FAQ for the Renewal Programming

What is this Renewal programming about?
What type of tools does Renewal offer farmers?
What type of advisory services will be offered to farmers?
What is the skills development and training assistance program that will be offered?
How will Renewal help those farmers just starting off in the industry?

Q. What is this Renewal programming about?

A. Renewal is about providing farmers with:

• the skills, knowledge and tools to help them succeed in farming;
• access to advice on increasing profitability through new business opportunities and value-added activities; and
• opportunities to help improve the farm family incomes and make informed choices about sources of income.

The range of tools and services will be useful to farmers in any situation, and whether they are beginning or near retirement, operating a small or large farm, managing a livestock or cash crop operation.

Q. What type of tools does Renewal offer farmers?

A.Among the useful tools is a benchmark web site (http://www.agr.gc.ca/compare) that allows farmers to compare financial performance of their operations with those similar in size and scope. A CD ROM version is available to those who don't want to input financial information on this secure web site by calling 1 866 452-5558.

In addition, the following web site (http://www.agr.gc.ca/ren/serv/supp_e.cfm) provides one-stop access to links to government services and programs, mentoring sites and information on farm clubs.

Q. What type of advisory services will be offered to farmers?

A. A key element of the renewal programming is to improve the network of advisory services that provide information farmers can use when making decisions related to their business operation.

The Canadian Farm Business Advisory Services (CFBAS) and Planning and Assessment for Value-added Enterprise will provide access to a network of consultants, including business management specialists, agricultural, technical and marketing specialists.

Q. What is the skills development and training assistance program that will be offered?

A. This program is still being developed. The intent of this program is to help farmers increase their family income. The program will offer assistance for skills development and access to training which could result in increased on-or-off-farm income. Assistance would be provided to access training such as in business management, accounting, finance, human resource management, or training for other employment, or to acquire the skills for starting a new business. In essence, it will provide services similar to those available to non-farm Employment Insurance recipients.

Q. How will Renewal help those farmers just starting off in the industry?

A. Developed during the Farm Business Assessment of CFBAS, an action plan will be developed which can help beginning farmers manage change and the future direction of their farming operations. In addition, beginning farmers will also receive up three days of consultative follow-up.

The skills assessment and learning assistance program will be accessible to eligible beginning farmers and can include support for on-farm skills development.

With funding from Renewal, the Canadian Farm Business Management Council will provide business tools and services designed for beginning farmers.

The Farm Improvement and Marketing Cooperatives Loan Act is being reviewed to determine ways that would better serve beginning farmers.

The Agricultural Services web site provides information on mentoring programs for beginning farmers.