Funding Growth on Canada’s Agriculture Day
Sowing Success: How Canada’s Agriculture Day Helps Small Businesses Grow
Mark your calendars and grab your plaid shirts, Canada’s Agriculture Day is rolling around on February 11, 2025! This isn’t just an excuse to post pictures of your brunch on Instagram (though we fully support celebrating with a hearty farm-to-table meal). It’s a day to tip our hats to the hardworking folks who ensure our tables are full, our fridges stocked, and our bellies happy.
But beyond appreciation posts and hashtags, let’s talk about what this day means for small businesses in the agricultural sector. (Spoiler alert: It’s not just about tractors and cows, though we love a good tractor.)
What’s in it for Small Businesses?
Canada’s Agriculture Day is a timely reminder of the growth opportunities sprouting up for farmers, agri-businesses, and anyone who knows their way around a field (or at least a farmer’s market). And no, we’re not just talking about literal crops; those are also important. We’re talking about funding! Cold, hard cash in the form of government grants designed to help small businesses innovate, expand, and make their mark in the industry.
Enter Granted Consulting: Your Farming (Funding) Ally
Let’s be honest: navigating government grants can feel a lot like trying to herd cats. It’s confusing, frustrating, and way more time-consuming than it needs to be. That’s where we come in. We help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) cut through the red tape, identify funding opportunities, and get that sweet, sweet grant money without pulling your hair out.
We know the system, speak the lingo, and have a grant-winning track record. So, instead of spending hours deciphering eligibility criteria that might as well be written in hieroglyphics, why not let us handle it while you focus on what you do best? Growing your business.
A Few Grants That Might Just Make Your Day (And Your Bank Account Happier)
Agri-Food: Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP)
This federal program provides wage subsidies to employers hiring youth for projects that contribute to the Agri-Foods sector. The program covers up to 80% of wages (max $14,000) for hiring youth to gain career-relevant experience and up to 80% of costs (max $14,000). The grant aims to help young professionals gain career-relevant experience while learning from industry experts.
Food Safety Program
The Food Safety Program (FSP) funds 70% of costs (up to $25,000) for agriculture, food processing, transportation, warehousing, and distribution businesses to enhance food safety practices.
The program provides funding for on-farm and off-farm (processors and transportation) organizations to ensure that food safety practices are in place so that Canadians can benefit from improved safety measures. Funding of up to $25,000 is available for eligible organizations for projects including assessment, improvements, and certifications,
AgriTalent Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)
This federally funded program provides wage subsidies to agriculture employers hiring students for work-integrated learning experiences. It covers 70% of the student’s wages, up to $7,000. The program fosters connections between agriculture employers and post-secondary institutions, promotes diversity and innovation in the industry, and introduces students to career opportunities in agriculture they may not have previously considered.
So, How Do You Get Started?
Lucky for you, we’ve got options tailored to different needs:
GrantedPro: For established businesses that want the whole shebang, we handle applications, reporting, and everything in between.
GetGranted: A goldmine of a grant database for consultants, associations, and HR teams looking to maximise funding.
GrantedStarter: Designed for startups and small businesses that want to dip their toes into the grant world (without drowning in paperwork).
The Big Picture
Why does celebrating Canada’s Agriculture Day alongside Granted Consulting make sense? Highlighting the importance of agriculture means ensuring those who work in the industry have the support and resources they need to keep feeding the nation. More funding means more innovation, jobs, and a stronger agricultural sector overall.
So, whether you’re knee-deep in the soil every day or enjoy a good farm-fresh omelette, take a moment on February 11 to celebrate. And if you’re in the agri-business world, consider this your sign to explore funding opportunities.
Ready to grow your business? Take the first step by calculating your potential grant funding with our easy-to-use Grant Calculator. Let’s sow the seeds for your success today!
