Four local fruit growing operations are receiving funding through a joint federal and provincial program.
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers announced that the federal and provincial governments are investing in 128 apple, tender fruit, and table grape producers across Ontario to grow more popular and resilient varieties of fruit.
The Growing Future Opportunities Initiative (GFOI), with funding through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), is supporting these projects through a $4.4 million investment.
In Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, the Growing Future Opportunities Initiative is supporting:
- Up to $50,000 for Apple Springs Orchards in Clarksburg
- Up to $49,997 for Filsinger’s Organic Ltd in Ayton
- Up to $50,000 for GH Lambe & Son Limited in Meaford
- Up to $50,000 for Vail’s Orchards Inc in Meaford
Growers are replanting more than 94 acres of apples and more than 60 acres of tender fruit and table grapes. The range of new fruit varieties being planted have greater appeal with changing consumer tastes, are more resilient, and have enhanced resistance to pests and diseases. These varieties include Coral Star and Summer Serenade peaches and Gala and Honeycrisp apples.
“This funding through the Growing Future Opportunities Initiative will enable our local apple producers to be more innovative and competitive in growing and marketing their product to increase yield, improve hardiness, resistance to pests and disease and greater appeal to consumers,” said Byers in a news release.
The initiative is a three-year, $8 million initiative providing eligible fruit producers with cost-share funding to purchase vines or trees of popular fruit varieties. Applications are still being accepted for tender fruit, table grapes and wine grapes.
Under the Growing Future Opportunities Initiative, eligible producers can receive 75 per cent of cost-share funding for plants.
The Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
“This initiative is just one way our government is supporting Ontario fruit growers, reinforcing their long-term competitiveness, and enhancing agritourism,” said Rob Flack, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, in a news release.
