10 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | May/June 2024 Beyond the Barn FARM GROUPS SUPPORTING LIMIT INCREASE Farm organizations continue to react positively to another increase in the interest-free portion of the Advanced Payments Program (APP). In March, federal ag minister Lawrence MacAulay confirmed that the 2024 interest-free limit to the APP would be $250,000. The program is available for over 500 crop and livestock products in Canada, allowing farmers to access cash advances up to $1,000,000. Advances are calculated as 50 per cent of the anticipated market value of the product. In recent years, exceptional circumstances saw the government increase the interest-free portion of the advance from $100,000 to $250,000 in 2022 and $350,000 in 2023. “In the face of so many challenges, our hardworking producers continue to show their resilience and produce top-quality products for Canadians, and the world. Increasing the interest-free portion of the APP means improved cash flow and savings for farmers as we head into the 2024 planting season,” said MacAulay. The interest-free portion was anticipated to return to $100,000 for the 2024 year and ag groups have been lobbying to maintain it at $350,000. “The APP is a useful tool for producers and the increased interest-free portion provides welcome relief to keep our sector economically competitive in an unsteady economic environment,” said Nathan Phinney, Canadian Cattle Association president. “This sustained increase comes at a time when producers need all economic levers at their disposal to increase food security and economic competitiveness.” Rick White, president and CEO at Canadian Canola Growers Association, said the "program enhancement is welcome news for farmers, saving them thousands in interest.” BF - Emily Croft An ag event popular in other parts of the country is coming to Saskatchewan. This Aug. 10 and 11, farmers in the province will host members of their local community in Saskatchewan’s inaugural Open Farm Days. Organized by Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan, this event sees participating producers engage with people from urban neighbourhoods about agriculture, how farms work and how food ends up on grocery store shelves. In addition, Open Farm Days provides an opportunity for on-farm sales. In Alberta, for example, more than 100 farms participated in 2023. In total, on-farm sales during the event in 2023 reached $299,000. That’s up from $224,000 in 2022. Since it started in 2012, Alberta Open Farm Days has generated more than $1.4 million in on-farm sales. With 2024 being the first year for Saskatchewan’s Open Farm Days event, organizers looked to farmers from other parts of Canada, like Tammara Maher, who have participated in similar events. Maher owns Collective Joy Farm, an indoor farm in Kingston, Ont., that produces microgreens, herbs and local food. She took part in the Kingston/ South Frontenac Open Farm Days for the first time in 2023 and found it to be a rewarding experience. “I did a free open house where I showed people how I grow microgreens,” she told Better Farming. “This kind of event connects people to their food in a very tangible way and it goes beyond just supporting a local business; it also helps them understand what local food means. I think that’s very powerful.” The deadline for Saskatchewan farmers to register for Open Farm Days is May 31. Maher encourages producers to get involved. “Farmers are busy and welcoming people to the farm can seem like an inconvenience, but it’s a great opportunity to get new customers and have an opportunity to impact the way someone thinks about local food.” BF - Diego Flammini OPEN FARM DAYS COMING TO SASK. Farm & Food Care photo Open Farm Days has producers engaging with non-farmers.
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