Halton Region has announced the details surrounding the second Agricultural Forum at the Halton Region Museum in Milton, Ont. This free session will provide important details on funding opportunities for Ontario farms, including horse farms.

A release promoting the event states that this year’s event will focus on several key funding opportunities that are available to farmers, food processors, other agri-product processors and related associations and organizations.

“Halton Region is committed to supporting and preserving our active and vibrant farming community,” Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr said in the release. “This year’s Agricultural Forum will not only provide members of the farming community with an opportunity to network with peers, but it will also give them a chance to learn about some of the additional funding sources that are available and how they can use these resources to make a difference with their operation.”

The contents of the release appear below.

Halton Region to focus on agricultural funding opportunities at second Agricultural Forum

On Thursday, January 30, 2014, Halton Region will host the second Agricultural Forum at the Halton Region Museum in Milton. This year’s event will focus on several key funding opportunities that are available to farmers, food processors, other agri-product processors and related associations and organizations.

“Halton Region is committed to supporting and preserving our active and vibrant farming community,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “This year’s Agricultural Forum will not only provide members of the farming community with an opportunity to network with peers, but it will also give them a chance to learn about some of the additional funding sources that are available and how they can use these resources to make a difference with their operation.”

The lineup for the session includes four keynote presentations:

• Paul Reeds, PAg, Regional Program lead, Ontario Soil and Crop Association
  Growing Forward 2
• Peter Ilnyckyj, Business Development Consultant, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
  Growing Forward 2 (processors)
• Susan Powell, Economic Development Consultant, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
  Local Food Fund
• Franco Naccarato, Program Manager, Greenbelt Fund
  Greenbelt Fund

Light refreshments will be provided. The forum will be held free of charge. To register or learn more about the event, please visit halton.ca/farm, dial 311, or contact Anna DeMarchi-Meyers at 905-825-6000, ext. 7574.

The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 500,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; paramedic services; waste management; public health; social assistance; children’s and seniors’ services; housing services; heritage programs; emergency management and economic development. For more information, dial 311 or visit Halton Region’s website at halton.ca.