Cannabis growers in Ontario can now apply for agricultural grants

Cannabis growers in Ontario are now able to apply for various agricultural grants which will help them significantly cut down the production costs.

It’s a good day for farmers all across Ontario, especially for those growing cannabis as their primary crop.

Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture has announced that cannabis growers in the province will now be able to apply for a variety of federal and provincial grants.

This will be huge for all federally licensed growers, as many of them have found a home in Ontario — of 163 licensed facilities nationwide, Ontario is home to nearly half.

Growers can see the full list of grants for production, as well as the full list of grants for those in the processing business.

Easy to apply

These grants are funded by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a $3 billion CAD ($2.2 billion USD) initiative that supports agricultural businesses in Canada.

The application process isn’t hard at all. All you’ll need to apply for one of these grants is:

1. A legal farm business that manufactures agricultural products.
2. An ‘Ontario Farm Business Registration Number‘ (FBRN) or eligible exemption (if any) for the farm business.
3. A valid Premises Identification (PID) Number.
4. Some focus areas need participation in an Environmental Farm Plan, Growing Farm Profits or Biosecurity workshop.

Growers can also apply for federal grants that have been available to them since the day marijuana was legalized in October 2018.

It’s important to note that the companies planing to produce cannabis infused edibles and beverages are not yet eligible for these grants.

“Manufacturers of cannabis beverages or edibles would not be eligible in intake three because they are not legal yet, but medicinal and recreational growers/manufacturers are eligible to apply now,” said Dave McLeod of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture.

These grants will mostly benefit growers, which will be able to apply for grants such as the equipment modifications to reduce soil compaction grant (CA$10,000), technology and equipment grant to improve labor productivity, which totals at CA$100,000.