Beyond Production Agriculture
Business Information Bundle
Adding Value Takes Many Forms
Table of Contents
- Agri-tourism
- Specialty Crops
- Bioproducts
- Direct Marketing
- Fibre
- Community Supported Agriculture
- Organics
- Small-Scale Food Processing
How you add value depends on your farm business's unique qualities.
The possibilities are endless. What potential do you see for your
farm business?
Agri-tourism
Agri-tourism or agri-tainment is about attracting consumers to
a working farm for fun and education.
Developing an Agri-Tourism
Operation in Ontario factsheet - 16-029
Farm
Management Canada (FMC)
Publication: Cultivating
Agritourism - Tools and Techniques for Building Success
Managing Risk on Farms
Open to the Public - 15-005
North American Farmers' Direct
Marketing Association (NAFDMA)
Ontario Culinary Tourism
Alliance (OCTA)
Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing
Association (OFFMA)
Ontario
Farm and County Accommodations (OFCA)
Specialty Crops
Specialty crops have gained in popularity as some producers are
moving away from traditional crops due to market or environmental
changes. OMAFRA's Specialty Cropportunities website lists a number
of specialty or alternative crops that may be considered in your
value-added planning process.
Specialty Cropportunities
For the purposes of land use planning, specialty crop areas are
the highest priority agricultural lands for protection. They are
defined based on the predominance of specialty crops (e.g. tender
fruit), soils, skill of farmers, and long-term capital investment.
At this time, the province recognizes four specialty crops areas.
Bioproducts
Renewable domestic agricultural materials may be feedstocks used
in the manufacture of bioenergy, biofuel, biomaterials and/or biochemicals.
Bioproducts
Green Energy Opportunities
- An Introductory Guide for Ontario's Farmers, Food Processors and
Rural Communities
Direct Marketing
Direct farm sales take many forms:
- roadside stands
- on-farm shops
- pick your own
- contracts to a processor or store
- freezer cuts or side sales
- farmers' markets and
- internet marketing sites.
Direct Farm
Marketing Business Resources
Farmers' Markets Ontario
(FMO)
Ontario Culinary Tourism
Alliance (OCTA)
Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing
Association (OFFMA)
Fibre
Fibre products such as industrial hemp and wool present value-added
opportunities for Ontario producers.
Hemp in Ontario
Wool
Community Supported Agriculture
Community supported agriculture is another way to value-add a farm
product by selling "shares" to interested consumers who
in return receive farm products (fruits and vegetables are the most
common products, although some CSAs included meat, eggs and dairy
products as well).
CSA Resources for Farmers
Multi-farm
CSA Handbook
Ontario CSA Directory
Organics
Organic farming is seen as a steady growth market with many opportunities.
From a value-added opportunity, many farmers view organic farming
as one way to meet the challenges of modern day agriculture while
being profitable and personally rewarding. OMAFRA's organic page
provides information about organic production, certification and
the process of transitioning to organic.
Organics
Small Scale Food and Beverage Processing
Processing can add value to your farm business. Whether you want
to make jam or jellies from fruit products you grow, or soups from
vegetables, small scale food processing involves an investment in
research and marketing to ensure success.
Maple Syrup
Starting
a Food or Beverage Processing Business
Starting a
Winery in Ontario
