established farmers.
Farmer Resource Directory Developed by Everdale’s Farmers Growing Farmers program, this directory lists everything from equipment suppliers to producer associations to helpful organizations, with a focus on Southern Ontario.
FarmCentre New Farmers Resources The Canadian Farm Business Management Council (CFBMC) is a national organization that develops farm management resources. Their website has a wide range of publications, a farm budget database, an online conference webinar series, and a section specifically for new farmers.
OMAFRA – Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs This is OMAFRA’s new Business Information Bundle for New Farmers that will help you navigate their website, which is full of helpful information if you know where to look. Particularly noteworthy is their Agricultural Information Contact Centre where agents are available to answer any agriculture related questions. Call 1-877-424-1300 or e-mail ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca. OMAFRA also has a number of topic-specific online newsletters that you can subscribe to.
“So You Want to Be a Farmer?” A Canadian publication that provides an introduction to farming, on everything from business models to farm organizations.
“Starting a Farm in Ontario”, OMAFRA publication 61. This source of information discusses such topics as the resources of the land (water, drainage, woodlot management, etc.), the farm business (preparing a business plan, record systems, business structures, etc.), crop production (field crop and horticulture) and livestock production. To obtain a copy of this or any other ministry publication Phone 1-800-668-9938 or Online www.serviceontario.ca/publications
Hands-on Training & Experience
Sources of information about on-farm and farmer-led training opportunities.
Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) Ontario CRAFT is made up of farms all across Ontario. Each farm hosts their own on-farm internship where individuals gain hands-on experience in farming. Interns also participate in field trips to different CRAFT farms to learn about topics like crop rotation, livestock management, marketing and much more!
Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) The EFAO offers a series of great farmer led courses and workshops on ecological farming topics. They also coordinate farm tours, kitchen table meetings, a free phone advisory service, publish a bimonthly newsletter titled Ecological Farming, provide an on-farm advisory service, and publish farmers’ market prices for meat and vegetables on their website. In sum, the EFAO is a truly great resource for any new farmer pursuing ecological agriculture.
Everdale Organic Farm and Environmental Learning Centre A participant in the CRAFT Ontario network (above), Everdale offers on-farm internships as part of their Organic Farming Certificate program, as well as a farm business planning course (under Business Planning, below).
Step Up Program The Canadian Farm Business Management Council’s Step Up Program offers on-farm paid work placements that match experienced farm managers with young people just starting their farming careers.
WWOOF Canada World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a program that supports people to stay and work on organic farms across Canada. This is a great way to get some hands-on experience on different farms!
Goal Setting & Decision Making
Guidance for establishing goals for your farm and strategies for decision-making.
Holistic Management courses in Ontario A Whole-Farm Decision-Making Framework that has been steadily growing in popularity in the prairies as a way of helping farm families harmonize Environmental, Social and Financial goals and make progress towards them. Tony and Fran McQuail from Meeting Place Organic Farm are now offering Holistic Management courses in Ontario.
Risk Assessment & Safety Issues
“Managing Farm Business Risk” This free pfd resource is a practical tool for farm managers to plan for and respond to the risks that they find in managing their business.
“Managing Risks on Farms Open to the Public” This OMAFRA factsheet is written for all farm businesses that invite customers onto the farm for activities such as direct farm marketing, pick-your-own (PYO), group functions, food service, and sales of value-added or retail products.
Food SafetyThis OMAFRA web page includes information on regulations, traceability and available funding.
“Small Farm Regulations” a comprehensive overview of the different federal, provincial and municipal regulations relevant to small and mid-scale farming in Ontario
Information about acquiring land tenure and other resources, and evaluating your land resources.
“Accessing Land for Farming in Ontario” is a practical guidebook designed to facilitate preliminary discussion between a farm seeker and a farmland owner. The guidebook helps both parties think through the many choices they have and questions they should address, in order to arrive at the best possible arrangement.
FarmLINK.net At the heart of this website is a Matchmaker tool, which brings together new farmers who are looking for land and/or mentorship and farm owners who have land available and/or expertise to share. FarmLINK is also developing an on-line resource collection.
Farm Property Class Tax Program This program allows eligible properties to be taxed at the Farm Property Class tax rate of 25% of the municipal residential tax rate. To be eligible for the program participants must be part of a farm business with $7,000, or more, gross farm income and have a valid Farm Business Registration (FBR) number. There is a Start-Up Exemption for those just starting and without an FBR number. Contact Agricorp to find out more about getting an FBR number.
Characteristics that Comprise a Viable Farmstead This handout developed by Just Food Ottawa provides a very comprehensive checklist of things to look for in a farm.
OMAFRA – Business Arrangement and Agreements provides information on Business Arrangements (Partnerships, Cooperatives, Joint Ventures) and Business Agreements (lease, crop share), including blank templates for different kinds of lease agreements.
Ontario Farmland Trust A non-government, non-profit, charitable organization that has been established to work with farmers, rural communities and other interested parties to promote the protection of farmland in the province of Ontario.
Soil surveys of Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada provides soil surveys for the different counties in Ontario to download. Printed maps can also be ordered ($40 black and white, $50 colour, price is reduced to $10 and $20 for additional purchases).
Information to help you evaluate and choose enterprises (products or services) for your farm.
Canadian Farm Business Management – Farm Budget Database This database includes over 1,500 crop and livestock budgets from across Canada.
Canadian Organic Growers (COG) is a national organization with chapters across Canada. COG has published several production handbooks (ex: Organic Livestock Handbook, Crop Rotation on Organic Farms, etc.), distributes a quarterly magazine The Canadian Organic Grower, and has a public lending library you can access over mail!
