News-Sault Innovation Centre
Supplied by the Sault Innovation Centre…
Sault Ste. Marie (January 2, 2017): The Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) recently initiated a one-year program for farm and food businesses that are undergoing succession from one generation to the next or are starting a new farm or food venture. This program, known as Next Generation North, aims to increase the financial and planning abilities of successors and start-ups to gain skills needed to run more profitable farm and food businesses.

“Aging farmers, limited succession planning and barriers to entry are obstacles to growing the agri-food sector. Through this program, we will take businesses through a number of proactive activities and workshops for more resilient food and farm businesses,” said David Thompson, RAIN Project Coordinator.

In 2016, the Agri-Food Management Institute (AMI) released the “Dollars and Sense Study” completed by Ipsos Ag and Animal Health. The study highlights how business management activities were identified as key drivers that are playing a role in driving financial success among the most successful Canadian farms. Across 604 farms of all types and sizes and farmers of all ages across Canada in all sectors, the study revealed top seven habits of Canada’s best farmers:
1. Continuous learning was identified as the most significant driver of farm financial success
2. Using accurate financial data in business decision-making
3. Seeking the help of business advisors or consultants
4. Having a formal business plan
5. Knowing and monitoring cost of production
6. Assessing and managing risk
7. Using budgets and financial plans
To read the whole study, view the report here http://www.fmc-gac.com/publications/dollars-and-sense-measuring-tangible-impacts-beneficial-business-practices-canadian-far.

It is precisely these skill-sets that RAIN wants to increase through the Next Generation North program. Next Generation North will consist of a series of workshops with advisor support that will lead participants through a number of topics, including:
” Creating a business plan
” Generating and understanding financial data
” Assessing market feasibility and effective sales techniques for agriculture & food products
” Strategic partnerships and co-operative structures
” Funding programs for agriculture projects
” Farm tax issues
There will also be a number of special workshops on grazing management, season extension technologies, robot milking and a focused two-day workshop on adding value to agriculture products. Upcoming confirmed workshops include the four below. Visit www.rainalgoma.ca/ngn for full details.
1. Season Extension for Vegetable Production (High Tunnel/Greenhouse/Hoop Houses) – January 12, 2017. Registration deadline: January 6 (Workshop is $20+HST / includes lunch)
o Johnson Township Community Centre, Desbarats
o Presenter Collin Thompson, Michigan State University The North Farm, UP Research & Extension
2. Market Feasibility, Pricing and Effective Sales Strategies Workshop – January 28, 2017. Registration deadline: January 11 (Workshop is $20+HST / includes lunch)
o Laird Hall, Pumpkin Point Rd., Laird
o Presenters include Peggy Baillie (Local Food Coops Network) and Brian Bell (OMAFRA)
3. Farm Financial Management Workshop – February 11, 2017. Registration deadline: January 27 (Workshop is $20+HST / includes lunch)
o Bruce Mines Community Hall, Bruce Mines
o Facilitator and trainer, John Molenhuis, OMAFRA
4. Transition Smart Workshop – Farmers to Processors – February 24 & 25, 2017. Registration deadline: February 3
o Bruce Mines Community Hall, Bruce Mines
o An introduction to transitioning into processing on-farm
o In partnership with Agri-food Management Institute & Georgian College
o Facilitators:
” Amy Bracco (25-year career in food business development at Kellogg’s, Loblaw Brands Ltd, and George Brown/Georgian College)
” Steacy den Haan (Prime Ridge Pure – a small dairy farm in Grey County diversified with an on-farm cheese plant and began processing their own milk into farm fresh cheeses)
o The workshop is regularly offered at $299 plus HST, however thanks to support from Growing Forward 2, Ontario Trillium Foundation, the workshop is offered this year for $125 plus HST. Register here with Eventbrite.
Contact David Thompson to process your registration for the above workshops at dthompson@ssmic.com or 705-942-7927 x3027. Registration deadlines vary. For more information, visit www.rainalgoma.ca/ngn

This project was funded in part through Growing Forward 2 (GF2), a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Agriculture Adaptation Council assists in the delivery of GF2 in Ontario.