CLARENCE CREEK – For the third consecutive year, the Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens (UCFO) and the Fondation franco-ontarienne (FFO) are offering a helping hand to the next generation of farmers. This year, a minimum amount of $13,000 will be awarded to the selected applicants.
The UCFO is dedicated to supporting and encouraging the next generation of farmers, and the Fonds de la relève agricole franco-ontarienne was created with this in mind by the late Pierre Bercier, a former president of the UCFO from 2002 to 2006. It is through young producers starting a farm operation or taking over the family business that rural communities remain vibrant and alive.
Two types of awards will be granted to the next generation of farmers. The Business Project awards are intended to help funding two specific agri-food projects, while the Admission/Studies awards will be granted to two young adults studying in a field related to agriculture, in French. The awards are worth $6,000 and $500, respectively.
“This award is a further step towards the financial stability of our business, by allowing us to make additional investments more quickly than we first thought,” said Jan-Daniel Etter, 2016 recipient in the Business Project category. “This award gives us the means to speed up the development of our business and guarantee the quality of our product.”
The application forms are available at ucfo.ca. The contest ends on Aug. 8, 2017 at 4 p.m.
Recipients will be presented their awards at the Relève agricole golf tournament on Sept. 15 at Nation Golf Club. Proceeds will go to the Fonds de la relève agricole franco-ontarienne. Invitations are at ucfo.ca.
