1. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
May 2016
Kim Reep

2. Mandate OMAFRA’s five mandate priorities:
Supporting the Growth of the Agri-Food Sector;
Ensuring Sustainability of Agriculture;
Providing Business Supports to Farmers;
Expanding Agriculture in the North; and
Fostering Vibrant Rural Economies
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In 2015, the Ministry received its mandate letter from the Premier outlining five strategic priorities:
All priorities contribute to a vibrant Ontario, however, I’d like to share just a few project and program contributions that align best with the discussions we’re having today in relation to creating a Centre for Agriculture Excellence. This is by no means a fulsome list, but it does highlight some of the types of support and collaborations that have enabled growth.

3. creating or retaining over 2,200 jobs.
Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-Product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities
OMAFRA's programs and services led to $328 million invested in the food processing sector
creating or retaining over 2,200 jobs.
The ministry has a focus on fostering vibrant rural communities and supporting the growth of the agri-food sector. Working toward these goals, the Ministry offered a comprehensive set of programs to support good jobs, attract investment, and help the agri-food industry make an even greater contribution to Ontario's economic success.
OMAFRA's programs and services led to $328 million invested in the food processing sector, that resulted in creating or retaining over 2,200 jobs.

4. RED Program RED program
Ministry approved 96 projects across the province
provided $13.9 million in funding support to RED and RED-related projects
In , under the RED (Rural Economic Development program, the ministry approved 96 projects across the province and provided $13.9 million in funding support to RED and RED-related projects such as:
A pilot for an innovative prototype fueling hub to allow selected blends of farm-sourced bio-methane to be combined with pipeline natural gas and delivered as blended fuels for vehicles. This made-in-Ontario fueling hub aims to be a long-term sustainable business providing cost-effective, low carbon fuels to rural Ontario businesses with a slate of new jobs including skilled engineers, vehicle service technicians and new follow-on rural industry support positions.

5. Local Food Fund approved 79 projects in 2014-15.
The Fund is a key component of the government's Local Food strategy
support innovative projects that celebrate local food and economic growth in Ontario.
The program supported the industry with $9.7 million in funding.
One of the successful projects was The expansion of automated baking equipment and enhanced cold storage capacity and distribution for a bakery specializing in European pastries made with local dairy and fruit products. The project was very successful resulting in five new products lines, new and expanded markets beyond Ontario's borders and the creation of seven new full time jobs.

6. Wine and Grape Strategy
Ontario's $75 million Wine and Grape Strategy was renewed in March 2015 as part of the government's economic plan for Ontario.
These are few examples of contributions made through funding programs. Although that is often a key component to foster growth, OMAFRA also provides a number of other types of resources and supports.
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre was created in 2007, in response to recommendations stemming from the Vineland Renaissance Advisory Panel.
OMAFRA provided an initial grant of $12.5 million (announced April 3, 2007) and a further $12.5 million capital investment (March 2008). As well as advisory and strategic planning support.
And the Greater Toronto Area Agriculture Action Committee OMAFRA was a conduit during the early organization days. I had the pleasure of working with that group through the development of the Food and Farming Strategy and our branch and others have supported the Assets Mapping project which is currently underway
In addition:

7. Agri-Technology Commercialization Centre (ATCC)
Works in the areas of commercialization, business and market development in the agriculture, food and agri-product sectors.
ATCC provides access to networks of entrepreneurs, investors and service providers.
Ontario Agri-Food Technologies (OAFT) is a non-profit organization comprised of members from grower associations, universities, industry and government
Works in the areas of commercialization, business and market development in the agriculture, food and agri-product sectors.
The centre is open to clients all across Ontario who are involved in these sectors and provides access to networks of entrepreneurs, investors and service providers.
Under Growing Forward 2, a federal provincial partnership program, 17.9 million has been invested over 5 years.
By facilitating the development, commercialization and adoption of new technologies the ATCC is leading a more competitive agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector in Ontario.

8. Regional Economic Development Branch
Mission: Engage people in developing solutions that drive innovation and growth in rural Ontario and the agriculture and food systems
I work in the Economic Development Division of the ministry in the Regional Economic Development Branch. We have field staff all across the province divided into regions, North, East, West, Central/west.
I’d like to share with you how our work on the front line in rural communities can help foster growth and economic development.

9. REDB cont’d
Core Purpose: Develop and deliver leading edge economic development resources that support thriving rural agriculture and food economies

10. Our Program Resources Business Retention and Expansion
Community Economic Development 101
Community Immigrant Retention in Rural Ontario
Downtown Revitalization
Economic Development Analysis Resources
First Impressions Community Exchange
Performance Measurement Resources
Here is a list of programs we deliver. These programs in our “tool-kit” are revisited regularly and are updated, and adapted as needed through collaboration between economic development advisors staff from the program development and information services unit within the Regional Economic Development Branch.
OMAFRA has lead responsibility for programs that are primarily focused on the agriculture, aquaculture and food sector. Advisors take a stronger leadership role for the delivery of community based programs that have been adapted for a sectoral focus, for example a BR+E focussed on local foods
Business Retention and expansion is a process to help community leaders (municipal government, BIA, Chamber, sector leaders) to connect with each other, to take the pulse of the business environment, share common goals, work collectively on challenges and opportunities and set a strategic direction going forward.

11. Regional Local Food Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) project crossed into 9 jurisdictions and fostered numerous new partnerships in Eastern Ontario.
Collaboration between local government, non-government organizations, local food businesses, and stakeholders in the local food movement.
Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre in Northumberland County is the result of a inter-jurisdictional Local Food BR&E
The first of its kind; this (BR+E) project crossed into 9 jurisdictions and fostered numerous new partnerships in Eastern Ontario.
The project offered participants a unique opportunity to explore and develop relationships between: local government, non-government organizations, local food businesses, and stakeholders in the local food movement.
Two years have passed since the surveys were completed and recommendations developed, and each community continues to help Local Food Producers, Processors and Retailers find new markets, identify opportunities to increase revenue, to ultimately grow their businesses.
This project demonstrated how a number of jurisdictions can work in partnership to help develop the Local Food sector in ways that are specific to each community, while also making progress on a series of common regional goals.

12. I have shared just a few examples of programs and projects that OMAFRA has been involved with across the province.
I hope that as these discussions around a Center of Excellence for Agriculture & Food in Niagara move forward we might take some of the lessons learned and best practices from these and other projects and incorporate them as a model for success as we develop a made in Niagara plan for agriculture growth.