The programme now offers:

More opportunities for new or beginning farmers – improved cost-share opportunities to help new farmers set their business goals, improve their farm-related skills and develop actionable business plans.

Additional support for leadership and governance skills – with the increasing complexity of modern farm businesses, these are the management skills that producers need to grow more profitably. Producers can now access funds specific to leadership and governance.

More Advanced Business Plans – up to $20,000 in additional cost-share funding to support the development of up to three different business plans for a farm business.

The Growing Forward Business Development for Farm Businesses programme encourages producers to incorporate best business management practices and develop business plans which would help them manage risk, increase profitability and promote sustainability to their farm businesses.

By combining self-assessment and action plan development with a range of costshare advisory services and skills development opportunities, this programme can help producers reach their farm business goals.