Business Structure Resources
The structure of a business is important for many reasons. While
taxation is often a prime concern for business owners, it should
not be the only reason to consider a particular legal structure.
Each kind of business structure has advantages and disadvantages.
As a business grows or business goals change, a particular business
structure may become more or less attractive.
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
Agricultural Information Contact Centre
Tel. 1-877-424-1300
Northern Ontario Regional Office toll free 1-800-461-6132
www.ontario.ca/agbusiness
Legal Structures
OMAFRA Factsheet 02-069 Farm
Business Joint Ventures
The joint venture is an ideal business structure when an arrangement
that is flexible and less formal than either a partnership or
corporation is needed.
OMAFRA Factsheet 10-031 Farm
Corporations
This Factsheet will help farm business owners to understand
the corporate structure and to decide if incorporation makes sense
for their farm business.
OMAFRA Factsheet 11-019 Farm
Business Partnerships
This Factsheet will help farm business owners understand the partnership
structure and decide if a partnership arrangement makes sense
for their farm business.
OMAFRA Factsheet 02-019 Forming
a Co-operative
The cooperative business structure is only one of a number of
structures that businesses can use.
OMAFRA Factsheet 02-017 New
Generation Co-operatives
New Generation Cooperatives are a variation on the traditional
co-op structure. They have been successfully used in a variety
of situations, most notably where agricultural producers wish
to gain ownership in value-added and further processing activities.
Other Business Structure Resources
University of Guelph
www.uoguelph.ca
Certified General Accountants of Ontario
www.cga-ontario.org
Certified Management Accountants
www.cma-ontario.org
Canadian Farm Business Management Council
www.farmcentre.com
- Agriculture and Agri-Business Structures: A Practical Guidebook
- Agribusiness Operating Agreements
Agribusiness eCampus
www.agribusinessecampus.com
The following OMAFRA staff contributed to the development of
the Growing Your Farm Profits Business Structure section:
Rob Gamble
Finance and Business Structures
rob.gamble@ontario.ca
John Molenhuis
Business Analysis and Cost of Production
john.molenhuis@ontario.ca
www.ontario.ca/agbusiness