OMAFRA – Factsheets & Budgets The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs’ (OMAFRA) website has an incredible number of enterprise-specific Factsheets including a whole section on organic agriculture. Start by picking a topic from this list (ex, Crops or Livestock): http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/ag.htm or look through the many crop-specific budgets.
Producer Associations There is likely a producer association for whatever enterprise you’re considering! They can help you find out more about their industry and may even provide you with connections to relevant training opportunities, events and lists of farmers and suppliers. (Ex: Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association, Ontario Dairy Sheep Association, Ontario Beekeepers’ Association, ect.) Many but not all of these are listed here: http://www.adaptcouncil.org/e/members/members.php
Information to help you research potential customers and revenue potential of your proposed farm enterprises.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) This website contains information about economic forecasts and statistics, policies and acts, incentive programs and other services, for across Canada. You’ll find information for producers on organic production, with industry and census information.
Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Maps These maps locate farms that are selling locally, and are often organized by regional health authorities in many Ontario counties.
Eat Wild.com A website dedicated to food and facts on grass-fed livestock that includes a Canadian database of farms selling grass-fed products.
Farmers’ Market Ontario (FMO) FMO offers support for starting up new farmers’ markets, as well as providing a list of existing Ontario farmers’ markets on their website.
Guelph Organic ConferenceThis annual four-day conference features a 150-booth organic trade show and a full schedule of seminars on organic production, marketing, business management and training. A great place to network!
Local Food Organizations are involved in many ventures including training, farm tours, culinary maps, feast events, and farm markets. Find your local organization to learn out about local marketing opportunities!
Ontario CSA Farm Directory If you’re interested in running a CSA, this is a great website to connect with other CSA farms to see how they market and run their operation.
Slow Food Canada An international organization dedicated to good food, heritage varieties and local farmers. Through their different Ontario Convivias they host events that bring together farmers, eaters, chefs and others! This is a great organization to learn about food trends, specialty breeds and varieties.
Statistics Canada You can search for census information by region through the site’s Community Profiles. These can help you find all sorts of valuable market research information, from population numbers to education and income levels.
Information about the many ways you can sell your farm products with an emphasis on marketing directly to customers.
Considerations for Different Marketing Options lists things to consider about different marketing options (CSA, farmers markets, restaurants, ect.)
“Cultivating Agritourism: Tools & Techniques for Building Success” A publication designed to help farmers evaluate, plan and manage successful agritourism business opportunities.
“Marketing on the Edge: A Marketing Guide for Progressive Farmers” A publication that introduces direct marketing and on-farm processing.
“10 Web Marketing Tips for Farmers” A great local resource if you’re thinking about how to use the web to market!
Information to help you access financing (loans, grants) and manage your farm finances.
Demystify your Banker! A guide developed by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDBC) for entrepreneurs seeking a loan from their bank: what your loan proposal should contain, what your banker looks for, common bank terms, and tips to increase your chances of success.
Farm Credit Canada is Canada’s largest provider of loans and other financial services to farms and agribusiness, though they are accustomed to dealing with conventional farm businesses and individuals who were raised on a farm.
Growing Forward Programs – OMAFRA/OSCIA The Growing Forward Framework Agreement is the most recent federal-provincial cost-share agreement. The agreement makes funding available to farmers through a number of programs including the Environmental Farm Plan and (EFP) and Growing your Farm Profits (GYFP). The EFP program involves preparing an assessment of your farm through a workshop process, highlighting your farm’s environmental strengths, identifying areas of environmental concern, and setting action plans with time tables to improve environmental conditions. The program can provide financial support for implementing those changes. The GYFP involves a similar process that assesses your farm business management practices and can provide cost-shared funding for training and certain business development cost. The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) delivers both programs.
“Programs and Services for Ontario Farmers” This OMAFRA Factsheet is a summary of programs and services currently available to Ontario farmers that are funded by the Ontario and/or Canadian governments.
Sources of Business Start-Up Money An overview of different sources of business start-up, from family and friends to government programs!
Types of Loans An introduction to three different types of loans: Small Business loans, Low/No Interest Loans and Government Guaranteed Loans.
“Your Guide to Small Business” Developed by the Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services, this guide is an information resource to help identify the things one needs to do before, during and after launching a business. The guide includes comprehensive lists of resources, government programs and financing options.
Information to help you prepare a farm business plan.
Everdale Organic Farm and Environmental Learning Centre is an organic farm and learning center offering farming internships as well as their Farmers Growing Farmers (FGF) program. The program includes a farm business planning course, one-on-one farmer mentoring, and support in finding land.
“Farm Business Planning: Understanding, Preparing & Using” All the elements of a business plan are described in this simple guide developed by the Canadian Farm Business Management Council, including the business profile, the operational plan, the marketing plan, the human resources plan and the financial plan. Includes a CD-ROM.
FarmCentre Business Planning Resources lists a number of helpful information sources.
Other Helpful Organizations & Links
British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture Their website features hundreds of enterprise budgets in addition to lots of other valuable business related information such as templates for business plans and lease agreements.
Cyber-Help for Organic Farmers in Canada This website is full of relevant links from crop and livestock production to marketing and food safety information.
FarmStart is an organization dedicated to supporting new farmers through their farm incubator program, a new comers farm start-up program, a variety of business planning and technical courses and workshops, the FarmLINK program, and more.
General Farm Organizations All farms in Ontario are registered with one of the province’s three farm organizations: the National Farmer’s Union (NFO-O), the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), and the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO).
Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC) conducts organic farming research and provides knowledge transfer and extension services for organic farmers. They publish technical research bulletins and offer web based courses in organic agriculture.
Organic Council of Ontario (OCO) is a non-profit association representing the organic sector in Ontario. On their website you’ll find lots of information pertaining to the organic sector – statistics, information on certification, and a Directory where you can search for a wide range of products and services.
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